Shipwreck Island in Panama City Beach is a Family Fun Center

Shipwreck Island is a waterpark in Panama City Beach, Florida, the only waterpark in the town, which is located on the Gulf of Mexico on the Florida Panhandle. The tropical-themed park opened in 1983 and features 20 acres of lush landscaping surrounding a variety of water-themed attractions. The park has a "shipwreck'' theme and is easily identifiable by the giant island and sinking ship that sits at its entrance.

Shipwreck Island Waterpark includes about a dozen attractions that are suitable for a variety of ages. Slides and flumes are the most popular features of the park. Three of them are classified as thrill rides. They include Tree Top Drop, two slides that emerge from a 65-foot platform. One side of the ride is a dark tube that drops onto a free fall slide and the other is an enclosed twisting tube slide. Other thrill rides include the Pirate's Plunge dueling racing slides, where visitors can challenge each other to see who reaches the bottom first; and The Rapid River Run, a 300 foot-long white water inner tube run that takes riders through lots of twists and turns, ending in a 50-foot splash down.

For those less likely to enjoy extreme water rides, there are plenty of attractions at Shipwreck Island Waterpark in Panama City Beach that are suitable for all members of the family. White Knuckle River is a family-sized twisting inner tube ride that can accommodate all members of the family in one large tube. The Lazy River is a relaxing ride down a shallow "river'' featuring tubes of various sizes that fit all ages. The Ocean Motion Wave Pool is a 500,000 gallon pool that generates plenty of three-foot-high waves for a cooling experience sans seaweed, jellyfish, and other ocean creatures. The Great Shipwreck, the park's centerpiece, is a replica on an old 17th century sailing ship that features cable swings and plunges into the cool pool below. The Zoom Flume, the park's very first ride, is still one of its most popular and includes three flumes that conform to the hilly landscape and empty into a refreshing pool at the end of the ride. Finally, Skull Island is a family-friendly pool that includes a number of water features such as cannons, fountains, waterfalls, and small slides.

A kids-only area, known as Tadpole Hole, features tiny-size attractions that are appropriate for the park's youngest visitors. Animal-themed slides and an old submarine children can play in and around are part of this section of the park.

Food and refreshment stands are located throughout the park and sell typical amusement park fare like pizza, burgers, hot dogs, and chicken. Lockers and changing rooms are available and a small gift shop sells items guests may have forgotten to bring along, like goggles and sunscreen.

Shipwreck Island Waterpark is open Saturdays in May and daily from Memorial Day to mid-August. The park remains open on weekends until the end of September. A flat-fee admission includes access to all the attractions.