Depth Charge

Open-top boats that slide down a water flume - lighter than Tidal Wave, still gets you wet.

About Depth Charge

Depth Charge is a water slide ride at Thorpe Park in which riders sit in open-top boats and slide down a flume, splashing into a pool at the bottom. The format is simpler and less dramatic than Tidal Wave - the boats are smaller, the drop is shorter, and the overall intensity is lower - but the ride reliably gets riders wet and is accessible to a wider range of visitors due to its lower minimum height.

The ride has a military/nautical theme consistent with its name and is positioned in one of the park's outdoor areas. It runs multiple boats simultaneously on parallel tracks, which gives it reasonable throughput and keeps queue times lower than many other water rides.

What to Expect

Depth Charge is gentle enough to be a family ride but still produces a notable splash at the bottom. Riders sitting in the front of the boat typically get wetter than those at the back. The ride is short - the experience from top to bottom takes less than a minute - but it is a fun, low-pressure option between the more intense attractions.

On warm days the queue can grow, but the parallel-track design means it moves faster than it looks. On cold or wet days this ride is usually near-empty.

Tips for Depth Charge

• Milder than Tidal Wave. If you want a water ride but don't want the full soaking that Tidal Wave guarantees, Depth Charge is a better choice - though you should still expect to get damp.
• Good for mixed groups. The lower height requirement (1.0m) and moderate intensity make it suitable for groups that include younger children not yet tall enough for the major rides.
• Sit at the back to stay drier. The front of the boat catches the most water at the splash point. Rear seats are noticeably drier, though not fully dry.
• Fast queue movement. Multiple simultaneous boats means the line moves quickly. Often less of a wait than the queue length suggests.

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