Tidal Wave

A large boat ride with a 26m drop - riders and spectators on the bridge above both get drenched.

Is Tidal Wave open today?

Tidal Wave is currently closed as of 20:02 UK time. This is normal outside opening hours, and also happens for weather or short technical stops during the day. Check the live status above through the day — it updates every couple of minutes.

See live waits for every ride →

How tall is Tidal Wave and will I get wet?

Tidal Wave drops from 26 metres and will soak you - it is one of the tallest water rides in the UK. A boat climbs the lift, then plunges down the chute into a wave that drenches riders and often the crowd on the viewing bridge. The minimum height to ride is 1.2m. Check live Tidal Wave queue times, updated every 2 minutes.

About Tidal Wave

Tidal Wave is Thorpe Park's large shoot-the-chute ride, manufactured by Hafema. Riders board a large circular boat that travels along a water channel before being hauled up a lift hill to 26 metres. At the top, the boat releases and slides down the flume at speed, hitting the water at the bottom and sending a wave outward in every direction.

What makes Tidal Wave distinctive is the scale of the splash. A walkway bridge crosses directly over the splash zone, and spectators standing on it - as well as anyone watching from the nearby seating area - can expect to get as wet as the riders. On busy summer days the bridge is a destination in itself for groups who want to watch and get soaked without queuing for the ride.

What to Expect

The ride itself is not particularly intense by thrill ride standards - the drop is large but the boat is heavy and stable, and there are no inversions or significant speed. The primary experience is the drop, the anticipation beforehand, and the cold shock of the wave at the bottom. In warm weather this is extremely popular; on cold days it becomes one of the quieter rides in the park.

Getting wet is not optional - even riders trying to stay dry using ponchos typically end up with at least wet feet and legs. Don't ride Tidal Wave if you're not willing to spend the rest of the day with wet clothes, or if you've stored anything water-sensitive on your person.

Tips for Riding Tidal Wave

• Ride on hot days. On a warm summer day, Tidal Wave's queue is long and the drenching is welcome. On cold or wet days, you'll walk straight on and may regret it immediately.
• Bring a poncho - or don't bother. Ponchos from the park shop reduce some splash but not all. Some riders prefer to accept the soaking rather than half-heartedly resist it.
• Leave valuables in a locker. Phones, wallets, and anything else that can't get wet should be secured before boarding. The splash is unpredictable in direction and volume.
• The bridge is worth visiting even without riding. Standing on the walkway as a boat drops underneath is one of the more entertaining spectator moments at the park, especially with a group.
• Queue times spike in hot weather. Check the live queue page - on a 25°C day this can hit 45+ minute waits. Ride early morning or late afternoon when the sun has cooled.

When to Ride Tidal Wave

Tidal Wave runs the most weather-dependent queue in the park. On a hot July afternoon it can post 45 minutes as everyone seeks the same soaking; on a cool overcast day the boats go out half-empty. The strategy writes itself: on hot days ride before noon or accept the wait, and on mild days enjoy one of the best effort-to-thrill ratios anywhere - just bring a change of clothes.

Crucially, think about when in your day to get wet. Being drenched at 11am on a warm day is refreshing; the same soaking at 5pm in September is a miserable end to a visit. Most regulars save Tidal Wave for the final stretch of a summer day, or ride early and dry off on the walk to the next coaster. The forecast page tells you which kind of day you are dealing with.

Good to Know Before You Queue

Let there be no ambiguity: you will not be splashed, you will be saturated. The 26-metre drop throws a wall of water back over the boat, and the bridge by the splashdown gives spectators a second dousing that catches out hundreds of people a day (stand there deliberately - it is free and hilarious). Phones and anything electronic should go in a locker or a dry bag, no exceptions.

Paid drying pods sit near the exit; on cool days budget for them or bring spare layers, because wet denim at 16°C ruins afternoons. The ride itself is simple - a slow climb, a turn, one huge drop - so the 1.2m minimum height and the gentle pacing make it a family favourite. Milder alternatives if the soaking sounds excessive: Storm Surge gets you damp, Depth Charge merely splashed.

Tidal Wave: common questions

How big is the drop on Tidal Wave?

Tidal Wave drops riders down a 26-metre shoot-the-chute descent into a trough of water, throwing up a wave that soaks the boat and much of the surrounding walkway. It is one of the wettest rides in the UK.

Do you get wet on Tidal Wave?

Yes — very. Unlike a gentle log flume, Tidal Wave is designed to drench you. Expect to be soaked through, so bring a poncho or a change of clothes, or use the on-site dryers afterwards.

What is the minimum height for Tidal Wave?

The minimum height to ride Tidal Wave is 1.2m. See the full height restrictions guide.

Tidal Wave queue times - what the data shows

Across 117 recorded park days, Tidal Wave has averaged a 24-minute wait. The quietest hour is typically 21:00 and the busiest 14:00. The longest wait we have recorded was 115 minutes on Tuesday, 14 July 2026.

Figures come from this site's own record of the park's live wait-time system, sampled every 2 minutes since May 2026. See the full daily archive.

Average Tidal Wave wait by hour of day

Blue = 20 min or under, orange = 21-60 min, navy = over 60 min.

Average Tidal Wave wait by day of the week

Average Tidal Wave wait by month

← All Rides  |  Visitor Guide