Five Craziest Waterslides Worldwide

For thrill-seekers, waterslides offer a rush of adrenaline unlike any other. Whether it’s a nearly vertical drop, spinning through enclosed tubes, or sliding at breakneck speeds, the world’s craziest waterslides are designed to push the boundaries of both fear and fun. From the highest vertical plunges to gravity-defying loops, here are five of the most insane waterslides worldwide that will make your heart race and your scream echo:

1. Insano – Fortaleza, Brazil

Height: 135 feet (41 meters)

Located in Fortaleza’s Beach Park, Insano was once the tallest waterslide in the world. Standing at a staggering 135 feet (equivalent to a 14-story building), this slide sends riders hurtling down a nearly vertical drop at speeds of up to 65 miles per hour (105 km/h). The experience lasts only a few seconds, but for those brave enough to take the plunge, those seconds feel like an eternity. At the bottom, the slide flattens out, giving riders a chance to catch their breath—if they haven’t lost it already. Insano remains one of the most extreme waterslides for adrenaline junkies worldwide.

2. Verrückt – Kansas City, USA

Height: 168 feet (51 meters)

Though now closed, Verrückt (meaning “insane” in German) at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City, holds a legendary status for being one of the most ambitious waterslides ever constructed. Verrückt stood at a towering 168 feet, earning the title of the tallest waterslide globally at its debut. It wasn't just the height that made it insane; it featured a 17-storey drop followed by an uphill blast propelled by jets, giving riders a feeling of weightlessness. Though the slide was closed for safety reasons, it remains etched in waterslide history as one of the wildest designs ever attempted.

3. Leap of Faith – Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas

Height: 60 feet (18 meters)

What makes the Leap of Faith unique is not just its 60-foot near-vertical drop, but what awaits you at the bottom. This slide propels riders through a transparent tunnel that plunges into a shark-filled lagoon. As you rocket through the tube at high speeds, you’re surrounded by several species of sharks swimming just inches away from your face, separated only by the clear glass. The rush of the freefall combined with the surreal underwater views makes the Leap of Faith one of the most thrilling and terrifying waterslides on the planet.

4. Jumeirah Sceirah – Dubai, UAE

Height: 120 feet (37 meters)

Dubai, known for its extravagant attractions, is home to Jumeirah Sceirah at Wild Wadi Waterpark. The slide’s drama starts before you even begin: you step into a clear capsule, and after a countdown, the floor drops beneath you, sending you plummeting down a 120-foot chute. Riders can reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour (80 km/h) as they speed down the almost 400-foot-long slide. The sensation of the trap door giving way beneath you is as heart-stopping as the ride itself, making this one of the craziest water attractions in the world.

5. King Cobra – Istanbul, Turkey

Height: 50 feet (15 meters)

The King Cobra at Aqua Fantasy Waterpark in Turkey is not just about height but the overall experience. The slide starts with two riders in separate tubes, racing side-by-side through twists and turns, before being shot into a massive cobra-shaped structure. Riders slide down the mouth of the “snake” and into its coiled body, where they face a final adrenaline-pumping vertical plunge. The unique design, paired with the thrilling head-to-head competition, makes King Cobra one of the most intense and visually striking waterslides in the world.