It was a typical cold winter day a couple of weeks ago when my family and I had a chance to visit Sahara Sam’s Oasis, an indoor/outdoor water park located in West Berlin, NJ. It was the most perfect escape from the cold weather!

As we pulled into the parking lot at Sahara Sam's, my 7 and 12 year olds were amazed at the tube slides that snake around the outside the building. They were so excited to go inside and explore the park!

Once inside, our first stop was the lazy river. The Congo Bongo Adventure River spans nearly the entire length of the indoor facility. It was a perfect way to start the day and take in the entire park. 

Next, my kids wanted to try the Cargo Obstacle Course. Holding tight to the cargo ropes above and navigating through the spinning/floating pieces to reach the other side proved more challenging than it looked but my kids absolutely LOVED it! The Cargo Obstacle Course is right next to Sam’s Slamdunker, which features multiple backboards and enough open water to get your game on in this aqua basketball emporium!

Right in the center of the park is Tim-Buk-Tu, a huge water play area that includes fountains, platforms, toys to squirt those walking by, and slides that land you into a water and foam filled bottom pool area. There is also the giant bucket that fills and splashes tons of water on unsuspecting parents.


Then there’s the ceiling level where you can ride the two Snake Eyes tube slides or the Mount Kilimanjaro family raft ride. So much fun!!! All three begin inside and land you in an inside pool, but the tubes snake around one another outside the building.


My son is too young for the Flowrider ride and my daughter is not the adventurous type, but if you dare, you should definitely check it out! Flowrider is the only indoor surfing simulator in the area. This ride is for ages 8 and up and riders must meet certain height restrictions and provide a signed waiver prior to riding. You can perfect your style with practice, ride the tide on your belly, or (as we did) pull up a chair to watch the good, the bad, and the wipeouts.

For the little ones there is the Lizard Lagoon, where toddlers can enjoy and explore the smaller slides and attractions. There is also a baby bungee area where babies can sit and bounce in a wade pool.

After a day of fun, my kids sure worked up an appetite. Sam Dunes Cafe offers a lot of options, including pizza, sandwiches and much more. There is also a full bar with lounge area that offers both a traditional and tropical drink menu. Older kids can explore the park while parents relax in the open lounge area that has full view of the park.

For convenience, Sahara Sam’s offers lockers for a nominal fee, as well as changing areas.
Before we left we explored the 3,000 square foot arcade, located in the lobby. The arcade features some really cool games, including bowling, which my kids loved! It was a perfect way to end a really great day!

Although we were there on a cold winter day, Sahara Sam’s is an indoor/outdoor water park. The park has a
retractable roof and an amazing outdoor ropes adventure, available during the warmer months. The Samazon Ropes Adventure is a 4-story tall adventure. Climbing Samazon will take you to the top of Sahara Sam’s canopy! My kids cannot wait to come back when the weather gets nicer to try it. Another thing to look forward to is the two acre outdoor water park expansion, scheduled for a May 2013 opening. The $5 million outdoor expansion will feature a leisure pool (The Blue Lagoon), a children’s splash park (Splish-Splash), a full service bar (The Wipeout), volleyball courts and a wave pool (The Rip & Roll).

My family had a blast being hosted by Sahara Sam’s and now I’d like to share our experience with you! One lucky Macaroni Kid Westfield/Springfield/Cranford/Scotch Plains subscriber will win a family four pack, one day admission tickets to Sahara Sam’s! Simply leave a comment below telling me what ride your family would enjoy the most, or email me at [email protected] You must be a subscriber to win. Click here to subscribe. All entries must be received by Wednesday, March 20th at 9 AM to be eligible to win. Winner will be notified by email on March 20. You will have 24 hours to respond to my email or a new winner will be selected. Good luck!

Sahara Sam's Oasis is located on Rt. 73 in West Berlin, NJ. Ticket prices and hours vary so check their website for more info, www.saharasams.com. The park is also currently offering a Spring Break discount, available on the website.

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