- Matamir’s Drop is the UAE’s tallest waterslide at over 40 metres high.
- The expansion brings Yas Waterworld’s total in-park experiences to over 70.
- Eight new slides, two jump platforms, and a leisure pool open on April 4.
- The Lost City expansion builds on The Legend of The Lost Pearl narrative.
Right now, the UAE is soaking wet and the roads are best avoided until Friday. But circle April 4 in your calendar because when the sun comes back, Yas Waterworld on Yas Island is going to give the entire country a very good reason to make the drive to Abu Dhabi. Yas Waterworld is set to unveil a major expansion on April 4, 2026, introducing 11 new slides and attractions that will significantly enhance the waterpark’s offering and reinforce its position as one of the region’s leading entertainment destinations. The headline attraction is not subtle. Matamir’s Drop is now officially the tallest waterslide in the UAE, and at over 40 metres high with a 233-metre slide run that includes genuine freefall moments, it is exactly the kind of thing you drive an hour for.
The expansion builds on the park’s existing narrative, The Legend of the Lost Pearl, which is deeply rooted in Emirati heritage, ensuring that the new attractions feel like a natural continuation of the world Yas Waterworld has built rather than a disconnected addition bolted on for the sake of scale. The Lost City theming gives the park something that very few waterparks in the region can claim: a sense of place and story that makes the entire visit feel immersive rather than simply transactional. You’re not just riding slides. You’re moving through a world. And from April 4, that world gets significantly bigger and considerably more thrilling.
The new additions cover every kind of visitor perfectly. For the adrenaline-driven, the lineup includes:
- Matamir’s Drop: The UAE’s tallest waterslide, plunging over 40 metres with a 233-metre freefall slide run
- Sahel Matamir: A freefall tube racer launching riders through powerful bursts of speed and zero-gravity moments
- Matamir Loop: A high-speed body slide built for rapid descents
- Matamir Twist / Matamir Lights: Fast drops combined with immersive lighting effects for a dazzling ride experience
- Matamir Splash: A duelling mat racer where riders race side-by-side to the finish
For those who want the thrill of the leap without the speed, Al Afda offers a jump platform into refreshing waters below, the kind of attraction that divides friend groups brilliantly. And for families wanting to slow the pace down, Sarab is a spacious new leisure pool area designed for relaxed, family-friendly floating and cooling off between adventures.
With Abu Dhabi continuing to build its reputation as a go-to destination for entertainment, this latest addition to Yas Island feels right on brand, and the timing couldn’t be better. The new expansion aligns with broader trends in the leisure and entertainment sector, where destinations are increasingly focusing on immersive storytelling, innovative ride design, and diverse visitor experiences to attract a wider audience. Yas Waterworld already spans more than 15 hectares and has received multiple international awards. Adding 11 new experiences to a portfolio that will now exceed 70 total attractions makes a genuinely compelling case for it being one of the finest waterparks in the world, not just the region.
The Yas Waterworld expansion opens on April 4, 2026. Book your tickets in advance at YasWaterworldYasIsland.com and plan your visit before the queues for Matamir’s Drop stretch as long as its slide run. This one is worth every second of the wait!
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: YasWaterworldYasIsland.com.
Instagram: @yaswaterworldyasisland
