Baha Bay Waterpark Named 2022 AI Dream Designs

Baha Bay Waterpark
Nassau, Bahamas

Architect: SB Architects
Aquatic Designer: DTJ Design, SB Architects
Builder: Bahamas Environmental Group
Architect of Record: Archventure
Engineer of Record: Graphite Engineering
Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing: EXP Engineers
Civil Engineer: ENCO International Bahamas
Structural Engineer: Caribbean Coastal Services
Lighting Designer: Archiluce International

Bahamian paradise

This waterpark is the newest destination at Baha Mar, a resort/casino/residential development on Nassau’s Cable beach. It caters to guests from three local hotel brands as well as visitors from around the island. This means it had to appeal to people of all stripes.

For patrons, the experience begins as soon as they reach the entry, where they’re met by a blowhole water feature with a timed water spout.

Kids Island has a play structure with more than 10 features, five toddler slides and a waterfall for splashing.

Several thrill rides appeal to the more adventurous. The Dueling Riptide Coaster provides the first-of-its-kind racing water coaster. Pirates Plunge offers two drop slides, while the Thunderball & Devil’s Backbone has two speed slides that drop 60 feet.

Family rides include the Cyclone Rush, a five-person tube ride with 40-foot bowl and a two-story wave wall, along with the Hammerhead, another five-person tube ride, this one with three open-air saucer turns.

Three-lane surf simulators attract aspiring boarders. A 20,000-square-foot wave pool creates waves up to 5 feet, while Baha Bay Beach Club has several rivers terminate into infinity-edge pools. An action river with two wave generators and several waterfalls provides many different experiences.

The island has only limited water and power, so features were designed for efficiency. With physical space also in short supply, the team devised several underground buildings to support the massive infrastructure.

The aesthetic reflects the traditional architecture and landscape design from the area, with its European and African influences. The team identified three styles to focus on: clapboard cottages, colonial homes and straw markets. This is seen in such features as Beach Club’s white and wooden buildings, the colorful architecture on Kids Island, and the combination of color and wood details at the burger bar and restaurant.

Natural stone textures and shell patterns also show the local influence.

Suppliers

Admission System: VivaTicket
Aquatic Safety Partner: StarGuard Elite
Filtration: Evoqua Water Technologies
Floor Covering: Life Floor
Guard Chairs/Safety Equipment: Water Safety Products
Interactive Waterfeatures/slides: ProSlide
Lockers: VLocker
Scales: SR Instruments
Seating/Bleachers: Gensler
Surfing Simulator: FlowRider
Wave machines: Murphy's Waves