Summer Fun at Fins Up Water Park, Margaritaville at Lanier Islands
School’s out and summer is in full swing in Atlanta! The Fins Up Water Park at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands is the perfect place to cool off in the summer heat. Here’s everything you need to know to enjoy the water park this season.
A special thanks to Margaritaville at Lanier Islands for hosting us for a day at the Fins Up Water Park! As always, all opinions are my own.
Margaritaville at Lanier Islands is the perfect destination soak up the summer sun. With adrenaline-pumping water slides, delicious lake-front restaurants, and refreshing margaritas at every turn, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy.
Learn all about what you can expect from the Fins Up Water Park at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands, as well as tips on how to make the most of your trip.
About Margaritaville at Lanier Islands
Margaritaville at Lanier Islands is a lakeside paradise at Lake Lanier in Buford, Georgia.
It features a water park in the summer, a snowy wonderland in the winter, lakefront dining, entertainment, a marina, and an RV resort campsite, cabins, and glamping tent cottages.
This year, the water park has a new name and some new exciting attractions: the Margaritaville at Lanier Islands Water Park has been rebranded as Fins Up Water Park, and it features Georgia’s first and only waterslide coaster!
This summer, soak up the sun and get a taste of island life at this oasis resort located just an hour away from Atlanta. At Margaritaville at Lanier Islands, you can lounge by the lake, take on the park’s wild water slides, or enjoy a cold drink by the wave pool.
Margaritaville’s Thrilling Water Rides and Attractions
Margaritaville at Lanier Islands water park has water slides and fun attractions for all ages, from toddlers to teens to adults. With 18 rides and attractions, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
New for 2024
- A new name — Fins Up Water Park
- Apocalypso — Georgia’s first and only waterslide coaster with big drops and near vertical ascents
- Mango Mania — a new waterslide with winding paths and a magical, illuminated tunnel
- Dreamsicle Dive — a new waterslide full of twists and turns
- Serpentine Storm — a new waterslide with top speeds and high bank rotations
- New premium cabanas
- New food and drink offerings
- An expanded Wibit Aquatic Adventure
Water Slides
There are all kinds of thrilling water slides at the Water Park at Lanier Islands!
You have inline tube slides where you’ll zip down a slide riding solo or with a partner on an inner tube. These include Raging River, Twister, CAT 4, Typhoon, Apocalypso, Mango Mania, Dreamsicle Dive, and Serpentine Storm. CAT 4 is interesting because you get to race down on a dry slide that ends in the lake. The new Apocalypso is Georgia’s first and only waterslide coaster; it has big drops, vertical ascents, and a zero-gravity summit!
Then you have the tubeless water slides that shoot you out full speed. These include the Intimidator and the Triple Threat, two adrenaline-pumping drop slides that you can race down, as well as the dark and enclosed Blackout, the two-lane Racing Waters, the two-lane Splash Down where you’ll race down on a mat, and the Fin Dunker Drop that dumps you out through a funnel.
Water Attractions and More
The park has plenty of non-slide fun, too, whether you’re looking to head back into the water or are in the mood to stay dry.
For getting wet and wild, you have the expanded Wibit Aquatic Adventure inflatable on-water obstacle course, Parakeet Springs kiddie splash area, Wild Waves Wave Pool and the accompanying Foam Parties for kids, the Fin Dunker Bucket, and watersport rentals at LandShark Landing for kayak, paddle board, and FLY Board rentals.
The Aquatic Adventure and watersports are located on the lake and offer the only lake access through the water park. You’ll access the Aquatic Adventure via the floating dock, and you’ll access the watersports from the beach at LandShark Landing.
If you’re looking to stay dry, there’s the Arcade, Lakeside Links Mini Golf, and relaxing on the beach.
Relaxing on Lake Lanier’s Beach
You can still relax on the beach even though, unfortunately, Margaritaville at Lanier Islands no longer allows lake access for swimming at the Fins Up Water Park or LandShark Landing for safety reasons.
And while the fence isn’t the prettiest thing to add to the scenery, the beach is still very nice. There are lounge chairs and sand chairs available on a first-come, first-serve basis as are the large umbrellas. On busier days, individual chairs and lounge clusters will be available to rent, so you may want to bring your own.
You can still access a little bit of the lake, so if you have toddlers that want to splash in the water or if you want to get some water for building sandcastles you still can, you just can’t go beyond the fence.
Dining at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands
Margaritaville at Lanier Islands has tons of options for eating and drinking. You’re never too far from a tiki bar, and it’s always 5 o’clock somewhere!
The LandShark Bar & Grill is a personal favorite. They have lakefront dining, burger, seafood, beer, and margaritas. Kevin really likes their fish tacos.
Paradise Beach Cantina offers casual Mexican food. Frank and Lola’s Pizzeria has pizza, wraps, and salads. Feeding Frenzy Fried Shack is the go-to for shrimp baskets and chicken tenders. L2C has gourmet hot dogs, burgers, and fries. There are tons of other concessions for a quick snack, drinks, hot dogs, and hamburgers as well.
For drinks, the Tiki Bar has a central location on Paradise Beach where you can get beer buckets, cocktails, and margaritas. I like the Pink Cadillac, Stranded On A Sandbar, and the classic 5 O’clock Somewhere. The License to Chill Bar is also a great spot to get into the vacation state of mind.
Visiting Fins Up Water Park at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands
Fins Up Water Park at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands is open seasonally from May to September. Check the 2024 hours of operation here.
Admission for the water park costs $44.99 per person for a day pass when purchased online. Onsite admission costs $59.99 for ages 7+, $44.99 for ages 4-7 and for seniors 65+. Children ages 3 and under are free. They also offer a season pass, the Summer Fin Pass, for $129.99 per person.
Parking at Lanier Islands costs $20 per vehicle (parking is included in the season pass).
Fins Up Water Park Review
Overall, we loved our time at Fins Up Water Park at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands! It was a great day out, and Kevin and I were in need of a little fun in the sun.
Here’s a quick review of what we loved about the water park and what we didn’t, as well as some tips to help you plan your vacation.
What We Loved
A beach getaway an hour from Atlanta – what’s not to love? These are a few of our favorite things at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands.
- The slides were all great, the perfect amount of thrill for both kids and adults.
- The beach was nice and clean. They’ve done a great job to make it feel like you’re at the ocean instead of on a lake.
- Everyone working the park was very friendly.
- The food at LandShark Bar & Grill is always good. The drinks throughout the park are delicious as well.
Favorite Water Slide: Kevin and I both agree that the Splash Down slide was our favorite. We liked racing each other, and being able to ride headfirst on a mat made it even more fun.
Things To Watch Out For
Nothing’s perfect. Here are a few things we didn’t love about the water park.
- The food and drinks are pricey, which is to be expected at any sort of amusement park.
- There are a lot of uphill walks, and those uphill walks can be steep! They started to wear out the balls of my feet and made me wish I’d brought water shoes.
- The park is pretty spread out and I feel like it can be easy to miss a fun slide. For instance, you have to leave the park to get to the Fin Dunker.
Tips for a Spectacular Visit
Want to have the best time ever at Fins Up Water Park at Margaritaville at Lake Lanier? Follow these tips and suggestions!
- Bring plenty of sunscreen and reapply throughout the day.
- If you want to avoid the crowds, come to the water park early in the season! We were here the second weekend the park was open, and we had practically no lines. The longest lines were about three people long.
- If you’re worried about the weather/water being chilly early in the season, wear a rash guard and swim leggings over your bathing suite for extra warmth. When we visited it was in the 70s and cloudy all day, and we weren’t cold on the rides (mostly from a breeze while we were sitting in wet clothes and the wave pool was chillier).
- You can re-enter the water park as long as you’re wearing your wristband. This means you can exit to have lunch at LandShark Bar & Grill or you can pack a picnic lunch in the car and eat outside of the park to save some money.
- Bring your own unopened bottled water; this is the only outside food/drink you can bring into the park.
- Water shoes aren’t necessary since the park is so clean. That said, they aren’t a bad idea because a lot of the slides are an uphill trek that starts to wear on your feet.
Final Thoughts: Fins Up Water Park at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands
Fins Up Water Park offers the perfect summer escape for fun-seekers of all ages. From thrilling water slides to relaxing beach experiences, this tropical-themed oasis has something for everyone.
Embrace the laid-back vibes, gather your friends and family, and make some summer memories at this fantastic water park.
Margaritaville at Lanier Islands FAQ
Can you swim at Margaritaville Lake Lanier?
They have closed the lake access at Fins Up Water Park at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands. You can no longer access the lake from the beach for swimming. You can, however, still access the lake for the Wibit Aquatic Adventure obstacle course.
How much is the gate fee at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands?
The Lanier Island gate fee is $20 per vehicle.
Are they building a water park at Lake Lanier?
The water park at Lanier Islands was expanded and re-branded in 2024 to Fins Up Water Park at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands. The expansion included the state’s first waterslide coaster and the largest waterslide complex in Georgia.
Top Atlanta Tours
A guided tour is always a good way to get to know a city! Check out these top Atlanta tours.
- 90-Minute Guided Sightseeing Tour by E-Car
- Atlanta’s Black History and Civil Rights Tour
- Midtown Atlanta Food & Cocktail Tour
Where to Stay Near Margaritaville at Lanier Islands
Find the perfect place to rest your head on your trip to Fins Up Water Park, from the top rated accommodations to unique stays you can’t get anywhere else.
- Top Hotel: Lanier Islands Legacy Lodge
- Great Value: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Buford NE – Lake Lanier
- Unique Stay: Chateau Elan Winery & Resort
More Summer Fun in Atlanta
Summer in Atlanta is a blast! Enjoy more fun things to do in and around Atlanta with these itineraries:
- 16 Fun Things to Do During Summer in Atlanta
- 31 Best Atlanta Rooftop Bars For Drinks with a View
- What You Need to Shoot the Hooch
- 10 Best Spots for a Summer Vacation in Georgia
- Ultimate Guide to Visiting Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground, GA
- How to Have a Rollicking Good Time at the Georgia Renaissance Festival
- Georgia Hikes: Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail
- Shoot the Hooch: A Complete Guide to Tubing the Chattahoochee
Ready to visit Margaritaville at Lanier Islands in Buford, Georgia? Plan your trip with these tips.
- Get Familiar With the City: Check out my Ultimate Guide to Atlanta to help plan your trip!
- Book Your Flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
- Find Accommodation: You can find top hotels in Buford using Booking.com.
- Save on Attractions: Save 44% on admission to Atlanta’s top attractions using the Atlanta CityPASS.
Cheers!
Paige
Have you visited Fins Up Water Park at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands? Let me know in the comments!
This looks like such a fun place to visit! It has the tropical vibe that makes you want to jump into the water immediately. Via those spectacular slides of course!
It’s definitely a great place to cool off!
I love a fun day at a water park. This looks like a great way to spend a summer day.
Perfect way to beat the heat!
Ooh I love trying different water parks! How cool that there is a real sand beach!
It’s such a great water park!