Note: Aquatica San Diego is now closed and changed to Sesame Place San Diego, which opened in March 2022. The theme park will include new rides, water slides, shows, and more.

One of the favorite San Diego theme parks during summer is Aquatica San Diego. The 2020 season was supposed to be Aquatica’s last (a transition to a Sesame Place theme park is in the works), but the transition was delayed. This means we got an awesome water park experience for the 2021 summer season.

Aquatica San Diego is a bit different from other water parks. While there are high-speed rides, lazy rivers, and slides for younger kids, amenities such as private cabanas and sandy beaches make it feel more like a beachside resort.

How to buy discount Aquatica San Diego tickets

Aquatica San Diego Ticket Gate Prices

No longer available. Retail price at the gate for single day Aquatica San Diego tickets is:

  • $35.99/adult (ages 3-up).
  • Kids under 2 are free.

Note that the parking fee at Aquatica San Diego is $25 for General Parking and $35 for Up-Close Parking.

As always, it’s important to read all terms and conditions before purchasing an Aquatica San Diego ticket. Be sure that they do not expire before your visit and check refund or transfer policies.

You can save on tickets, tours, and hotels through my affiliations. If you make purchases through some links in this post, I may be compensated. Our editorial guidelines.


1. Buy Single Day Direct + Upgrades From Aquatica San Diego

Aquatica San Diego offers numerous different admission ticket options. Note that Aquatica San Diego charges a $9.99 service fee per order.

Single-Day Ticket – Any Day (SALE)

No longer available. Currently, Aquatica San Diego is offering single park tickets good for 2021 season admission on any day (including weekends). (Price starting at $29.99/ages 3+)

Aquatica San Diego also offers several a-la-carte options, purchasable separately and additionally from an admission ticket, which may heighten your own experience there.

Aquatica San Diego Upgrades

No longer available. Check the upgrade section on the Aquatica San Diego website for ways to make your day even more enjoyable.

Quick Queue (Front-of-Line Rides and Slides)

No longer available. For approximately $20 per guest per day (prices vary by day), guests may skip to the front of the lines at Aquatica’s most popular rides & slides. Valid for unlimited single-day use. Participating rides include Kiwi Curl, Walhalla Wave®, Whanau Way, Tassie’s Twister and Woohoo Falls®. Admission to Aquatica San Diego must be purchased separately.

Premium Lounger Chairs (2 Chairs)

No longer available. Starting at $49.99 (price varies by the day), two guests may enjoy their loungers in a semiprivate area by the lazy river, Loggerhead Lane or HooRoo Run. This rental price, which varies by the day includes two lounger chairs, an umbrella, two wristbands to access the lounger area and Wi-Fi access. Food and beverage service available (purchased separately).

Cabana Rentals

Cabana at Aquatica San Diego

No longer available. Rent a cabana for 4-8 guests that includes a welcome basket, mini-fridge, bottled water, an all-day locker, Wi-Fi access, and food and drink service to the cabana.

Note that they are strict about how many guests may use the lounger and cabana areas so book for the exact amount of people you anticipate joining you. Cabana locations vary. Prices range from $199–$699 and you’ll be given options to upgrade after putting tickets in the cart.


2. Cheap Single Day Tickets (Go Straight to the Gate)

aRes Travel is a San Diego-based, authorized ticket seller to major California attractions. aRes Travel’s Aquatica San Diego tickets are print-at-home or in a mobile format so that you can head straight to the gate without the need to redeem a ticket voucher.

aRes Travel charges a $2 convenience fee per ticket, but you will still likely come out ahead seeing that Aquatica San Diego charges $9.99 service fee for online tickets. aRes Travel tickets are typically cheaper anyway.

Note: Aquatica San Diego is closed and is transitioned to Sesame Place in March 2022. You can find all the information on this blog on How to Buy Discount Sesame Place San Diego Tickets.

Aquatica San Diego tickets

3. Annual Passes Direct From Aquatica San Diego

2021 premium season pass

No longer available. Get unlimited admission to Aquatica San Diego during the entire 2021 season. The Premium Season Pass does NOT include admission to SeaWorld San Diego. Some blockout dates apply. (Price: $91.99 for ages 3+)

Plus, right now you also get an additional free ticket!


4. Multi-Park Annual Passes

SeaWorld San Diego+ Aquatica San Diego Annual Passes (Silver or Gold)

No longer available. Ticket holders will receive unlimited admission to SeaWorld San Diego during the initial 12-month commitment and any renewal period, with no blackout dates, free parking, two or three tickets for friends, discounts on in-park upgrades, food, and shopping, as well as exclusive offers and events. Ticket holders will also receive entry to Aquatica San Diego for the entire season.

This year, there two levels of combo annual pass types: gold and silver. Gold includes a few extra perks like a Quick Queue Pass and an Animal Experience.

  • Silver: $13.25/month or $159.00 per pass.
  • Gold: $16.75/month or $201.00 per pass.

Platinum Pass

No longer available. Get access to Aquatica San Diego, SeaWorld San Diego, Orlando and San Antonio; Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Williamsburg; Aquatica Orlando and San Antonio; Adventure Island; Water Country USA; and Sesame Place, with no blackout dates, free parking, discounts on in-park upgrades (enumerated above), food and shopping, as well as 1 free guest ticket and exclusive offers and events with the Platinum Pass. (Price: $19.75/month or $237.00 per person.)

Aquatica San Diego tickets

5. AAA Discounts

No longer available. Members of AAA may receive various Aquatica San Diego discount ticket options throughout the year.

How do you buy discount Aquatica San Diego tickets?

Aquatica San Diego discount tickets

Learn also how to buy discount tickets for:

Katie Dillon is the managing editor of La Jolla Mom. She helps readers plan San Diego vacations through her hotel expertise (that stems from living in a Four Seasons hotel) and local connections. Readers have access to exclusive discounts on theme park tickets (like Disneyland and San Diego Zoo) and perks at luxury hotels worldwide through her. She also shares insider tips for visiting major cities worldwide, like Hong Kong, London, Paris, and Shanghai, that her family has either lived in or visits regularly (or both).

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2 Comments

  1. Do you know if Aquatica is strict with there 6 person cabana rule? We have 2 families (8 total) going and a couple of would only be in the cabana to eat or get their stuff. Just trying to figure should we get 2 cabana or 1…. Thanks,Joy