Review of Pirate's Cove Waterpark, Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority
by Margo Osborne
June 18, 2008

Pohick Bay Regional Park
6501 Pohick Bay Drive
Lorton, VA 22079
703.339.6102
Google map

Ahoy, Maties! Are you ready for some serious summer fun? Then, throw on your bikini or swim trunks, grab your sword and eye patch, and race over to the Pirate’s Cove Waterpark. Be careful when you enter the waterpark as only pirates are allowed!

Pirate’s Cove Waterpark includes a 24-foot high structure with a 300-gallon dumping bucket, three water slides, waterfalls and squirters. It also includes Buccaneer Beach, where kids can dig for buried treasures, and a kiddie pool with two additional slides.

Three words immediately come to mind when describing this waterpark: creative, large, and fun

Creative
Everything about this waterpark is creative. The kids will be excited from their first glimpse at the entrance. The inviting and innovative building takes the shape of a pirate ship sailing in very blue, wavy waters. (It was an inopportune time for my camera to stop working! Sorry!)

Even the bathroom is creative. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself spending far too much time admiring the dressing room’s artistry. The perfectly painted mermaid, fish and shells on the bathroom walls certainly raise the level of anticipation before entering the pool area. The bathroom was also very clean, and contained an ample number of lockers.

Even the bottom of the pool is creative! The pool bottom is blanketed with colorful ceramic tiles depicting fish, which is a wonderful surprise to both kids and parents alike.

Last, but not least the 24-foot play structure is creativity at its best. It’s a pirate’s paradise! Think parrots, skulls, bursts of primary colors, and bursts of water everywhere!

Palm Trees Galore! Create some fun and see if your pirates can count the number of palm trees in the vicinity. There are palm trees, both squirting and non-squirting, in front of the building and in the pool area.

Large
This is a large facility overall, meaning both the pool area and the area surrounding the pool. The Park Authority website does not specifically mention the size of their large pool, and its website photos do not do it justice. Just know that when you visit, your kids will have a lot of pool to explore. The pool depth ranges from 2.5 feet in the play structure area to 11 feet. This can also be viewed as a negative for some, but their lifeguard staff is also “large.” On our visit while school was still in session, four lifeguards were on duty.

The area surrounding the pool is very spacious and contains more than an adequate number of lounge chairs, oversized umbrellas and picnic tables near the Captain’s Galley (concession stand.) They did lack standard upright chairs for those wanting to sit and observe rather than lounge.

There is also adequate parking, and additional picnic tables outside of the main entrance.

Please keep in mind because there are at least two additional attractions (kiddie pool and beach) besides the main pool/waterpark area, it may be a challenge if you are there with more than one child by yourself as children may be interested in different features at different times.

Fun
The bottom line is Pirate’s Cove Waterpark is fun. The 24-foot play structure is not only creative, it is pure fun. In addition to the numerous waterfalls and squirters, there is one rather short enclosed tubular slide, and two side by side “kiddie” slides. The kiddie pool also contains two additional “kiddie” slides.

This waterpark is toddler-focused and ideal for “comfortable in the water” three to five year-olds, adequate for “comfortable in the water” six year-olds or older kids who are just learning to swim. It really depends on your child’s abilities and comfort level. Adventurous first graders and above may get antsy with the lack of longer and more thrilling slides. If your family is looking for a waterpark that is comparable to Splash Down Water Park, you will be disappointed. If your family is looking for some laid-back, pirate-themed creative fun in a spacious pool, you will not be disappointed. And your pocketbook will not be disappointed either.

The 300-gallon dumping bucket is a huge hit (see website photo.) For those who have visited Great Wolf Lodge and experienced its bucket, Pirate Cove’s does not compare in its intensity, which happily makes it less intimidating for the little ones.

Family Fun Nights are Wednesdays from 4 to 7pm, and include games, food and prizes.

The entrance staff was noticeably friendly, which certainly enhances the overall fun experience here.

Fun music is played over a loud speaker, and was not too overbearing.

Additional facts

• Overall, it is an extremely serene and private setting that is engulfed by towering and plentiful trees.
• The Captain’s Galley was not open on the day of our visit, but is presumably open now that school is no longer in session. A quick peek at the menu revealed many different offerings, such as hot dogs, beverages and ice cream.
• There are ten minute pool breaks every hour at 50 minutes past the hour. The kiddie pool remains open during the main pool’s break time. Encourage your kids to explore the educational boards, pirate figures, and the Black Pearl Boat surrounding the pool. These are highly suggested diversions to avoid meltdowns at break time.
• There is a diving board located where the pool is 11-feet deep.
• This is a non-smoking facility. Signs are clearly posted throughout the pool area.
• We were not instructed upon entering, but realized if we exited the park and wanted to return, we would need a wristband.
• Group reservations and birthday parties are welcome.
• Explore the entire Pohick Bay Regional Park. In addition to the waterpark, there is golfing, camping, and boating.

Hours of operation
June 16 to August 24
Monday to Friday: 10:30am to 7pm, Saturday and Sunday: 11am to 7pm.

August 25 to Labor Day
Monday to Friday: 1 to 7pm, Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day: 11am to 7pm.

Fees
Children under two are free. Ticket prices range from $5.25 to $6.00, and also reduce weekdays after 4:00 pm. Please consult the website for detailed information on fees and group rates.

Have been to the Pirate's Cove Waterpark? Drop us a note and Our Kids will add your comments to this review.