Want to have lots of wet fun? Visiting Orangutan Island and wondering if it’s worth stopping here too? In this full Bukit Merah Laketown Waterpark review, I’ll share everything you need to know about a visit here so you can make up your own mind.
This visit began with an extensive online reconnaissance, scouring through various visitor testimonials, expert reviews and the park’s own claims. This helped me know what to expect.
However, to give you an accurate review, I knew there was no substitute for being there in person. So, I packed my essentials and set off for a first-hand experience, diving into every pool, slipping down each slide and lingering in all the lazy rivers the waterpark had to offer.
It’s a hard job, but someone has to do it. I took my two kids aged 7 and 13 to give me a second and third expert opinion.
On arrival, we definitely did have a lot of splashy fun. We enjoyed the pools, slides and more. But is it worth paying the entry fee and venturing to Bukit Merah Laketown Resort Waterpark? Keep reading to make up your own mind!
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Contents
Bukit Merah Laketown Waterpark Review
I booked our tickets to visit here in conjunction with a visit to Orangutan Island. The tours to this island leave a minute or two’s walk from the waterpark entrance. Since I was travelling with kids, it felt natural that we should try out the waterpark as well.
We visited on a weekday afternoon and the park was not very busy. There were enough people to give it some atmosphere, and we did not wait for anything for more than a moment.
Arrival
We caught a Grab here from Taiping which was easy to do and quite cheap at RM43 for the 40 minute drive.
It was quick and easy to enter with our discounted Klook tickets. They let us know which attractions were shut – you can see them in the photo below with the closed ones having a cross. They also explained that for one of the water slides, we’d have to hire a raft if we wanted to use it.
After you enter Bukit Merah Laketown Resort, the ticket counter is straight ahead on the left hand side. They’ll exchange your tickets into wristbands. It’s then a quick walk into the Bukit Merah Laketown Waterpark past some shops and eating establishments.
At the entry to the waterpark, our bags were checked (water was fine) and we were soon inside.
Lockers And Facilities
We started off by getting changed and renting a locker. Lockers cost RM15 + RM20 deposit. We were given a band like a watch to wear to access it. This is also where you could hire a raft if you wanted one.
My only complaint here is that the bathrooms had a lack of benches to put your things on while you got changed. It made it hard to keep everything dry.
Attractions
We were soon in the park and ready to have fun!
The park straight away looked well presented and cared for. There are jungle-covered hills surrounding the back of the park which made the area quite beautiful as well.
Bukit Merah Laketown Waterpark is a smaller waterpark as expected. However, when you consider the low entry price when you buy a discounted ticket via Klook, I think there is quite a lot. It’s similar to what we would pay just for public pool entry in Australia which makes it fantastic value.
There are 12 attractions which include a big water playground, a lazy river, a wave pool and a collection of water slides. You can see them on the photo above that we were shown when collecting our wristbands.
This also shows the attractions that were shut when we visited (marked with an x) and the slide that needs tube rental.
We started at the beginning which was the Family Splash Adventure. This looks like a big water playground from a distance, but actually, it’s just a collection of shorter water slides. They are fun though and my kids enjoyed them. This is the only place we had to line up, albeit not for long at all.
My only complaint here is that the pool area around them had a small-pebbled bottom which hurt my feet. It was annoying having to stand around watching the kids where it hurt.
Next to this is the Kids Adventure Area which has a couple of smaller slides and a shallower, beach-pool-like area. There’s also a Lazy River around the Family Splash Adventure (pictured in front above) that leads to it. Note that this did not have a current that pushes you along like most lazy rivers.
Since this seemed for younger kids, we did not try out this area.
We then headed across the bigger Lazy River to the Giant Wet Bubble. We ignored the Lazy River as it wasn’t a real Lazy River either. That is, it didn’t have currents that push you around. I am always puzzled by “Lazy Rivers” like this as I don’t see the point unless we want a work out with a long swim.
The Giant Wet Bubble was our highlight! So good! I have not been on something like this before.
It’s like a big jumping pillow/castle in a half ball shape. There are ropes you can use to pull yourself to the top. At the top, you can then jump until you feel like jumping a little too far from the centre. You then slide down into the water. It’s actually quite thrilling and so much fun. Every waterpark should have one!
The only downside of this one is that you weren’t allowed on with zips OR the locker bracelet they gave me. My 13 year old had a zip on her bathers and had to miss out.
I was frustrated that I couldn’t wear the locker bracelet on. You hire a locker to keep your belongings safe then they give you a way to access it where you have to leave it by itself to access the attractions… Seems thoughtless to me.
Anyway, since my daughter couldn’t go on it, at least she could wear it.
While we did that, my daughter hung out in the “Activity Pool”.
The Activity Pool did not seem exciting although it had a couple of basketball goals that people were using when we first arrived. Unfortunately, it had a blue surface that rubbed off on you so my daughter was coloured blue everywhere she touched an edge!
It was then time for the water slides. There are not many with only three operating the day we visited. One required a hired raft (Crazee Cone) so we did not use this.
My kids had fun using the Racer Slides. Thankfully, they did not care about the zip on this. My 13 year old went quite fast.
Next to this was the Body Slides. My kids were not impressed with these as they were slow and hard to slide down.
After a few turns on this, it was time for the final area – the “Sandy Beachfront Wave Pool”. This was a big wave pool. It was nice and we had fun when the waves were on.
Even better is that it’s surrounded at the back by jungle-covered hills which made it seem quite exotic and relaxing. Again, some of the bottom was the horrible, small pebble-covered stuff that hurt my feet.
Then that was it. We were done! We were here a couple of hours all up which was enough for us given we had a pool at our hotel. I was also concerned how we would get back to Taiping so I didn’t want to stay too late.
There really isn’t enough here to spend longer though except to laze in the wave pool.
Departure
If you don’t have your own transport, leaving here is not as easy as getting here.
There is no Grab. We rung the local taxi number that was posted at the park, but they were fully booked with no one to pick us up.
Thankfully, the lady at the ticket counter was super helpful and rung several numbers, waited for people to call back and generally went out of her way to find someone to take us back to Taiping. I love how friendly and helpful Malaysians are!
After another 20 minutes, a friendly Grab driver they had rung for me picked us up. He didn’t even gouge us too much on the price which was RM50 (as we would have paid whatever at that point!).
Our Verdict
So what did we think?
We had a great time here. It is small, low-key and what we expected. Given the price is so low, we thought it was great value.
Everything seemed in good condition. The staff were friendly, if a bit fascinated with us. I got the impression they do not see many foreign tourists. We had questions about where we are from and then where we live in Malaysia.
If you are in the area and have the time, definitely visit. It’s a nice add-on to visiting Orangutan Island. However, I would definitely recommend arranging for someone to take you back to Taiping if you need transport before you arrive.
Click here to buy tickets now.
Where Is Bukit Merah Laketown Waterpark?
Address: Jalan Bukit Merah, Kampung Kubu Gajah, 33400 Simpang Empat Semanggol, Perak, Malaysia
The Laketown Waterpark Bukit Merah is located about 3 hours drive northwest of Kuala Lumpur. It is closest to Taiping or you can visit here from Ipoh or Penang.
We stayed in Taiping and visited here via Grab taxi (as described above).
It’s easy to find.
Bukit Merah Laketown Waterpark Opening Hours
This waterpark is open 11am-6pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Fridays to Sundays, it is open 10am-6pm. It’s closed Tuesdays except during school holidays or on a public holiday.
Bukit Merah Laketown Waterpark Ticket Price
The Bukit Merah Laketown Waterpark price is very reasonable especially if you buy your tickets in advance on Klook.
If you click here and buy on Klook, tickets are currently RM25 for adults and RM20 regardless of nationality. However, last time I checked, these were only for weekday visits. Hopefully, they start selling them for weekends again.
To buy direct on arrival, the price is RM45 for a foreigner or RM40 for a Malaysian with MyKad.
Click here to check out the tickets on Klook now.
Final Words
We had a great time at this small, but cheerful waterpark. While I wouldn’t drive a long way to visit here, it’s a nice side trip from Taiping or if you are visiting Orangutan Island especially if you are travelling with kids.
The slides aren’t thrilling, so think fun more than thrill seeking.
All up, I recommend a visit here.
Click here to buy tickets now.
Looking for other things to do around Taiping? Find our full guide here. You can also find our full guide to where to stay in Taiping here and all our guides to Taiping here.
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