Sailfish Splash Water Park

Martin County runs this one, and it is a two-acre town water park rather than a resort-scale one: a 1,000-foot lazy river, two four-storey slides (one of them a 253-foot enclosed speed flume), a zero-depth splash playground with jets and a huge tipping bucket for small children, and a cargo-net walk across a lagoon. Shade comes from sail canopies, umbrellas and rentable cabanas. Next door is a 50-metre competition pool that hosts state high-school meets and college winter training.

The slides and river open only in the warm months: daily through the summer school holiday, then weekends to Labor Day. The park also stays shut on days forecast under 75°F. Outside food, drinks and coolers are not allowed (there is a café), children 12 and under need an adult with them, under-3s must wear a swim diaper, and only Coast Guard life vests are allowed in the water, lent free. Lightning within seven miles clears the pools, and a long storm ends the day without refunds unless you bought the visit protection add-on at the gate.