Although it may be known more for its killer whales, bottlenose dolphins and other sea creatures, SeaWorld San Diego rides also offer an ocean of fun. From thrill rides like roller coasters and water rides to family rides like carnival-style attractions with aquatic flair, the San Diego SeaWorld has it all. But in between peeks at beluga whales, sea lions and other marine animals, which SeaWorld rides should you make time for when visiting the West Coast? Read on as we dive into the best SeaWorld San Diego rides for thrill seekers of all ages.
The Best SeaWorld San Diego Rides for Guests of All Ages
For most people, the claim to fame of the SeaWorld parks is their sea creatures. They are called SeaWorld, after all. However, whether you’re at SeaWorld Orlando, San Antonio or the original in San Diego, each theme park has another thing going for it: a line-up of exciting rides. And we aren’t just talking about a few attractions to keep kids entertained in between the latest showing of Orca Encounter or a visit to Explorer’s Reef or another animal exhibit. Although, you will certainly find those, too. No, along with up-close views of the denizens of the deep, parkgoers at SeaWorld San Diego can also get their adrenaline fix by going on some of the most thrilling rides in the state, some of which boast superlatives like the fastest, longest and tallest attractions of their kind in the region.
Needless to say, if you’re a thrill-seeker or you have a budding adrenaline junkie on your hands, then this is one theme park that you definitely won’t want to miss. So, what SeaWorld San Diego rides are sure to make a splash on your next Southern California vacation? Join us as we break down each and every can’t-miss attraction, from high-intensity thrill rides to more easygoing offerings made with kids and families in mind. Let’s dive in!
Thrill Rides
Do you like screaming your lungs out as you hold on for dear life on a roller coaster? Or maybe you prefer the thrills and chills of splashdown on water rides. Whatever you prefer, SeaWorld San Diego’s heart-pounding thrill rides are a must for your next theme park day.
Arctic Rescue
The polar ice caps are melting, and the arctic animals that live there need your help. All you need to do is jump on your snowmobile and punch the throttle to reach them quickly and bring them to safety before it’s too late. Or at least that’s the inspiration behind Arctic Rescue, one of the newest roller coasters at SeaWorld San Diego. With ride vehicles designed to look like snowmobiles, this straddle coaster isn’t just the longest on the West Coast, at 2,800 feet. It’s also the fastest straddle coaster, too, with three thrilling launches and a top speed of 40 miles per hour. All you need to do is imagine the icy wind blowing through your hair as you race to the rescue.
Height Requirement: At least 48″
Thrill Level: High
Electric Eel
Ready for an exciting ride inspired by one of the ocean’s most hair-raising creatures? Climb in for a trip on Electric Eel. While not quite the fastest roller coaster at SeaWorld San Diego, it is super speedy, maxing out at a quick 62 miles per hour. Along with a 150-foot drop, Electric Eel boasts some truly high-energy twists, electrifying loops and an inverted heartline roll that are sure to get your pulse racing, along with multiple launches that send you hurtling forward and backward. All in all, this is easily in the running for the most thrilling roller coaster at SeaWorld San Diego.
Height Requirement: At least 54″
Thrill Level: High
Emperor
An emperor penguin might not be able to use its wings to fly, but they are capable of some pretty incredible aquatic acrobatics, twisting, turning and diving to catch Antarctic krill before launching back out onto the ice. Emperor, another new roller coaster at SeaWorld San Diego, pays tribute to that underwater ballet. Not only is Emperor California’s only floorless dive coaster, but it’s also the fastest (63 miles per hour), tallest (153 feet) and longest dive coaster (2,411 feet long) in the Golden State. As your feet dangle below you, you’ll hold on for dear life as you take on exhilarating loops like a hammerhead turn, barrel roll, flat spin and Immelman turn, along with a 90-degree, facedown vertical drop down 14 stories.
Height Requirement: At least 52″
Thrill Level: High
Journey to Atlantis
For a dive coaster of a different kind, don’t miss Journey to Atlantis. While not a traditional roller coaster, Journey to Atlantis is one of two water rides at SeaWorld San Diego, deftly combining a roller coaster-like track with dark ride thematic elements and aquatic thrills like winding river turns and a waterfall finale. This fun ride is a true SeaWorld classic and a great attraction for guests young and old.
Height Requirement: At least 42″
Thrill Level: High
Manta
Soar through the air just like the world’s biggest ray gracefully glides through water on Manta, a family-friendly multi-launch coaster. Unlike its Orlando counterpart, Manta at SeaWorld San Diego is more of an easygoing family coaster that you don’t need to be a thrill seeker to enjoy. Setting the scene is an underwater viewing area filled with as many as 60 rays and hundreds of fish, followed by a tunnel with projections of the giant creatures, which helps to immerse riders into the feeling of swimming through the deep blue before being launched on a journey that features a 54-foot dive plunge.
Height Requirement: At least 48″
Thrill Level: High
Shipwreck Rapids
Hoping to really cool off on a hot San Diego day? Shipwreck Rapids is for you. For this chilling and thrilling ride, guests set out on a nine-person raft, navigating their way through plenty of winding river turns, soaking water jets and generally turbulent waters. The highlight of this water ride is, of course, its waterfall finale, which is bound to get you absolutely drenched. The theming here is also pretty great, as you’ll float by several marooned ships during your voyage. All in all, this is a fun ride for everyone from younger and older kids up to adults.
Height Requirement: At least 42″
Thrill Level: Medium
Family Rides and Rescue Jr. Attractions
As much as we love blood-pumping attractions like roller coasters and water rides, they certainly aren’t everyone’s speed. Yes, even ones inspired by marine animals like emperor penguins and manta rays. Fortunately, there is so much more to SeaWorld San Diego than pulse-racing rides. After all, SeaWorld is, at its heart, a family affair. Along with added-cost attractions like Bayside Skyride and the SkyTower (yes, we’re sad to say that not all SeaWorld San Diego rides are included with your park admission), younger guests and their families can also enjoy a slew of low-thrill attractions that feel as if they’ve been ripped from Disney’s Fantasyland or the midway of your local carnival.
Located in a newly reimagined area known as Rescue Jr., formerly Sesame Street Bay of Play, this family-friendly land is chockful of laidback attractions your little ones are bound to love. Sad to see rides like Elmo’s Flying Fish, Abby’s Sea Star Spin and Oscar’s Rockin’ Eel go? Don’t worry—although they might not look the same, these animated attractions have simply been rethemed and now pay tribute to the animal rescue efforts of the SeaWorld team. And for those who are hoping to come face-to-face with Big Bird, Cookie Monster or another favorite Sesame Street character, all you need to do is head over to Sesame Place, a new Sesame Street-themed park located on what was once the San Diego outpost of SeaWorld’s Aquatica water park.
Aqua Scout
Perfect for younger kids, Aqua Scout is a mild-mannered spinning ride with vehicles shaped like submarines. Some light bouncing along the way is just enough action to get little ones’ hearts pounding.
Height Requirement: At least 36″
Thrill Level: Low
Bayside Skyride
Sea World San Diego isn’t only inspired by the ocean and, particularly, the many amazing animals that call it home. It’s also located right on the water. And the best way to take it all is from SeaWorld San Diego’s Bayside Skyride, which has been offering guests breathtaking views of the area ever since the park opened in 1967. Priced at $6 per person, admission to Bayside Skyride isn’t complimentary. That said, we think this gondola ride is worth the cost to take in the beauty of Mission Bay from up to 80 feet in the air.
Height Requirement: None, but guests under 56″ must be with a supervising companion
Thrill Level: Low
Octarock
Another ride made with young children in mind, Octarock is a pint-sized swing ride. Simply hop in what looks like a souped-up front porch swing and enjoy the breeze as it rocks back and forth.
Height Requirement: At least 31″
Thrill Level: Low
Rescue Rafter
SeaWorld Rescue missions are always a joint effort, and that’s exactly what Rescue Rafter pays tribute to. This giant boat with plenty of space for everyone mimics the feeling of surfing the waves of the deep, blue ocean with a mellow swaying motion and some surprise spins peppered in for good measure.
Height Requirement: At least 42″
Thrill Level: Low
Rescue Riders
Formerly Elmo’s Flying Fish, Rescue Riders is a classic spinner ride à la Dumbo the Flying Elephant at Disneyland Park and Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Following the Rescue Jr. retheme, this high-flying attraction at SeaWorld San Diego now boasts ride vehicles inspired by jet skis.
Height Requirement: At least 48″
Thrill Level: Low
Riptide Rescue
For this classic spinner ride at Sea World San Diego, climb aboard a speedboat and hold on tight as you set out in search of sea turtles to rescue. Riptide Rescue is pretty tame overall, with gentle lifts and a few twists and turns, making it a great choice for younger kids who aren’t ready to dip their toes into the park’s more exciting rides.
Height Requirement: At least 45″
Thrill Level: Medium
Sea Dragon Drop
For young kids who aren’t thrill-ride ready yet but are still interested in testing the waters, Sea Dragon Drop hits the sweet spot. This fun-sized drop tower is nice and small while still throwing in a few easy drops to keep things interesting.
Height Requirement: At least 42″
Thrill Level: Low
SkyTower
Located right near Mission Bay, SeaWorld San Diego is only a short distance away from some of the best views in Southern California. And there is no better place to take them all in than from the top of the SkyTower. Priced at $6 per person, this attraction isn’t free with your admission like most of the park’s attractions. However, thanks to its lofty height of 320 feet, this gentle attraction does offer breathtaking views of Mission Bay, the Pacific Ocean and San Diego’s historic skyline, with 360-degree panoramic vistas reaching up to 100 miles away.
Height Requirement: At least 48″
Thrill Level: Low
Tentacle Twirl
We don’t know about you, but we love a good swing ride, Tentacle Twirl included. One of the more thrilling kid-friendly attractions at SeaWorld San Diego, this jellyfish-themed swing ride gets some decent height and turns surprisingly fast, making it a good time for kids and even adults.
Height Requirement: At least 48″
Thrill Level: Low
Tidepool Twist
Get ready to twist and shout on Tidepool Twist, a spinning-teacup-style ride at SeaWorld San Diego. This arm-powered attraction includes fun facts about the sea creatures that call tidepools home, meaning that you just might learn a thing or two as you careen to and fro.
Height Requirement: At least 42″
Thrill Level: Low
Well, that brings our SeaWorld San Diego rides guide to an end. What are your favorite rides at the San Diego SeaWorld? (Arctic Rescue, Electric Eel and Journey to Atlantis get our vote.) Do you go to SeaWorld for rides, animals or both? Let us know in the comments! Then, find out how you can score some savings on your park admission with our discount SeaWorld tickets.
