17 Best Rides At SeaWorld San Diego
Are you wondering what the best rides at SeaWorld San Diego are? Want to map at which SeaWorld San Diego rides you have to go on?!
Perfect, You are in the right spot!
SeaWorld Parks are known for their animal encounters but many people do not realize that SeaWorld has some amazing roller coasters! We love going to SeaWorld just for the rides! The Seaworld attractions are legit!
My family loves them. We have a mix of thrill seekers and those who avoid them! The SeaWorld San Diego ride options offer something for everyone.
In this post, we are going to list the best rides at Sea World San Deigo! I will include water rides, thrill rides, and family rides.
Let’s explore the best rides at SeaWorld San Diego!
If you want to save this for later be sure to pin this to Pinterest.
This post may contain affiliate links (Including Amazon) that will give me a commission at no additional charge to you.
Tickets for SeaWorld San Diego
Before we jump into the best rides at Sea World San Diego, let’s talk tickets!
SeaWorld San Diego is always offering amazing deals. Before you buy your tickets make sure to ask me in the Facebook Group if they have any promotions going on.
SeaWorld San Diego Tickets
Ticket prices are around $114 but like I said they always have deals.
You can bundle your ticket with a meal plan or quick queue passes. Last time we did the meal plan and it was amazing! Every hour you can eat a full meal.
We bought two meal plan packages and regular tickets for everyone else. We were able to share the food easily and there was plenty for everyone!
Quick Queue Front of the Line Pass
SeaWorld offered us front-of-the-line passes and we loved them. Almost every ride had a special entrance where we were able to get right on the rides.
Although we went on a day that was not very crowded we still loved using them. On a crowded day, it would be a lifesaver.
SeaWorld San Diego Tips
There are two options. Option one is a basic quick queue unlimited pass which allows unlimited rides on most of the rides.
Your second option is a quick queue premier which has the same unlimited rides but also gets reserved seating at the shows.
If you purchase the all-inclusive bundle for around $153 (prices vary), it includes this.
How Are The Rides at SeaWorld San Diego?
The most anticipated part of our SeaWorld San Diego vacation for my kids was getting to ride roller coasters. They were so excited!
SeaWorld has a range of ride offerings. From the intense Electric Eel (54 inches) to the rides at Rescue Jr, there are both intense and slow-paced rides.
We had a great experience getting to try out all the best SeaWorld San Diego rides.
SeaWorld San Diego Water Rides
There are two water rides: Journey to Atlantis and Ship Wreck Rapids. These rides are so fun! We went on them over and over again!
1. Ship Wreck Rapids SeaWorld San Diego
Ship Wreck Rapids is a traditional water raft ride. The ride could use a bit more waterfalls and caves, but you will get your share of drops and water. My four-year-old begged to go on it!
Sea World San Diego Ride Tips
I highly recommend bringing ponchos for the SeaWorld water rides! We bring these to every amusement park trip. It stinks to be wet all day after riding a water ride!
2. Journey to Atlantis SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld Ride Heights: 42″
On the other hand, Journey to Atlantis is fantastic! It mixes portions of a log ride with a roller coaster; with a couple of drops!
Our little ones could not get enough. They rode Journey to Atlantis seven times (and would have ridden it more but for the adults saying, “no mas!”).
This ride is themed and takes you on an adventure to the lost city of Atlantis.
Roller Coaster Rides at SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld has the best roller coasters on the West Coast! Seriously, I don’t think people realize how awesome some of the roller coasters are at SeaWorld San Diego.
3. New Rides at SeaWorld San Diego Emperor
SeaWorld Ride Heights: 52″
The Emperor is one of the newest rides at SeaWorld San Diego. I haven’t been on it yet. However, we just went to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg (which is owned by Seaworld) and rode the Griffin and it looks very similar!
It was awesome. You will nose dive 90 degrees. There is no floor so your feet dangle as you drop. It is a new ride at SeaWorld you do not want to miss!
4. SeaWorld San Diego Manta
SeaWorld Ride Heights: 48″
Another favorite is Manta, a coaster that will send you flying from the get-go. This roller coaster is huge, but not intense.
There are no upside-down turns or jerky movements. I personally like that it is a long roller coaster ride that is not too crazy!
5. Electric Eel San Diego
SeaWorld Ride Heights: 54″
Electric Eel is an intense coaster and looks like so much fun! Unfortunately, when we went it was closed all day!
We did ride something similar when we went to Williamsburg and it was fun.
Best Rides at SeaWorld San Diego – Thrill Rides
There are so many great Seaworld California rides!
6. Wild Artic SeaWorld San Diego
SeaWorld Ride Heights: Any
The Wild Arctic is a SeaWorld San Diego attraction more than a ride. It is similar to Disneyland’s Star Tours but not as intense. The exhibit it is located in is very detailed and really cool.
As you exit this ride, you will be at base camp arctic. You will get to see animals that live in the arctic.
My kids loved touching a wall made of ice and caves you could climb through.
7. Artic Rescue
Sea World San Diego Heights: 48″
Artic Rescue is one of the newest rides at SeaWorld San Diego! Basically, the story behind this ride is that the ice is melting and the animals are in trouble.
You will jump on a snowmobile and go on one of the longest and fastest roller coaster tracks in the park. Speeds reach up to 40 mph.
Best SeaWorld San Diego Rides
These are the best rides at Seaworld for adults and kids who love roller coasters but don’t worry if you have little kids, SeaWorld offers a lot of little kid rides.
We are going to take a look at the rides at SeaWorld San Diego that younger kids will love!
Will Little Kids Do Well at SeaWorld San Diego?
Definitely! Kids will love the SeaWorld rides!
There are plenty of little kid SeaWorld San Diego rides for the younger children. They will have a blast as they ride them all. There are three Rescue Jr.-themed rides and five ocean-themed little kid rides.
All of them are age-appropriate.
8. Rescue Jr.
Rescue Jr. is a new area for kids. It used to be called the Sesame Street Bay of Play. However, SeaWorld opened an entire amusement park all about Sesame Street in San Diego. It is specifically for littles.
Rescue Jr. is so fun for the little ones. There are three rides for the kiddos to jump on in this area as well as a splash pad and a climbing area.
Let’s explore the rides!
9. Tide Pool Twist
SeaWorld Ride Heights: 42″ or accompanied by an adult
Tide Pool Twist is a spin ride (I compare this to the teacups at Disneyland). My little ones loved it! Really, what is not to love!
There is information about all the different species that dwell in tidepools.
10. Rescue Riders
SeaWorld Ride Heights: 48″ or accompanied by an adult
Get ready to rescue some animals. This ride is similar to Dumbo, but instead, you will be jumping in jet skis.
The carts go up and down as you go in a circle. I love how little kids get the biggest smiles on their faces when they ride this.
11. Rescue Rafters
SeaWorld Ride Heights: 42″ or accompanied by an adult
Rescue Rafters is a great ride. It is a little boat ride that goes back and forth. We think it is great for parents and kids alike!
The story is that once you enter the boat you get to be just like the SeaWorld rescuers that go out into the ocean and help the distressed animals.
12. Rope Climbing Play Area
The Rescue Jr. area also has a rope and tunnel section that is a blast! Once you climb the ropes, there is a bridge and tunnel area to play on.
Our four-year-old had a great time in this area. We spent about two hours there before we told him enough was enough. He easily could have spent another hour playing without complaint!
Kid SeaWorld San Diego Rides In The Ocean Explorer Area
Located nearby is another area called Ocean Explorer. It has five more rides specifically for littles. This area has some of the best SeaWorld San Diego rides for kids.
This area is still designed for younger children but also attracts older kids as well. My 10-year-old didn’t want to do much in Rescue Jr. area but loved the rides in the Ocean Explorer area.
13. Sea Dragon Drop
SeaWorld Ride Heights: 36″ or accompanied by an adult
This ride is a child-size shot in a drop tower It is not very high but still is a thrill to ride.
14. Tentacle Twirl
SeaWorld Ride Heights: 40″- 48″ must be accompanied by someone 14 or older
We rode this ride at least three times. I loved that even my four-year-old could ride as long as I sat right beside him. It is basically, a spinning swing ride. Kids of all ages will love this one.
15. Riptide Rescue
SeaWorld Ride Heights: 45″
If you like a classic spinner ride then Riptide Rescue is for you. And if not, you can just watch from the sidelines.
16. Aqua Scout
SeaWorld Ride Heights: 36″
Aqua Scout is a submarine ride that spins and bounces around. Younger children will love this.
17. Octarock
SeaWorld Ride Heights: 36“
I loved all the SeaWorld San Diego ride options for younger kids. The Octarock was really fun. It is a boat that rocks and spins.
So to answer the question “will your little kids love SeaWorld?” The answer is Yes!
I believe the SeaWorld San Diego vacation would not be near as exciting if these rides were not included in the park.
Rides at SeaWorld San Deigo
Hopefully, this gives you a good overview of all the best rides at SeaWorld San Diego. There is something for everyone! There are SeaWorld rides for kids, teens, and adults.
If you want a complete SeaWorld Guide I have you covered. SeaWorld is such a fun family vacation! Have so much fun!
Facebook Community
If you have any questions be sure to join my Facebook Travel Community This great community can help answer any questions you may have about your upcoming trips. Plus, I try to add any great deals or promotions that companies send me!
San Diego Vacation
Also, if you are planning a trip to San Diego make sure to stop by the Marina District to see the USS Midway. My family also really loved Old Town and the Mormon Battalion Museum.
Legoland is in Carlsbad, which is really close to San Diego. My family loves all the rides at Legoland.
We love California if you want to extend your California trip, think about visiting Disneyland, California Adventure, and Downtown Disney. San Francisco is also an amazing place to visit.
