Pirate's Cove water park provides cool enjoyment in hot weather

Wheeeee, splash!

Pirate's Cove water park pulsates with a message of  play from the moment of arrival. Children wait to enter with barely restrained excitement. Immediately inside, they race walk straight to the water. What attracts their attention? A 24-foot slide and water play structure square in the center of pool’s shallow end. To their delight, a 300-gallon dumping tank regularly drenches them every few minutes. For those who cannot wait until the tank refills, palm tree fountains continuously spray and smaller buckets can be emptied on hot heads at the pull of a chain. Children spend hours zipping down the smaller green slides and the exciting, blue tunnel.

(Image is hot linked from Pirate's Cove web site)

The smallest members of Blackbeard’s crew have their very own fenced grotto. A clam shell slide entices them to climb and splash with the same enthusiasm as their older brothers and sisters. Kids aged three to six alternate freely between the “big” and “little” kids’ pools, taking turns at being the youngest and the oldest. Older kids and adults tend to stay in the deep end of the large pool, practicing their pirate cannon balls off of the diving boards. 

Kids of all ages take a break by playing on Buccaneer Beach. The sand pit is well stocked with digging tools and well shaded by giant umbrellas. A creative play water element encourages cooperative learning as youngsters explore ways to move water across its length. Need a reason to dig? There's real buried treasure in the sand. Pirates have left gold coins behind, and children who retrieve them can redeem them at the entry desk for prizes.

After children have splashed to their hearts’ content and uncovered a chest full of treasure, they might notice the pirate theme that is carried throughout the park. Educational text panels strategically placed around the deck describe the colonial-era scourge of piracy. A fiberglass pirate figure and small-scale ship are not only fun to play on but also give mom and dad cute photo opportunities. While not precisely educational, the theme effectively creates and sustains a playful mood. This is enhanced by the upbeat children's museum piped in for a pool party feel.

Know before you go

Pirate's Cove is the ideal setting to while away one of Virginia's hot summer days. The park, located off of Gunston Road approximately four miles from Route 1, consists of a large pool, a toddler pool, and a sand pit. The large pool is divided into three depths. The park is especially well-suited for the under-ten crowd due to the friendly, central play structure. The pool is well-staffed by young life guards, and the sunny deck boasts an abundant supply of lounge chairs, many located under large umbrellas

Noodles, inner tubes, and inflatable arm bands are prohibited, but the park staff gladly supplies swim vests in a variety of sizes for non- and weak swimmers. Outside food and drink are not allowed inside the park, but Pirate's Cove operates a food stand with the standard offerings at a not unreasonable mark up. A shaded picnic area is located right outside the entrance, and visitors may enter and exit at will with a hand stamp. This is a popular destination for summer camps, many of which arrive right at opening. Consider planning your week day arrival for late afternoon to avoid the crowds. Lockers are available for a 50 cent rental. The keys do not have straps or pins, so bring appropriate accouterments if you want to keep the key attached to yourself.

This gem is nestled among the woods of Pohick Bay Regional Park. The park has camp sites for RVs and tents and features hiking trails, a marina, and even Frisbee golf. Check the web site to confirm hours of operation and admission prices prior to planning your visit. For the summer 2010 season, annual Bounce passes were available that granted season-long admission to five water parks in the Northern Virginia Regional Park Network: Pirate's Cove, Great Waves, Atlantis, Upton Hill, and Volcano Island.