Volcano Bay Map & Layout – Navigating the Theme Park

Volcano Bay is built around the 200-foot Krakatau volcano. Three villages ring it: Wave Village at the front by the entrance, River Village and Rainforest Village on either side of the volcano. Krakatau is visible from almost everywhere in the park, so it is your main landmark, and you can walk from one end of the park to the other in under 10 minutes. The Universal Orlando app has an interactive map with live wait times, and paper maps are handed out at the entrance.

Volcano Bay is small next to Universal's theme parks, but knowing the layout still saves real time. Since TapuTapu virtual lines were retired, you walk to each slide and wait in its queue, so knowing which slides sit where, where the lockers are and where to eat helps you plan a day with less walking and more riding. For every attraction at the resort, see our Universal Studios Orlando attractions list.

Volcano Bay layout at a glance

Height requirements by attraction

These come straight from the official park map. Children between 42" and 48" must ride with a supervising companion, and children under 48" must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life vest.

Area-by-area guide

Wave Village

Wave Village is the first area you reach after the entrance. It is built around Waturi Beach, the big wave pool with Krakatau straight ahead, and The Reef, a calmer pool next to it. Ko'okiri Body Plunge, the park's most extreme slide, drops you out of the volcano through a trap door and ends here.

This is where most people set up for the day, so seating goes fast. It also has the park's biggest restaurant, Kohola Reef Restaurant and Social Club, plus Dancing Dragons Boat Bar and Koka Poroka Ice Cream Kona. First Aid and Guest Services are near the entrance. If you want the wave pool, the main restaurant and a short walk to the exit, base yourself here.

The Volcano

Krakatau is the center of the park and the icon you see on every postcard. The slides that start high up on the volcano are reached by stairs, and the climb takes a few minutes. At night the volcano glows with lava effects that you can see from across the park. The map lists one attraction for the volcano itself: Meet Vol, the Spirit of Krakatau.

River Village

River Village is the family side of the park. It has Kopiko Wai Winding River, the lazy river that floats through a cave, the Honu ika Moana raft slides, Runamukka Reef, a kids' play area with small slides, and Tot Tiki Reef for toddlers. It is also home to Krakatau Aqua Coaster, the four-person canoe ride that uses water jets to push you uphill and through the volcano. Whakawaiwai Eats is the counter-service spot here. Families with small kids can spend most of the day in this village.

Rainforest Village

Rainforest Village is the thrill side. It has the Ohyah and Ohno drop slides, Kala and Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides, Taniwha Tubes, Punga Racers (a mat race), the Maku and Puihi round raft rides and TeAwa The Fearless River, a fast action river. Puka Uli Lagoon and Hammerhead Beach give you somewhere calmer to cool off. To eat, there is Bambu, The Feasting Frog and Kunuku Boat Bar. If your group is here for the big slides, set up near Rainforest Village.

Landmarks to find your way

• Krakatau: the volcano in the middle. If you can see it, you can find your way.
• Waturi Beach: the wave pool at the front. If you are next to it, you are in Wave Village near the entrance.
• Kopiko Wai Winding River: the lazy river in River Village. Follow it and you are on the family side.
• The volcano stairs: lead to the slides that start high on Krakatau.
• Dining clusters: Kohola Reef and Dancing Dragons in Wave Village, Whakawaiwai Eats in River Village, Bambu, The Feasting Frog and Kunuku Boat Bar in Rainforest Village.

Lockers, restrooms and First Aid

• Lockers: rental lockers are spread around the park, not just at the entrance. Rent one first thing for phones, wallets and keys. The entrance lockers are the busiest, so a locker nearer the village you plan to spend time in is often quicker.
• Restrooms and changing rooms: every village has restrooms. Changing rooms with showers are near the entrance, which helps if you arrive in street clothes or are heading to a theme park afterward.
• First Aid: near the entrance in Wave Village, sponsored by Walgreens.
• Guest Services: near the entrance, for tickets, lost and found and accessibility help.
• Cabanas: reservable cabanas are marked on the map. They include shaded seating and a place to store your things, and they sell out on busy days, so book ahead.

Using the Universal Orlando app

The app is your best tool inside the park. It has a map that shows where you are, live wait times for every slide, mobile food ordering and park hours. Bring a waterproof phone pouch so you can check it all day.

Navigation tips from locals

• Pick your base by priority. Thrill slides mean Rainforest Village, small kids mean River Village, the wave pool and the biggest restaurant mean Wave Village.
• Walk past the crowd at opening. Most people stop to claim chairs near the wave pool. Head straight to Krakatau Aqua Coaster or the Rainforest Village slides for the shortest waits of the day.
• Float instead of walking. Kopiko Wai Winding River is relaxing, and it is also a nice break between slides.
• Set a meeting spot. Pick your locker, your chairs or a restaurant so nobody gets lost between slides.
• Mark the paper map. Circle your locker and your chairs. It is a good backup if your phone dies.
• Watch the sky. Summer afternoon storms can close slides and pools for lightning, so ride the big ones early.

Pick the right day with our Volcano Bay calendar and best days to go.

Getting to Volcano Bay

Volcano Bay is not next to Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure or CityWalk. From the main Universal Orlando parking garages, you take the free shuttle bus to the park entrance. Guests at many Universal hotels have their own shuttles, and Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort sits right next door. On summer mornings, allow extra time, because the shuttles back up when the park opens.

If you want Volcano Bay and a theme park on the same day, do Volcano Bay in the morning and the theme park in the afternoon or evening.

Tickets

Volcano Bay tickets are sold on their own and as part of multi-park Universal Orlando tickets, so check which parks your ticket includes.

How Volcano Bay compares to other Universal parks

Volcano Bay is the easiest Universal park to find your way around. Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure are loops around a lagoon, and Epic Universe is a central hub with four separate worlds (see our Epic Universe map and layout). At Volcano Bay, you circle one volcano, and it is almost impossible to get lost. What takes the most time here is the stair climb to the top of Krakatau.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a Volcano Bay map I can download?

Yes. You can download the official Volcano Bay park map as a PDF. The Universal Orlando app also has an interactive map, and paper maps are available at the entrance.

How is Volcano Bay laid out?

The 200-foot Krakatau volcano sits in the center. Wave Village is at the front by the entrance, and River Village and Rainforest Village are on either side of the volcano.

How long does it take to walk across Volcano Bay?

Under 10 minutes from one end to the other. The climb up the volcano to the tallest slides adds a few minutes.

Which Volcano Bay slides have a 48-inch height requirement?

According to the official map, Ko'okiri Body Plunge, Kala and Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides, the Ohyah and Ohno Drop Slides, and Honu of Honu ika Moana need riders to be 48 inches tall. Most other slides, including Krakatau Aqua Coaster, need 42 inches.

Where is the best area for young kids at Volcano Bay?

River Village. It has Tot Tiki Reef for toddlers, Runamukka Reef for kids, the Kopiko Wai lazy river and Whakawaiwai Eats, all close together.

Where is First Aid at Volcano Bay?

Near the park entrance in Wave Village.

Can I walk to Volcano Bay from CityWalk?

No. From the main parking garages and CityWalk area, you take Universal's free shuttle bus to Volcano Bay.

Where should I eat at Volcano Bay?

Kohola Reef Restaurant and Social Club in Wave Village is the largest spot. Whakawaiwai Eats serves River Village, and Bambu and The Feasting Frog serve Rainforest Village.

Is Volcano Bay wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Some slides require guests to transfer from a wheelchair, and Guest Services near the entrance can help with accessibility information.

Navigate Volcano Bay like a local

Download the map, pick a base near what you came for, walk past the crowd at opening, rent a locker early and keep the app handy for wait times. For more planning, see our best water parks in Orlando, Universal CityWalk hours and best days and the Universal Studios Orlando attractions list.

See every park map in one place on our Theme Park Maps page.