Policies

You must be 21 years of age (valid state-issued driver's license with photo or state-issued identification card with photo required by state law) to purchase, possess or consume alcoholic beverages at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium or Zoombezi Bay.

The Ohio Revised Code (Ohio code number 4301.62) prohibits bringing beer, wine or intoxicating liquor on property, including picnic shelters, or leaving the park with alcohol purchased here.  Alcoholic beverages are not prohibited while in line for any attraction.

Proper swim attire is required which includes lined swimsuits and swim diapers for diaper-dependent guests. The list below encompasses attire not permitted in the park and/or on waterslides:

• Jeans, zippers or shorts with metal objects (not permitted on water slides)
• Offensive or provocative items on clothing and swimwear 
• Clothing that may expose excessive portions of skin that may be seen as inappropriate in a family environment 
• Exposed genitals and bare breasts are not permitted.
• Costumes or disguises that conceal identity 
• Offensive tattoos must be covered

Park Management reserves the right to determine appropriateness of swimwear and proper course of action. Zoombezi Bay reserves the right to refuse admission or remove guests from the park without refund to anyone who refuses to comply with the dress code. . If guests have questions, please visit Guest Relations.
 

The waterpark reserves the right to close any attraction for weather, mechanical or operational considerations. Please follow the instructions of park staff during an attraction closure.

• To help ensure that all guests enjoy a safe experience during their visit, all bags and coolers are subject to search and only authorized bags will be permitted inside the gates at Zoombezi Bay.
• Any cooler that is hard-sided is not permitted inside the gates at Zoombezi Bay.
• Small soft-side lunchboxes are permitted in the park. Park Security reserves the right to determine if your cooler meets pre-determined requirements for entry. In general, a soft-side lunchbox cannot exceed 10 inches wide by 12 inches long when full. 
• Necessary medication, medical equipment, or dietary needs may be brought into Zoombezi Bay. If required to be kept cool, please place inside a soft-side lunchbox that does not exceed 10 inches wide by 12 inches long when full.
• Coolers or items not meeting the requirements must be left in a designated cooler storage area or stored in personal vehicles.
• Designated cooler storage areas are located in close proximity to each entrance of Zoombezi Bay.
• Coolers left outside of designated cooler storage areas will be relocated to the nearest cooler storage location.
• Guests may access their items throughout the day by receiving a handstamp upon exiting.

Zoombezi Bay offers a variety of food and beverage choices.  However, you may leave food (excluding alcohol and glass containers) just outside of Zoombezi Bay's entrance at the Cooler Cove, but each guest may take into the park one small snack item (individual items limited to quart size baggie) and one 20-oz. beverage into the park. Hard-sided coolers are not permitted inside Zoombezi Bay.

Examples of one small snack include:

• Baggie size sandwich
• Baggie full of grapes or fruit slices
• Small bag of chips (approx. 3 oz)
• Small container of yogurt
• Individual serving of fruit snacks
• An apple, orange, or banana
• One wrapped package of six small cheese/peanut butter crackers
• Juice box
• 20 oz non-alcoholic beverage in plastic container

For more information about the Zoo and Zoombezi Bay's bag policy, please see the Bag and Cooler policy listing. Your park admission will allow you to exit the park to enjoy your packed meal at the Cooler Cove and re-enter when you finish.

Guests may call (614) 645-3400 if they have special dietary needs, food allergies, or are bringing an infant to the park. Staff can provide additional information on food options.

Guests with casts or prosthetics may require a cover and may be limited on what water slide attractions they may ride. Please visit Guest Relations for complimentary covers and for further information on which attractions will be suitable for your visit.  

Guests may exit the park to visit the Zoo, go to their car or experience the Rides at Adventure Cove. Show your hand stamp or receipt from your ticket purchase to re-enter Zoombezi Bay. Additional fees are required for each ride at Rides at Adventure Cove. All rides are included with a Gold Membership.

Life jackets are complimentary and are available at six various locations throughout the park. Any outside flotation devices must be U.S. Coast Guard approved. “Water wings,” pool noodles, or similar flotation devices are not U.S. Coast Guard approved and are not permitted to be used in Zoombezi Bay.  

Children age 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult for admission, and all children should check in with their parent or guardian on a regular basis. 

Guests are permitted to use any mobile device or camera on any attraction deck area.

Guests are not permitted to have any mobile devices or cameras in use in any water attraction, bath houses and bathrooms.

• Marijuana and vapes
• Weapons
• Outside alcoholic beverages
• Glass bottles, glass containers, or similar items
• Grills or any open flame
• Crockpots
• Radios
• Personal beach or lawn chairs

Zoombezi Bay does not issue rain checks or refunds.

Dogs or other animals of any kind are prohibited on grounds with the exception of service dogs. Please be mindful of the danger of leaving pets in your vehicle while visiting our park.

COLUMBUS ZOO SERVICE ANIMAL POLICY

Disrespectful behavior, such as vulgarity, loitering, intoxication, line jumping, theft, and all other actions that negatively impact our guests will not be tolerated, and may result in ejection from the park without a refund. 

Zoombezi Bay reserves the right to deny admission or cancel any membership/season pass if the bearer violates park safety or security rules or if the bearer has been convicted of any crime of a type that could pose a threat to the safety of our guests, including without limitation, any sex crime, or if the bearer is required to be registered as a sex offender (or words or similar import) in any jurisdiction.

To help us ensure guest safety, all guests are encouraged to "see something, say something" by contacting a Zoombezi Bay staff member with any safety or security concerns.

Zoombezi Bay allows the use of tabacco products in Designated Smoking Areas Only (see map for these locations.)

Marijuana is not permitted in the facility.

Smoking in unauthorized areas or the use or marijuana may result in ejection from the park without refund. 

Zoombezi Bay offers 18 various shaded areas in our lounge chair sections of the park. 

• Large shade umbrellas, beach umbrellas, personal shade structures, tents and tent-like structures are prohibited at Zoombezi Bay.
• Handheld umbrellas used for shade and shelter from the rain are allowed.
• Small lounge chair "clip on" shade umbrellas are also permitted. These should be no larger than a handheld umbrella.

Personal manual or motorized wheelchairs are permitted at Zoombezi Bay; these devices are not permitted to enter any attraction, but are permitted at the water’s edge of Wild Tides wave pool, Baboon Lagoon, Tiny Tides and Sand Dollar Shores.  

A limited supply of aquatic-rated wheelchairs are provided for guest use.  Please visit Zoombezi Bay Guest Relations for more information.