Take a full tour of the Wave Beach Family Park in Lekki: play zones, archery, horse riding, the games lounge, the aquarium, food, safety tips and a sample family day plan.
Wave Beach calls itself Lagos' first beachfront family park and entertainment hub. That means something simple: you can bring your children to the Atlantic coast and find more than sand and waves waiting for them. There are play zones, a bouncing castle, archery, horse riding, a games lounge, an aquarium, a pool and food, all in one place on Elegushi Beach.
This guide walks you through the park stop by stop, the way you would see it on a visit. It explains what each area is, which children it suits, and what parents should know before they go. At the end, you will find a sample day plan, safety tips, a packing list and the easiest way to book.
Why a family park by the beach matters in Lagos
Lagos is a city of more than 17 million people, and it is short of places where children can simply play. In 2025, the Christian Science Monitor reported on a Lagos teenager, Amara Nwuneli, who turned a former dump site in Ikota into a small green park. The article describes "an acute shortage of safe and accessible public parks" in the city. Amara explained why she built it: "I grew up in Lagos, and I know what it feels like not to have a place to just be a child." You can read the full Christian Science Monitor story here.
Researchers have found the same problem. A 2026 study of parks and playgrounds in Mushin, Lagos, by O. Ajakaiye and T. Ojikutu, found that poor facilities, security worries, long distances, broken equipment and overcrowding keep children away from outdoor play. The researchers noted that many young people now turn to "digital entertainment and informal neighborhood play" instead.
This is not only a Lagos problem. The World Health Organization reports that 81% of adolescents aged 11 to 17 around the world do not get enough physical activity. WHO guidelines recommend that children aged 5 to 17 get an average of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity every day.
Parents have felt this gap for years. Back in 2017, a parent writing for Naija Nomads described a children's event at Elegushi and said: "Lagos can be a bit frustrating for parents of toddlers and older kids." The same writer added that "there is an information vacuum" about kid-friendly places in the city.
The Wave Beach Family Park was built for those parents. It gives children a safe, organised place to run, climb, aim, ride and explore, with the ocean right beside them.
Before you arrive
Wave Beach is at Elegushi Private Beach Road, Ikate, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. It sits inside Elegushi Beach, which has its own main gate run separately from Wave Beach.
Our opening hours, ticket prices and activity times can change with the day, the season and special events. Before you set off, send us a message on WhatsApp to confirm what is open and what it costs. Details are at the end of this guide.
Now, let's start the tour.
Stop 1: The play zones and bouncing castle
For most young children, this is where the day begins and ends. Our official pages describe "family-friendly play zones" and a bouncing castle, built for children to run, jump and burn off energy.
Who it suits: toddlers and children up to about 10 years old get the most from this area.
What parents should know:
- Bouncing castles work best when children of similar sizes play together. If older children are jumping hard, ask small children to wait a few minutes.
- Shoes usually come off on bouncing castles. Keep a small bag for shoes so they do not get lost.
- Children get hot and thirsty fast in the Lagos sun. Plan a water break every 20 to 30 minutes.
When you book, ask which play activities are included in your child's ticket on the day you visit.
Stop 2: The Archery and Adventure Zone
Our homepage describes this area in one line: "Sharpen your aim, challenge a friend, have fun."
Archery is the sport of shooting arrows from a bow at a target. It may look simple, but hitting the centre of a target takes focus, steady breathing and patience. That makes it one of the best activities in the park for older children, teenagers and adults.
Who it suits: older children, teenagers, and parents who want to join in. Archery is one of the few activities where a parent and a 12-year-old can compete as equals.
Why children enjoy it:
- It feels like a real sport. Older children often find playgrounds too "babyish." Archery gives them something grown-up to try.
- It builds focus. Children learn to slow down, aim and breathe before they shoot.
- It is a fair contest. Strength matters less than calm and practice, so a careful younger child can beat an older sibling.
Make it a family competition and keep score on your phone.
Stop 3: Horse riding on the sand
Horse riding is one of the activities listed on our Bookings & Events page. For many Lagos children, it is the first time they have touched a horse, let alone sat on one.
One parent who visited with their children wrote in a public review: "there's a free horse ride too, which my kids enjoyed."
Who it suits: most children who are old enough to sit up straight and hold on. Ask our team about age rules and whether a handler walks beside younger riders.
What parents should know:
- Ask whether horse riding is included in your ticket on the day of your visit.
- Closed shoes or sandals with straps are safer than slippers for riding.
- Let nervous children stroke the horse first before they climb on. It helps them relax.
- Have your camera ready. This is one of the best photo moments of the day.
Stop 4: The Games Lounge
Our homepage describes the Games Lounge as "Snooker, board games and indoor entertainment under one roof."
This is the indoor part of the park, and it solves a real problem for families. Lagos weather can change quickly. When the sun is too strong or rain comes in, the Games Lounge gives everyone a shaded place to keep playing.
Who it suits: older children, teenagers and adults. Board games also work well for mixed ages, so grandparents can join in.
Why it matters:
- A break from the heat. The middle of the afternoon is the hottest part of a Lagos day. Moving indoors for an hour keeps children from getting tired and cranky.
- Something for teenagers. Snooker is popular with older children who want to hang out without being in the "kids' area."
Stop 5: The aquarium
Our homepage describes the aquarium as "a calm, immersive underwater world where marine life comes alive — a peaceful, family-friendly escape." We call it Nigeria's first beachside aquarium.
The aquarium is a different kind of stop. After the noise of the play zones and the excitement of archery, it gives children a quiet space to look, wonder and ask questions. Many Lagos children have only seen the ocean from the shore. Here, they can see the kind of life that moves under the water.
Who it suits: every age. Toddlers love the colours and movement. Older children ask questions about how fish live.
What parents should know:
- Ask children not to tap on the glass. The sound frightens the fish.
- Turn off your camera flash.
- Ask our team whether the aquarium is included in your ticket on the day you visit.
Stop 6: The beach itself
Of course, the beach is part of the park. Our official pages list beachfront relaxation and beach sports among the things to do. Children can build sandcastles, kick a ball, collect shells and watch the waves.
A word on the sea: the Atlantic at Elegushi has strong waves and currents. Children should never go into the water alone, and families should follow the guidance of our staff on where and when it is safe to get wet. For younger children, the sand is more than enough fun.
Stop 7: The pool and cabanas
Our Bookings & Events page describes our "Pool & VIP Cabanas / Chill Zones" as being "for those who prefer poolside comfort with ocean breeze."
A cabana is a covered seating area, like a small private hut. For families, it becomes your base for the day: a shaded place to keep bags, towels, snacks and dry clothes, and a spot for parents to sit while children play nearby.
What parents should know:
- Cabanas are booked separately from tickets. Ask our team what is available on your day.
- Weekends and public holidays are the busiest times, so book early for those days.
- Choose a cabana with a clear view of the area where your children will play.
Stop 8: Food from Hungry Lion
Every tour needs a lunch break. Our kitchen, Hungry Lion, serves what our homepage calls our "signature flavors," from fresh seafood platters to tropical cocktails for the adults. Hungry Lion also delivers.
Tips for feeding a family:
- Ask for our menu on WhatsApp before you come, so you can plan what everyone will eat.
- Order lunch a little early, before the busiest part of the day.
- Ask about our rules on bringing your own food and drinks before you pack snacks.
Stop 9: Photo spots and themed zones
Our FAQ lists "photo spots and themed zones" among the things to do at Wave Beach. For families, these are the places to take the pictures that go in the family album, or on the family WhatsApp group.
Plan a photo stop in the late afternoon, when the light is softer.
Evenings at Wave Beach
When the sun goes down, Wave Beach changes. Our official pages describe "regular parties, raves, music nights, karaoke, weekend vibes," along with weekend DJs. We also host movie nights on the beach.
Movie nights and karaoke can be fun for families with older children. Late-night DJ events and raves are aimed at adults. If you are coming with children, plan to leave in the early evening, or ask our team which evening events are suitable for families.
Birthdays and celebrations
The family park works well for children's birthdays. Our official FAQ confirms that we host birthdays, reunions and other celebrations.
For bigger parties, the Hall of Odin is our event hall, designed for anything from 50 to 500 guests. A birthday can start in the hall with cake and music, then move outside to the play zones and the beach.
We also run special days for children. For Children's Day in May 2024, we announced on X that entry was free for all kids. Ask our team about offers for upcoming holidays.
A sample family day at the park
Here is one way to plan a full day with children of different ages:
- Late morning: arrive, settle into your cabana, and let the younger children head to the play zones and bouncing castle while the sun is still gentle.
- Midday: archery for the older children and parents. Then horse rides.
- Early afternoon: lunch from Hungry Lion in the shade.
- Mid-afternoon (the hottest part of the day): move indoors to the Games Lounge and the aquarium.
- Late afternoon: back out to the sand for sandcastles, beach games and family photos in the softer light.
- Early evening: pack up and leave before the evening traffic and late-night events.
What visitors say
Families who have visited Wave Beach have shared their experiences in public reviews and on social media.
A guest named Taiwo, quoted on our homepage, wrote: "The games at Wave Beach were interesting. And mad wave party was so lively. I felt secure the whole time, which made it even better."
The parent quoted earlier wrote that their children enjoyed the horse ride. A TikTok visitor, @thevelmawilliams, summed up her family day simply: "We had an amazing time!!"
Lagosians want more places like this. When Legit.ng reported on a video of a Lagos aquarium in 2025, one commenter wrote: "Finally, no be every time a restaurant." A family park gives families something to do together beyond eating out.
Safety tips for parents
- Agree on a meeting point. Pick a spot, such as your cabana, where everyone meets if someone gets separated.
- Write your number on young children. A wristband or a note in a pocket helps staff reach you fast.
- Use sun protection. Hats, sunscreen and light clothing make a big difference in the Lagos sun.
- Keep water close. Children often forget to drink until they are already tired.
- Stay with children near the sea. Follow our staff's guidance at all times.
- Watch the play zones. Even in a safe space, small children need an adult nearby.
What to pack
- Sunscreen and hats
- Water bottles
- A change of clothes for each child
- Towels
- A small bag for shoes
- Wet wipes and hand sanitiser
- A phone power bank
- Cash in small notes for the Elegushi main gate
How to book your family day
Our prices change with the day, season and events. To get today's price and confirm what is open, go to our Bookings & Events page and click Book Tickets. It opens a WhatsApp chat with our team. You can also message us on WhatsApp at +234 912 598 4938.
To get every answer in one message, send this:
"Hello Wave Beach. We are a family of [number], with children aged [ages]. We want to visit the family park on [day and date]. Please share ticket prices, which activities are included, opening times, cabana availability and any family offers."
Final thoughts
Lagos has too few places where children can just be children. The Wave Beach Family Park brings play zones, a bouncing castle, archery, horse riding, a games lounge, an aquarium, a pool and food together on one stretch of Elegushi Beach.
The best family days here follow the sun: outdoor play in the gentler hours, indoor games and the aquarium in the afternoon heat, and the sand again before you head home. Book a cabana as your base, agree on a meeting point, and send us a WhatsApp message before you come so you know exactly what is open and what it costs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Wave Beach Family Park?
It is the family area at Wave Beach Lagos, on Elegushi Beach in Lekki. It includes play zones, a bouncing castle, archery, horse riding, a games lounge and an aquarium, beside the beach.
Are all activities included in the ticket?
It depends on the day and the ticket. Message us on WhatsApp at +234 912 598 4938 to confirm what is included.
Can I host a child's birthday at Wave Beach?
Yes. We host birthdays and other celebrations. For larger parties, our Hall of Odin holds 50 to 500 guests.
Is it safe for children to swim in the sea?
The Atlantic at Elegushi has strong waves and currents. Children should never go into the sea alone. Always follow the guidance of our staff.
What are the opening hours?
Hours can change with the season and events. Message us on WhatsApp to confirm before you visit.