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.

No outside alcohol may be brought onto the Columbus Zoo and Zoombezi Bay premises. 

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. This includes, but is not limited to, "G-string"-style bottoms, swimwear that is see-through, and male thongs. 
• Body tape (sometimes called trans tape when used for chest binding) and other gender-affirming support products are permitted while visiting our park. Body tape must remain fully covered by and not be worn in lieu of appropriate swimwear.
• Exposed genitals and female 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.
• Glass items not permitted in park. This includes food storage containers and baby food jars, perfume, and makeup items.
• 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. Items left in designated cooler storage areas are subject to search, and prohibited items may be disposed of or destroyed. 
• 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.  

The Code of Conduct applies to all of our organization's parks, including the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Zoombezi Bay, Safari Golf Club, and The Wilds. This Code of Conduct applies to any physical visit or virtual contact, by whatever communication method is employed, between a guest or member and other guests, park staff, our animals, or others working with us or present in our Parks.

Unacceptable behavior including, but not limited to disrespectful behavior, actions that do or could disturb the peace, vulgarity, bullying, discrimination, intimidation, loitering, line jumping, theft or attempted theft, harassment, menacing,  disruptive behavior or contact, threats, placing an employee or other guest in apprehension, intimidation, repeated unnecessary contact, or any other behavior deemed by the Zoo to be inappropriate with its guests, employees and contractors may result in ejection from the park without a refund and/or revocation of membership.

Our parks reserves the right to deny admission or cancel any membership if the bearer violates park safety and security rules, this Code of Conduct, or the Admission and Membership Terms and Conditions or if the guest or member has been convicted of any crime of a type that, in the Zoo’s judgment, could pose a threat to the safety of our guests, employees, animals, or others working with us including without limitation, any sex crime, or if the bearer is required to be registered as a sex offender (or words of similar import) in any jurisdiction.

To help us ensure guest safety, all guests are encouraged to contact a Zoombezi Bay staff member with any safety or security concerns.

Guests may exit the park to visit the Zoo, go to their car or experience the Rides at Adventure Cove. Show your hand stamp 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 select water attractions and all bath houses, restrooms, and any other areas where privacy is expected. 

Filming of others without consent is prohibited. 

Dogs or other animals of any kind are prohibited on grounds with the exception of service animals. Do not leave pets in your vehicle while visiting our parks. 

COLUMBUS ZOO SERVICE ANIMAL POLICY

• Marijuana and vapes (including marijuana/THC-enriched products)
• Weapons
• Outside alcoholic beverages
• Glass bottles, glass containers, or similar items
• Grills or any open flame
• Crockpots
• Radios
• Personal beach or lawn chairs
• Pool toys, including (but not limited to) squirt guns, dive toys, and pool noodles. 
• Recreational scooters and roller skates
• Snorkel gear and/or goggles with nose coverings.
• Sports balls and similar play equipment
• See Umbrella Policy for additional prohibited items.

Zoombezi Bay does not issue rain checks or refunds. 

Click below to learn more about our Sunshine Guarantee program. 

Sunshine Guarantee Program

Zoombezi Bay allows the use of tobacco 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, Pelican Point, 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.