Last call: Seize Summer Bucket List

PANAMA CITY BEACH — As August quickly approaches, so does the urgency to take advantage of every second of summer before the school year begins.

While much of the summer vacation has been much-needed time with family, in town and in Texas, I had asked my 10-year-old son in June what was on his "summer bucket list." After explaining the idiom, he named three things he was dying to do this summer in Panama City Beach — 1. Go to Shipwreck, 2. Go to Dave & Buster's, and 3. Go to brunch. We have crossed off No. 2 and 3 off more than once, but having only weekends while we are working to fit in fishing at the beach and swimming with cousins (when it hasn't been raining), have left the opportunities for No. 1 short-numbered.

So, after getting new shoes, and in between a haircut and school supplies, we plan to squeeze every last drop out of these last two weeks, including marking off No. 1.

We even passed up the opportunity to go to Schlitterbahn when we were in Texas, because after all, we already have one of the best water parks in the U.S. Shipwreck was named 11th best water park — rated by quantity and quality of reviews — by TripAdvisor in July on its list of U.S. Travelers' Choice water parks, up from No. 18 in 2016. 

For nearly 35 years, Shipwreck has operated each Spring through the first part of September. The park opened April 22 this year, with lifeguard training beginning the month before. 

My son has outgrown the Tadpole Hole's short animal, submarine and ship slides, where I used to set my stuff and lounge with neighbors and friends for the day. But the 20-acre tropical theme park has 12 attractions, and last year, we were brave enough to tackle nearly all of them. (Maybe we will do The Great Shipwreck's zip line this year.) 

Shipwreck has something for all ages, from toddlers to tweens, teenagers and adults. Take an inner tube down the Lazy River, more than 2,000 feet of a slow meandering current of waist-deep water, while you decide. And with more than 3 million gallons of water, a pool technician monitors chlorine and ph levels throughout Shipwreck every half hour. 

The Shipwreck Island Water Co. fort with a slide and super soaker topped by a Tipping Bucket was built in 2011 and has been my son's hang-out since leaving Tadpole Hole. He especially enjoys helping nearly fill the 750 gallon bucket, which turns over 100 times each day, and then calling me over. But then I can challenge him to a race on the Pirate's Race dueling slides. Lickety Split, which curves down into the 2.5-foot pool also is a great first slide for children who are just moving to the big-kid area.

The Zoom Flume, around since 1976, allows kids to double up on a mat slide with a parent or sibling and race to the bottom of the hill on one of three curving lanes.

Though my son enjoys playing in the waves at the beach, I prefer the Ocean Motion Wave Pool with 500,000 gallons of water and predictable three-foot waves, no rip tides and plenty of lifeguards on each side always watching. (Shipwreck employs 125-150 lifeguards with more on staff during peak season.) A horn sounds about every 10 minutes to alert pool guests of incoming waves. 

Other highlights include the White Knuckle River and Raging Rapids, while I will have to psyche myself up again for the Tree Top Drop and Pirate's Plunge. Our whole family can sit in the tube for the White Knuckle River, a 660-foot long twisting, winding inner tube ride. And I usually try to go first on the Raging Rapids, so Ia family member can push me forward when my inner tube gets stuck. (Lifeguards are also there to help out along the way.)

Shipwreck, 12201 Hutchison Blvd., is open from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Aug. 6, but then the hours begin dwindling. The water park is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 7, 9 and 11; 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 12 and 19; 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 20; 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 26 and Sept. 2-3; and 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 Sept. 4. The cost is $35.98 for persons 50 inches and taller; $29.98 for persons below 50 inches; $24.98 for seniors 62 and up; free for children under 35 inches.

For more information, call 850-234-3333 or visit ShipwreckIsland.com, which also has information about $4 off coupons.