Imagine a huge dome complete with a rainforest, flamingoes, Caribbean vibes, giant water slides and indoor hot balloons. Actually, you don't need to imagine it - it's already been conceived and well-executed at Tropical Islands. To start, it's not actually an island and it's entirely man-made, but don't let that turn you off. It's quite an experience, and a novel one at that! I am Jamaican, and whilst I will hasten to say there's nothing like the real thing, there was something about this place that reminded me of visiting an all-inclusive resort back home. I can't quite put my finger on it, but maybe it's a blend of these factors...
WHY I LIKED TROPICAL ISLANDS
It's a unusual experience! The concept of a simulated island and bringing that vibe so close to Berlin is fascinating. They've even gone the extra mile to include sand!
There are a host of activities and the place is HUGE! I promise you won't get bored. It's actually hard to see/do everything, especially if you're only visiting for a day.
Visiting in the winter adds another dimension. At this time, Berlin is grey and cold. There is something very special about leaving 0° outside and stepping into 28° weather instantaneously! It's also pretty fascinating to swim in the outdoor pools during the winter. Here, you experience the contrast of the warm water and frosty air colliding on your body as you are surrounded by steam (no, you won't get a cold).
The food was pretty good (it was expensive) but I enjoyed it more than I expected.
It's convenient! And so close to Berlin (2.5 hrs by public transport and 1 hr driving)! This makes it perfect for a daytrip. All you need to do is hop on a Regional Bahn (train), the RE2 to Cottbus which is accessible from several central train stations in Berlin. Your destination will be Brand Tropical Islands, where a shuttle bus will meet you for free to take you to the fascinating dome.
If it's your birthday, the ticket is free!
There are various accommodations to spend the night. From Bali-like huts inside the dome, to camping tents, to fully equipped holiday homes, a little distance away from the main site.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT TROPICAL ISLANDS
I visited in the heights of winter, on a snow day. Brrr!!! I went with my sister to celebrate her birthday and was delighted that she enjoyed free entry, which helped to reduce our costs. We boarded the Regional Bahn from Berlin Alexanderplatz and was at Brand Tropical Islands in no time! As we disembarked the train, there was the colourful, clearly labelled shuttle bus waiting on us just outside the station. Perfect timing, especially considering the weather! The bus ride was quick, clean and comfortable. When we arrived, checking in took a little while as there was quite a queue, but having several kiosks helped. It was a smooth and English-friendly process getting tickets. Just be sure to carry an ID for proof to access the birthday benefit or other discounts (there are ones offered for students and seniors). I loved having complimentary lockers and comfortable changing rooms to take off our winter garb and get ready for a day in the "sun". Off we went in our swim suits and towels, met by the vibrant sound of Caribbean music. I felt at home and was ready to dive in!
Our only task was to figure out where to go. It's easy to feel lost in this gigantic indoor island. There are maps to guide you around, but it's huge! We opted to visit the rainforest; after all, its the largest of it's kind featuring 50,000 plants and 150 butterflies. The water feature and beautiful flamingoes were a highlight!
We also checked out the spa area, but the prices of the services were a bit outside of our budget. Additionally, one needs a premium ticket to visit the sauna, so we went along our merry way to enjoy what out ticket covered. The spa does look very relaxing though - quite Bali-like, so if that's your thing, go for it! The sauna an Asian inspired experience with a Healing Clay Bath and Salt Cave.
Off to the pools we went! But which one? I felt like there were so many! We started with the sandy beach pool with waterfalls by the huts (The Lagoon). The main challenge was finding an empty lounge chair to place our towels, as they were full. Once we figured that out, it was time to enjoy the tropics!
Like a true hotel, Tropical Islands has souvenir and convenience shops, including a game arcade and gym. There is also a cinema and mini golf course. We couldn't help but stand amazed by the indoor hot air balloon rides. Maybe I'll try that next time!
Next on our itinerary was lunch. Oh! Important to note that you are not allowed to carry any food or drink inside of Tropical Islands. We saw an a la carte restaurant in the spa area, but opted for the buffet, thinking it would be more affordable. But guys! Beware! The buffet is priced by weight. It was my first experience with this type of model, and man did that weight add up quickly and so did my bill! In hindsight, I would have perhaps visited an a la carte restaurant as I feel I would have gotten more value for money. You will also have to pay Pfand (a security deposit of sorts that's very common in Germany) on your drink if it comes in a cup. It will be reimbursed when you return your cup. Tropical Islands is cashless. In line with it's trendy nature, you are given a smart wrist band upon entry. All additional costs are charged to your account when you swipe your band and the balance is paid at check out. So back to the food, yeah, just be mindful that the price you see at the buffet may not be final and don't get carried away. I had a Mango Lassi and Chinese food: noodles, spring rolls, General Tso's chicken (it was honestly one of the best Asian meals I've had in Germany). Unfortunately though, I wasn't full and definitely wasn't going back for more, so it would have to do!
Next up was the Sudsee pool which is the size of three Olympic swimming pools! Understandably this area was busier and noisier than the other pool, but it was fun! It is also the home to the Jungle Splash, a kid-centered water park. I definitely enjoyed the waterslides here, which seemed more like my thing as the adult alternative at its colossal height, was not for the faint of heart! It's actually the tallest water slide in Germany, so I wasn't just being a coward - plus is was closed at the time! So there! It was at the Sudsee that we marveled at how Tropical Island manages to keep this pools heated to 28°C as we read the indoor thermometer and treasured the warmth, wishing we could freeze the moment.
Our final stop was the Amazonia! You walk though a narrow passage way full of beautiful photos of tropical plants and animals until you arrive at the ultimate goal, a pool that leads to...you name it...outside!!! Remember, it was freezing cold in my case. I braced myself for the adventure! It was invigorating. Be aware that the pool outside was rather deep, so it's best used by swimmers. I didn't experience it, but there are actually several pools outside, including the Whitewater River, Germany's longest current channel that sweeps you down its curves and channels for a thrill. These additional outdoor features seemed to be in operation in warmer weather.
After our stop at Amazonia, we headed back inside, checked out the intriguing indoor tent campsite then prepared to checkout. It was helpful that the changing room has complimentary hair dryers. We had one glitch during checkout. Though there were several automated kiosks, the process wasn't as straightforward as hoped and we eventually needed to consult a team member for help. It was a bit stressful for us as we were under pressure to catch the departing shuttle and then our Regional Train back to Berlin. It all worked out though, we handed in our wristbands, paid our balance and left in time.
So here comes the million dollar question...would I recommend that you visit a giant dome that tries to mimic a tropical island? Sure! Why not! Would I go back? I've already purchased a coupon to! You can often secure discount deals to an overstay at Tropical Islands, here. This is where I got mine.
QUICK SUMMARY OF TROPICAL ISLANDS
Location: Krausnick (Brandenburg), Germany (60km from Berlin)
Rating: 8/10
Cost: 49 for a standard Day Ticket
How Long Should I Stay?: 1-2 Nights
Best Suited For: Family/Friends, Kid-friendly (there's now even a pool area just for toddlers!)
TIPS FOR VISITING TROPICAL ISLANDS
Here are some quick tips to bear in mind. Overnight stays at Tropical Islands can be quite pricey and become fully booked very quickly, especially in the summer months. Book at least one month ahead. Some of the more premium accommodations require a minimum stay of 2 nights. For cheaper stays, consider booking in the winter season (Nov-Feb). Staying in a tent also helps to cut costs and is an added adventure! Customer service via telephone is available in English. The wait can be lengthy, but it's a plus that they play a really catchy Caribbean jingle while you wait.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Check out my video on Tropical Islands in the link below! When you head over, feel free to subscribe if you enjoy this type of content!