Cooling off underneath the hot summer sun in South Carolina isn't always an easy thing to accomplish without staying indoors in the air conditioning, but thanks to the many water parks in the Palmetto State, there are some amazingly fun ways to cool down - even out of doors. The newest water park in the state opened last summer and it's one of the most underrated and fun water parks ever.

For starters, it has a working volcano — that ERUPTS.

Neptune Island Waterpark is owned and operated by the City of Hartsville and is far enough removed from the main touristy areas in South Carolina to have manageable crowds.

The family-oriented park is clean, organized, and well-staffed, making a day at the park even more enjoyable.

Kids of all ages will find something to enjoy here. From the Piratesville Splash Pad to slides for big kids and slide for small kids, and more, a day at the park means a day that's filled with adventure and excitement.

The Endless Abyss lazy river is both wide and long.

Hop on or in a tube and lazily float on a river that meanders both through the park and around the outer perimeter for a long, slow tour where you get to see it all.

Folks love the attentive staff and those with small children appreciate them even more.

Neptune Island is a fantasy land where pirates, mermaids, and big ocean creatures rule the surf. The park is filled with creative embellishments that follow suit, including a pirate ship and a water beast, as well as the erupting volcano that spews water into the air before it eventually flows down the side of the mountain to be recirculated for the next eruption.

The water park's wave pool, Castaway Bay, is a favorite spot to get the feel of the ocean — without the chaos of the crowds on the coast during the summer.

Stand in the deep part or sit along the infinity edge and let the waves hit you for the full effect.

Then head over to the slides. There are three big slides from which to choose.

On one of them you'll hit speeds of 30 miles per hour on the near vertical drop. On the Trident Racers Mat Slide, you'll race an opponent to the bottom while riding down on a mat. And a third slide, the Twin Sirens Tube Slides, you'll wind your way to the bottom around a series of curves. Note: these three slides have height requirements.

To really max out the day in style, reserve one of the poolside cabanas.

Each comes with its own refrigerator, a cooling fan, and a host that brings you food and beverages. Some of the cabana packages even have a refrigerator that's already stocked with cold drinks! Whoa!

Can't wait to check it out? If there is one water park worthy of a day trip this summer, then Neptune Island Waterpark is it! It's open daily throughout the summer, with hours that vary. See this link for the complete schedule. For more information about the park, including the cost of admission, check out the official website here!

Address: 1109 14th Street, Hartsville, SC, 29550