Another great ride at Busch Gardens, one of my favorites! The name is derived from the word "shikra", an Asian-African hawk that is known to dive vertically for its prey. And this ride does just that! It climbs 200 feet, to then drop you at a 90 degree angle, followed by a whirlwind of a ride that includes an Immelmann loop. Highly recommend this one. read more

SheiKra - Amusement Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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This is one of Busch Gardens Tampa Bays most intense rides there is a similar ride at bush gardens Williamsburg called the Griffen Which I think is scarier They both have a great overhang drop where you hang and can see below you for a few seconds before soaring into the sky This ride has more twists and speed I believe I came on a slower day and was able to practically walk on the ride and even got to ride it more than once I felt very secure in the harness and will recommend this roller coaster for sure read more

SheiKra - Amusement Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

This is Ben's favorite ride at Busch Gardens and I had previously been on it before so knew itbwas a fun ride to go on. Pro tip: If you are on the shorter side like I am (5ft) then ride in the front... I know, I know some people don't like the front but this ride is set up like stadium seating and the middle and back rows are higher up so us shorter people have to basically jump up to get in them and over the leg harness which is just a pain. The back row is way too far up for me to do alone and feel like a little kid being picked up to get into it. Honestly, the front row wasn't anymore heart racing than the other two rows but but you get a great view of everything when you are there. The ride slowly takes you up to the top and then it lets you sit there for a few seconds before it drops you. The coaster goes in a little on the drop too which makes you feel even more weightless. The ride is short of time compared to others but super fun. read more

SheiKra - Front row baby!! - Amusement Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Love this ride! The drop at the beginning is a bit terrifying if you've never done it but that's what makes it a thrill ride. Once you get through that first drop the rest of the coaster is easy and so smooth. Each car holds a lot of people so it keeps the line moving. It's brightly colored and attracts a lot of attention. If you are watching from the ground there is a large splash zone that the coaster makes for adults and kids alike to run into and get wet. You don't get wet on the actual ride because the water spray comes out the back of the coaster. It's located in the Stanleyville area at a Busch Gardens Tanpa Bay. read more

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Still one of my favorite roller coasters. If you have never seen it, there are only three rows on the coaster, but it's around 10 seats wide. I like sitting on one of the end seat so there's nothing above or below you. This coaster is supposed to emulate a bird of prey flight. From the sidewalk, you can see the main drop, where the coaster stops for a few seconds before sliding down the track. What you don't see is there is a second draw a few seconds later. So much fun. There is usually a short line for this coaster especially in the morning. It's at the back of the park so keep that in mind for your touring plan. read more

SheiKra is the roller coaster I always save for last. It's all about the drop. Waiting in the longest line to experience the front row is a must. The worst part is the ascension to 200 feet. This is where my head spins with regret -every time. At the top of the hill you can see most of Tampa, which is beautiful and terrifying. The train pauses slightly before it hangs the first row over the edge of the 90 degree angled track. Not knowing exactly when SheiKra is going to "drop" you down is intense. Four to six seconds later you feel as though you're helplessly falling while reaching a speed of 70 mph! There are turns and loops and another drop. The second drop isn't as scary but thrilling nonetheless. SheiKra is only a couple of minutes long but provides an exhilarating rush. I always get right back in line afterward. One of the best rides at Busch Gardens! read more

SheiKra - Photo cred not mine - Amusement Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

It should be considered torture how they hang you there for 5 seconds! What a drop. Glad I finally conquered my fears and did it. Fantastic!

Oh. My. Gosh. As a rollercoaster newb I've been on a few lately just to get my feet wet. We went for the pass holder quick queue for Tigris today, BUT it wasn't operating, so my friend was like "woooo SheiKra" and I was like "wooo! No!" Anyways. She won, and so on we went. Today is a Wednesday and we came at opening and guess what? Zero line. So that also meant that my first time riding SheiKra was also my opportunity to ride in the front. I was terrified. I asked the little dude buckling us in if it's scary and I'm gonna die. He basically shrugged it off, and I made the Rocky reference "k, then. If she dies she dies?" Yes. That's it. If I die I die. On we went to the top. I literally almost died just rolling. And then. Then they hang you over the edge and my friend pops off "here we go! 5,4,3,2..." And I was like...you sound like our personal trainer but it dropped us before I could say anything except the F word, so we just went with that. The initial drop was the worst part but the rest was magnificent. The second drop was also intense but not like the first. I'm glad I worked myself up to SheiKra, but I really wasn't prepared to ride it this early in my coaster career! I'm about this life now! Next time we will do Kumba. And maybe Tigris if they have their crap straight. read more

SheiKra - I was the second person looking like I'm gonna die. - Amusement Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Ever go bungee jumping? Me neither, but I imagine this ride is as close to that feeling as it's safely possible to achieve. The idea is this: take a car of 24 people, hang it on the edge of a 90 degree vertical drop, and let go! Instantly, you're falling and weightless and pulling g-forces as you again climb into a loop and up a hill to drop vertically, yet again. You whip around the landscape of the Southwest portion of the park to end the ride by splashing bystanders with rooster-tail water spouts. A ride all too quick is the only thing, for me, that keeps this from a 5-star rating. Exhilarating! read more

Very smooth and exhilarating ride! It holds you at the top of the first drop then you fall unexpectedly like a drop zone! If you have been to the Williamsburg Busch Gardens it is similar to the griffin. The main difference is this one has a splash zone area. The kids love getting soaked but be aware if you don't want to get splashed, the wave goes quick a distance. read more

This is an amazing dive coaster, the small prelift is nice, it makes the lift not seem as scary. This coaster towering 200 feet tall, will drop you straight down 200 feet going 70 miles per hour. This is one of the most thrilling and fun coasters in florida, so it is a must ride. It has some pretty good theming in the queue. The single inversion, an Immelmann, is nice and calm, and is a good first inversion, if your not scared of the height. This is my 2nd favorite ride at the park, so I will continue to ride it every time. read more

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So, Sheeka finally rode Sheikra. Probably one of the scariest rides ever! I was terrified of getting on this ride as I'd heard of the height and drop. You go straight up to the point you feel you can't go any further, then you hang precariously over an edge. Which is all I remember because after that I became so afraid that I shut my eyes as tight as possible. There were some loops. We were speeding. I was splashed with water. I had a heart attack. Then it was over. Never riding again, but the thrill seeker in me knows that isn't true. I love coasters, and this joins the list of one of my faves. read more

I absolutely loved this ride! We got there at 10am, this area didn't open til 1030am. Ride problems caused us to wait til 11am for them to open the line. Ugh! ... BUT it was worth it because the line here gets long. Glad we waited it out because they solved the problem quickly. We also had 'quick queue' which you MUST get ... so we used our quick queue on it immediately after we rode it through the main line since we were at the front of the line. Two times in a row! Another fun part...At the end of the day I stood where the water sprays onlookers! So worth it and a nice way to experience the roller coaster and the bystander versions of Sheikra! read more

SheiKra - Sheikra! The drop where you hang for a few seconds! Also: ride on the end of the row on first row. You'll feel like you are hanging off! - Amusement Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Never have I ever been on a roller coaster and thought, "Wow, this is excellently engineered," as I fly through the air at 70mph - until SheiKra! This is the smoothest roller coaster I have ever ridden, and I've been on quite a few in my day! Whereas some coasters are known for jostling you around or even smashing your head into the sides of the shoulder restraints, SheiKra is a pure joy to ride, smooth and effortless. I'm not kidding when I say I mentally praise its engineering the entire 2:20 I'm on it! The "splashdown" element about halfway through the ride is so fun. You don't feel a single drop of water, but those on the ground walking too close will find themselves soaked as you pass! This coaster is also the first dive coaster to feature a true 90° drop! And it. is. BREATHTAKING! I refuse to ride anywhere but the front row. Creeping up to the "edge" of the track before the drop and hovering completely horizontally above the ground is an amazing experience. The anticipation wells perfectly before the plummet and kicks off a truly memorable and exhilarating experience! I want to ride it right now!!!! read more

*Click, click, click, click, click, click* That's the sound of you going 200 feet in the air. Inch by inch. You can hear every single click as you face the sky and get to the very top, take a curve...get to the end of the track....FACE STRAIGHT DOWN - AND STOP. Just hang there...looking down - or out over Tampa Bay if you care for a decent view. It feels like 5 minutes at least you are just hanging there. It's probably a few seconds. But I swear to you my palms are sweaty as I write this. Then you drop straight down - 90 degrees. It's about a 2 minute ride - much shorter than the others at Busch Gardens. I have never been front row - and might never do it - but you still get a crazy view as the seats are "stadium seating". Other than the initial stop - mid air suspension - and drop...there isn't much else to this coaster unfortunately. The colors (I touch on this in other coaster reviews) are pretty blah too. They have one section where you fly over people walking on the path through the park, and that's pretty cool - not so much for the passengers since you don't see anyone, but for the folks walking under it. All in all I'd say do it! It was the first dive coaster in the US and that looong ride up / quick dive down is worth the wait. read more

Wait to get a spot in the first row. It's worth it. As a Busch Gardens virgin, I was pretty naive to any of the park rides. I had heard about SheiKra but mainly chatter about how it has a pretty scary drop and used to have a floor. Basically, I was unprepared for what was coming my way. Not until after we slowly climbed 200 feet in the air and were tilted downwards to take off did it hit me... This was going to be one wild ride! Why the front row? That first drop feels so much more exhilarating when there is nothing between you and the ground below. From there, we went flying down and around. It was nighttime so even harder to see where we were going (in other words, all the more fun!). Like Falcon's Fury, I am ever impressed by how comfy this ride really is. No need to worry about your head getting banged around or the harness poking into your body. Once you get a hang of the track, you can have some fun with the photos. If you're anything like me, your first take will reflect pure terror. read more

I loved this dive coaster!! We arrived early to the park and make sure we rode this coaster first.. since there was no line. After putting my little purse in a locker nearby we were clear to ride it. The front seat is a must !!! What a great ride.. two dives too. What a great coaster.. its a must ride people! read more

Great ride...but the concept is better than the execution. Actually, let me say that differently. If you are from central Florida, and this park is what you have access too, this ride is a 10 out of 5 stars. It's amazing in that sense. However, if you are like me, and have been on 140+ coasters in your lifetime, then you already know, an amazing hook, does not make an amazing ride. There are two drops on this coaster, and they are both great drops, one of them bordering on excellent, and there is a lot of power in the first diving loop. However, outside of those elements, the rest of the ride is just, well, kind of just there. This is to no fault of the engineers. I mean seriously the elements are great, but unfortunately because of the uniqueness of the actual trains on this thing the layout can't be too much more than it already is. If you we're to ask me is it a reason to come to this park, my answer would weigh heavily on how much coaster experience you have. If we are talking Florida coasters only, then it is a top 10 coaster. If we are talking the county, then it isn't even on my top 25. If you've never been on a coaster this will make you poop on yourself from fear. You decide. SheiKra is a great ride and should you find yourself in Tampa Bay, it's not to be missed. I give SheiKra, a 4 out of 5 stars read more

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Not going to lie, I had a TON of anxiety while waiting in line for this coaster. I knew the drop was intense and I tend to get anxious waiting in line for ANY coaster, regardless of the fact that I always end up loving them. As usual, once I made it through the ride, I loved it! For a coaster, the seats were pretty comfy and entire track was relatively smooth. Rather than being a long train of cars, this vehicles are simply 3 rows of about 8-10 seats. What's nice about that is that whether you are in the front or back you have a great view as they utilize stadium seating! As noted, the first drop is the most jaw dropping part of the ride as you rapidly make your way up the lift hill, get to the drop point and as you are just far enough over the edge to have a great view of the ground below, you STOP before a nice drop down. The pause is just long enough to really get your heart rate up! The rest of the coaster is a ton of fun with great drops and loops. My #1 favorite coaster at Busch Gardens, for sure! Definitely worth a ride (or two)! read more

Everyone has their preference as far as where to sit in the cart on a roller coaster, but this is the one ride at Busch Gardens where I strongly encourage you to wait the extra few minutes for the front row. Sheikra has an incredibly unique design and is such a fun ride, it's my third favorite at this park. Sheikra is a floor-less dive coaster and that means a few things. First, sitting at 200ft above the ground it's pretty tall. Second, the dive part means the first hill takes you into a full 90 degree drop straight down at 70 mph. Third, the floor-less describer is pretty literal. The carts are designed so they hold you from behind and even though they are mounted to the track underneath, they're is nothing directly below your feet. It's like being on a suspended roller coaster but there's nothing above you. In the heat of the moment it really is like you're just flying through the air held by nothing. If it weren't for being able to see the track you'd think you were sitting in a magic chair, which is especially true if you're on the outside edge of this giant eight wide, three deep wing of a roller coaster cart. My reason for encouraging front row is apparent when you get to the top of that first hill. Right before you drop the cart stops for about three seconds, and if you're in the front row you're seat is stopped over the crest of that hill. It's an insane rush literally hanging from a shoulder harness 200ft in the air right before a true vertical drop at highway speeds. This goes into a full loop and then up a smaller yet still impressive second hill. Two more curves and then a dive into a piece of track nestled in a pond that spews water out both sides (onto to other park patrons if their not careful) before coming to a stop. This is an incredible thrill ride and ranks among my favorite coasters of all time. It is an absolute necessity to ride Sheikra! read more

SheiKra - Amusement Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Stopped at the Gwazi Park for the final night of Kenetix. Let me just say that when Busch Gardens puts on a party, they REALLY put a party on. There was a packed audience, there were top 40 songs, singing, dancing and a little girl balancing on a man's forehead -HOLY CRAP! The singers were amazing, FRANK has an awesome, soulful voice! I liked this year's version better than last, but each year just keeps improving. Thanks for the wonderful Summer Night's Programing, Busch Gardens! Keep up the good work! read more

Scary good in front. But tuck in your VIP pass so it doesn't fly away if you have one. And my 3D glasses from Howl o Scream almost flew off but it was a fun way to see the ride in a trippy visiony way. Definitely a rush and plenty of whooshes. read more

This is probably the best, extremely thrilling ride that will have your heart pumping fast no matter how brave you are. That feeling that you get when you are dangling looking at the drop that is to come and anticipating the second you are released, is second to none. I truly love this smooth, fast ride. It is well designed and you always come out of there accelerated and shaking of emotions. read more

This ride is is definitely a ride where seating is key. I sat in the back of the coaster so when it comes time to the big drop everyone hyped up you just have a few moments to look around Tampa with a good view. But the wait at the drop was a lot longer than expected so being in the front would have been insane at a stand still for such a long period of time. The wait time was surprisingly fast I got there at the perfect time being it only took about fifteen minutes or less to get on the ride. Overall the ride was fun and fast but on a day where the wait time is a hour plus wait I wouldn't pick this ride. read more

SheiKra - The second drop. - Amusement Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Awesome ride. Best part is when it stops when it's about to drop. The wait is never long because the car holds so many people. 100% worth the 5 minute wait. We went on it 5 times. read more

You must ride this. I demand it. It also does not matter where you sit, although the front row gives you more of an "OMG I'm gonna fall out" dangle. But sometimes the wait for that can be ridiculous. SheiKra is a very large coaster and the line usually moves quickly since they have several cars going at once and each can hold 24 people. It's not a ride with a long duration so people are on and off pretty quickly. The first drop is awesome and you get breathtaking views of all of Tampa when you get to the top. The second drop is really awesome too and you are whipped up and over a water area which is pretty cool. The thing that I love most about this ride is the size of the track. It's huge! Very very smooth coaster and a must ride if you are in the park. My friend hates it, but I always get her to ride it....and she laughs and smiles every time we do :) read more

I hate this ride. I have a fear of heights and it takes everything in me not to have a panic attack while I am on Sheikra. When I am going up the nearly vertical lift hill I genuinely question the life choices I have made that put me in that moment. When you reach the top it is so high that you can practically see Canada. Some people might enjoy the view, but all I can think is "I am going to die". Then as if they haven't tormented you enough the sick designers of this coaster have another surprise in store for you. They dangle you off the edge of the first drop. After what feels like 20 minutes you are finally released to plunge almost straight down. One thing is certain: I will be screaming louder than a 12-year-old girl at a Justin Bieber concert. It's at this point when I realize that I'm actually enjoying myself. Once the ride is over I'm tempted to go on it again and the whole sick cycle starts all over. read more

This is the BEST ride I have ever been on!! It is so scary and fun! The drop takes my breath away every time! If you are a thrill seeker I would recommend this ride! read more

SheiKra is THE Mac-Daddy coaster within Busch Gardens, and in my opinion within the entire state of Florida. Nothing can quite compare with the sensation of being strapped in and hauled up 200 feet in the air, and then dangled over the edge of the first drop for an agonizing few seconds while looking down at the ground below you. Yeah baby, this ride is intense! I love sitting in the front row on SheiKra and savoring the delightful torture of looking straight down the 90 degree drop before the brakes release and the car drops.......straight down at about 70 mph. From there it's a high-speed series of loops, twists, and drops before the splashdown finale when you finally catch your breath. This is a high-speed, adrenaline-pumping experience for thrill seekers. Oh, and for a totally different and terrifying experience, try this ride at night when you can't see what is happening and your imagination gets the better of you! read more

It was a weekday and the front of Busch Gardens was slammed with people. We eventually made our way to the back after waiting 30ish minutes for another ride. To our surprise there was no line. You read that correct NO LINE. We rode the front and the back in under 20 minutes. INSANITY. We were in a tight schedule and had free tickets so it was a wonderful treat to not only get to ride it once but twice and still have time for BBQ. read more

There is nothing more intense than the feeling you get as you are sucked into your seat while quickly ascending this relatively tall roller coaster. Then it swings you around, with complete silence you get to admire the view for a short time. Before you know it, you're dangling above a 200+ foot vertical drop. Just when you think the ride is stuck.... WHOOSH! You're flying. After the first drop, there is a zero G roll that is just insane. Honestly the rest is kind of a blur, but there is one more close to vertical drop. The only downside is that the ride is a total of about 2 minutes long. read more

Probably my favorite roller coaster in Florida (not that there are that many to choose from...) I love the adrenaline rush that you get as the coaster clinks up the initial climb. I especially love when they dangle you above the close to 90 degree angle drop. My absolute favorite thing to do on this ride is make my whole body go limp right before the drop so that it feels like you are free falling! For a second there your whole body feels weightless. I definitely recommend trying that out! My only wish is that the ride were longer or maybe had just one more drop :) read more

Falcon's Fury was intense, but I have to say Sheikra is my favorite ride at Busch Gardens. It gives a nice view of the Tampa skyline on the way from the lift hill to the 90 degree drop. The first drop is stomach dropping good fun, even if slightly less intense than Cedar Point's Valravn, which stands 30 feet higher. Sheikra rides nearly as smoothly as Valravn, though, surprising to me as Sheikra is 11 years older and Valravn is the absolute smoothest roller coaster I've ever ridden. Where Sheikra really has Valravn beat is the second drop. Dropping into a tunnel is a cool effect that Valravn really could have used to spruce up the second, shorter dive. I even got a little splash of water on one of my tunnel drops. (I rode Sheikra twice, on the right end, front and middle rows.) Sheikra sure is graceful for it's unweldy width and it's force. It's like you're a giant metal ballerina pirouetting around through massive loops and turns. Sheikra was my first coaster with a splashdown and it really seems like it's more for the spectators than the riders. It looks cool from the adjacent food court and there is a splash zone my mom was careful to sneak past, but while riding it doesn't seem too different from a regular brake run. Sheikra is the best coaster at Busch Gardens. I really didn't expect it to blow Cheetah Hunt out of the water like it did. read more

I used to not like Sheikra that much, as I felt like it was kind of short, but I realized that there are so many cool things about it. The water braking is super nifty as is the first big loop. You also get to skate by the employee parking lot during the last loop back to station, so I always like to give a wave and a thank you if I see anyone. read more

Best ride in Busch Gardens. Hands down. It's exciting and thrilling. You experience two high altitude plummets, one initially, one that goes underground. Epic. Don't leave the park without riding it. read more

One of the best roller coasters at Busch Gardens but it is definitely too short. It would suck waiting an hour to go on this ride.

Ok ride but it is not worth the ride because the first drop is not even that bad so if you are new to rides this would be good

Hey hey hey.... this is my FAVORITE ride at Busch Gardens! There is a long Ascension and 2 steep drops. At the first drop the ride pauses for what seems like mins before quickly dropping riders.. and then on to the remainder of the ride. Very smooth and fast! Ride this one. read more

I rode this ride 6 times in 1 day. 4 times back to back. You must get on the front row of this ride. It's a different feeling on the front row. You get to see what you're about to go through. I love this ride. read more

SheiKra - Amusement Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

SheiKra is definitely the best ride at Busch Gardens. If you enjoy a free fall experience, then you would love this! They will keep you hanging at the top and drop you with no mercy. The front row would be the best to experience the fear. I actually enjoyed the fantastic view of Tampa bay between the initial climb and the first drop. read more