Hydrus

Hydrus is a steel roller coaster at Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. It features a 72-foot chain lift hill followed by a nearly vertical drop, incorporating a vertical loop, cutback, and heartline roll along its 1,050-foot track.

The coaster was built in 2017 to replace the Star Jet, which was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. It marks the reconstruction phase of the pier following that devastating storm.

The name comes from mythology and refers to a water serpent. Visitors see the modern steel structure rise prominently above the beach, becoming a defining visual element of the pier.

Two trains with eight seats each carry visitors at speeds up to 45 miles per hour using lap bars for safety. The ride is relatively brief but feels intense due to its numerous inversions and tight maneuvers.

The coaster uses a German manufacturer's model that was the first of its kind worldwide and remains rare in the US. Its construction over the beach rather than water shows a deliberate adaptation to coastal storm risk.