Get Out There! 2023 Price Guide for the World’s Wave Pools
Want to surf a wave pool near you? Here’s our 2023 guide to the prices, hours and offerings for the world’s wave pools including spots in Lemoore, Melbourne, Bristol, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Brazil and beyond. Hint: to find a wave pool opening near you soon, check the WavePoolMag Surf Planner.
In this guide, we list hours, prices and features for the world’s surf-able wave pools in 2023, topping it off with insider insights. Listings are grouped by Europe, Africa, Australia, Asia and The Americas. So dig in, plan your session, froth, apply liberal amounts of sunblock and get out there!
The surf-able wave pools are: Alaia Bay, Adventure Parc Snowdonia, The Wave, Siam Waterpark, Sun City, Wadi Adventure, Urbnsurf, Surf Lakes, Sunway Lagoon, Wave Park, Kobi Reyes, Surf Stadium Japan, Fazenda da Grama, Boa Vista, Palm Springs Surf Club, Waco Surf, Typhoon Lagoon, Kelly Slater Surf Ranch, Skudin Surf American Dream, Wai Kai, West Edmonton Mall
EUROPE: Alaia Bay, Adventure Parc Snowdonia, The Wave, Wavegarden HQ, Siam Waterpark
The Lowdown: Tucked away in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Alaïa Bay is the first wave pool of its kind in continental Europe and probably the most spectacular spot for a surf session, whatever your level is. The wave-pool opened in May 2021. The Surf Lagoon is powered by WaveGarden, the same wave-generating modules as The Wave and Urbnsurf, but the pool itself is smaller because they removed the shallow wading area (typically reserved for beginner surf lessons). Instead, beginners get specially dedicated sessions and waves. Alaia boasts that it has all you need onsite to spend a memorable day: from the giant 300m2 Boardriders surf shop and top-notch restaurant overlooking the wave to a surfboard factory that offers guests the chance to shape their own board! #surfthealps
Type of wave(s): Wavegarden Cove
Wave’s Technical Information: Cove Technology – Wave height: 3-6 ft, Left and Right break, Length of
Wave: 30-60 yards/meters.
Hours of operation/Seasonal Hours: 14 hours of operation each day in summer with reduced transition season and winter hours. Call for details
What it costs to surf Alaia Bay: Beginner, Waikiki, Malibu, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert, Pro, and Beast sessions are available. New Waves of the year: “Mega Turn”, accessible for registered “freesurfers”. The very unique Air section is available upon special requests & private sessioins. The Alaia price structure has three tiers: Peak, Normal, and Best depending on when you visit. Peak times are the busiest slots while Normal is your average weekday rate. The prices listed as Best are for the lowest-usage times and could prove to be a good value as things in Switzerland cost more than elsewhere in Europe. Hourly cost: $110 – $160US. Check for bulk-buy discount packs or their Alpine Surf Club membership.
Equipment Hire: A wide selection of boards & wetsuits are available for hire at the Surf School. From premium boards to foamies, Alaia offers a wide range of boards & wetsuits.
Pool Structure: Concrete Pool (Cove)
Waves per hour: Cove about 900 waves per hour
Atmosphere: Outdoorsy French Swiss vibe surrounded by the one and only Swiss Alpine scenery
Something special: Did you know that Alaïa Bay is not only a wave pool? Alaïa also runs a premium skate park, The Alaïa Chalet, an action sports hotel; the Alaïa Lodge and 4 seasons of action sports camps for kids from 8 to 17 years old, the Alaïa Camps. Time it right and you can ski, skate, and surf in one morning.
CLOSED: Adventure Parc Snowdonia – Northern Wales
Editor’s Note: This park closed in September 2023, two months after this article was posted.
The Lowdown: The world’s first commercial surfing wave pool has a sporty adventure vibe with surfing cabins, training facility and resident pro. The oft-overlooked thing about Adventure Parc Snowdonia is that, despite a low waves-per-hour produced by the machine, there are fewer surfers in the water so riders get a good amount of waves. The rides are quite long as well.
Accessibility: Open to the public, Adaptive Surfing (formerly Handicap Accessible), All-ages, Beginning surfer, Intermediate surfer, Advanced surfer, Coaching available, Lessons available, Surf Camps
Type of wave(s): Long, slowish left and right
Wave Generating Technology: Wavegarden Lagoon
Wave’s Technical Information: Wave height: 2-4 ft, Wave height: 4-6 ft, Both Left and Right Breaks, Length of Wave: over 100 yards/meters, Mushy (slow-breaking), Hollow performance-oriented, Adjustable
Hours of operation/Seasonal Hours: Season is from March to December. Prices are listed for Peak and Off-Peak prices. Peak prices apply to bank holidays and school holidays. Off-Peak prices apply at all other times. Equipment rentals include O’Neill wetsuits and Firewire Surfboards.
Weekday and weekends
Beginner – £40 child ($52USD) and £45 Adult ($60USD)
Intermediate 1 – £45 ($60USD)
Intermediate 2 – £45 ($60USD)
Advanced – £50 ($65USD)
Peak – School & Public Holidays
Beginner – £45 child ($60USD) £50 Adult
Intermediate 1 – £50 ($65USD)
Intermediate 2 – £50 ($65USD)
Advanced – £50 ($65USD)
Equipment Hire: O’Neill Wetsuits, Firewire, Mick Fanning and Softech boards
Specials: Adventure Parc Snowdonia has redesigned their surf stay offering to simplify the process to allow visiting surfers to design a bespoke itinerary. The surf park did this so guests can explore the restaurants, spa, adventure activities and wave pool. Replacing the previous packages for 2022, surfers will receive an exclusive 10% discount on the best available rate across the hotel rooms & suites.
Membership: Memberships run for the full year and it’s designed to help surfers spend more time in the lineup for less. Each membership card costs £75 and gives users a 30% discount off intermediate and advanced waves. Adventure Parc Snowdonia said they did this to support and reward their local and loyal surf community throughout the season.
Atmosphere: Quiet and relaxed. Outdoorsy family environment.
Apparel: Wetsuit 4/3, Wetsuit 3/2, Full suit, Spring suit, Gloves, Boots, Hoods
The Lowdown: The Wave in Bristol is the UK’s first Wavegarden Cove – and was also the first to open in the world. The facility is the company’s flagship wave pool, but there are plans for at least a further 6 ‘Waves’ in the UK and Ireland. A site has already been secured in London and the planning process is currently underway for this. Since opening in 2019, The Wave has become a regular break for many of the UK’s surf community, with surfers heading inland from the South West and South Wales, while Londoners drive 2 hours west to score a reliable session.
WavePool Construction Progress: Complete
Type of wave(s): The Wavegarden Cove produces everything from gentle knee-high rollers to head-high slabs via their top-secret machinery.
Wave Generating Technology: Wavegarden Cove Technology
Surf Technical Information: Advanced waves run between 4-to-6 feet while intermediate waves stay in the 2-foot-range. Rides run between 12-15 seconds on each section of the wave pool
Hours of operation/Seasonal Hours: The pool is open as much as daylight allows, with the longest summer days open for surfing from 7am-9pm. The Clubhouse opens an hour before and is open a minimum of an hour after final surf for food and drinks.
What it costs to surf The Wave: Off-peak prices start as low as $40 for children and $53 for adult for a 1-hour advanced surf, which increase to $60 and $73 in peak summer season. 90-minute beginner lessons range in price, but average about $66 for children and $80 for adults. The Wave has 6 levels, Beginner, Waikiki, Intermediate, Advanced, Advanced Plus and Expert. The Expert level comes in either Barrels or Turns. An hour of pure barrels will cost you about $80.
Accommodation: The Camp at The Wave hosts 25 safari tents, making it one of, if not the, closest accommodation to a surf break anywhere in the world. Starting at $146 per night, the tents sleep up to 8 people and are equipped with proper beds, a cooking stove, running water, a log burner and camping toilet. The Camp also has hot showers and a toilet block.
Other facilities: The Clubhouse at The Wave has a café/bar that provides breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks, as well as a lake viewing balcony to enjoy sunset drinks with mates. In the Clubhouse you will also find a great surf shop.
Something special: The Wave has secured funding and planning for a solar PV array and battery storage that will generate more energy than it needs – making it Net Zero Carbon operationally. The site has always been powered by 100% renewable energy from the grid, but to be able to generate its own energy needs will be a dream come true. Construction is underway and sunshine-powered waves are due to be up and running by June 2023.
The Lowdown: The wave has been an Atlantic Ocean secret spot hidden on an island of great natural surf. But it’s a solid destination for European wave pool hunters looking for something exotic in an already exotic location – the Canary Islands. The pool has starred in a few surf videos, most notably a Volcom session with groms and rising UK star Lucy Campbell. But the most comprehensive clip that gives a real feel for the place is a Spanish bro-fest. The guys rented the pool and walk viewers through ten minutes of the Siam Park experience complete with high-fives and hoots.
Accessibility: Reservation Process [email protected] or call 902 06 00 00
Wave Generating Technology: Murphys Wave’s
Technical Information: Fast right and left off a steep wall that backs off before a dumping closeout on the shallows.
Hours of operation/Seasonal Hours: Open all year but surfing by reservation only before pool opens or after it closes to swimmers
What it costs to surf Siam Park: For surfing after regular business hours, must call or email: [email protected] or call 902 06 00 00. Hard to gauge but prices estimated between $52-$880 depending on how many surfers rent out the pool per hour.
Pool Structure: Concrete Pool – Resort
Waves per hour: 60-90
Atmosphere: Family waterpark, but also a raving nightclub for private parties
Apparel: Spring suit, Bikini, Boardshorts
Africa, Middle East, Australia, Asia: Sun City, Wadi Adventure, Urbnsurf, Surf Lakes, Sunway Lagoon, Wave Park, Kobi Reyes
Valley of the Waves – Sun City South Africa
The Lowdown: The famous Sun City resort in South Africa also hosts a chlorinated wave pool in the center of their waterpark. Built for resort goers, they do offer the odd surf session upon request and reservation
Accessibility: Open to the public, All-ages, Beginning surfer, Intermediate surfer, Advanced surfer
Type of wave(s): Combination
Wave Generating Technology: Whitewater/Barr+Wray
Wave’s Technical Information: Wave height: 2-4 ft, Both Left and Right Breaks, Length of Wave: under 30 yards/meters
Hours of operation/Seasonal Hours: Summer: 09h00 – 18h00 Summer (September to April) Gates open at 09h00 and close at 17h00. Water features shut down at 17h30. Winter: 10h00 – 17h00 Winter (May to August) Gates open at 10h00 and close at 16h00. Water features shut down at 16h30. The Valley of Waves closes for a month between May and July for annual maintenance. The Valley of Waves may be closed or close early due to private functions on an ad-hoc basis.
What it costs to surf Valley of the Waves: Call for surfing prices and reservations +27145573444
Price Breakdown for pool admission Sun City Resort residents: Free OFF-PEAK RATES PEAK RATES Adults $8US $11USChildren (Ages 4–12 yrs) $4.75US $5.75USSenior Citizens $4.50US
Wadi Adventure – United Arab Emirates
The Lowdown: The wave made famous in Dion Agius’ “Electric Blue Heaven” clip is accessible and surf-able now. It’s a steep right or left off a wall that weakens a bit as it spreads out to centre pool.
Accessibility: Reservation Process
Wave Generating Technology: Displaced water a la Typhoon Lagoon and Siam Park by Whitewater/Barr+Wray.
Hours of operation/Seasonal Hours: By reservation
What it costs to surf Wadi Adventure: Prices: $18 park entry then $48 for each one-hour surf session. Six surfers maximum per session. Each surfer gets about six waves in the 60 minute session that is split with half rights and half lefts.
Private Parties V.I.P. session – the wave pool is open only for you and your friends $460 . Private session – private rental of the pool including personalised wave settings $400. Semi Private session – private access to the advanced wave but not the near shore beginner waves $275.
Pool Structure: Concrete Pool – Resort
Waves per hour: Unknown
Atmosphere: Family waterpark, but also raving nightclub for private parties
Apparel: Spring suit, Bikini, Boardshorts
Urbnsurf – Melbourne Australia
The Lowdown: The first public wave pool in Australia located 20 minutes outside of downtown Melbourne adjacent to the Melbourne Airport opened in January 2020 and has since set the benchmark for surf park operations. You will find surf club competitions, concerts, corporate events and heaps more here as Urbnsurf redefines the wave pool business model. But for us just wanting to go for a session, see below…
Accessibility: Open to the public, all-ages
Type of wave(s): Everything from a killer ‘slab’ setting to gentle beginner rollers to their super popular cruiser sessions.
Wave Generating Technology: Wavegarden Cove
Wave’s Technical Information: Wave height: 2-7 ft, Both left and right breaks, length of rides: beginner 8-10 seconds, intermediate/advanced 12-16 seconds
Hours of operation/Seasonal Hours At this time it’s seven days a week with the first surf slot kicking off at 6am and the last session logging in at 9pm. Note: Not all wave settings are available at all hours. Check schedule.
Waves per hour: 900-1000 waves per hour. Surfers can plan on 10-12 waves per fully booked session.
Pool Structure: Concrete Pool with surrounding amenities including Three Ducks restaurant, bar and shop
What it costs to surf at Urbnsurf: Prices start at $89AUS for intermediates and go up to $144AUS for expert sessions. Urbnsurf has an advanced pricing system, offering memberships and punch cards for heavy users which helps bring the price-per-surf-session down. See the extensive list below:
Sessions
Cruiser / Cruiser Turns $89
Intermediate $89
Advanced / Turns $99
Expert $144
Multipacks
10 x Cruiser / Intermediate Sessions $801
10 x Advanced Sessions $891
10 x Expert Sessions $1296
20 x Cruiser/Intermediate $1588
20 x Advanced Sessions $1733
50 x Cruiser Sessioins $3783
50 x Advanced Sessions $4208
Surf Lakes – Yeppoon Australia
The Lowdown: Demo center for new Surf Lakes technology that uses a round hub to push out waves from the center of a lake. The waves fanning out break on a series of reefs and points. One of the largest and most ambitious wave pool projects to date
Accessibility: Private for now but soon to be public. Surf Lakes expects to open to the public pending local permitting – could be late 2024. We listed it because they occasionally showcase the technology to vloggers, media and investors*
Type of wave(s): Central hub wave making tower
Wave’s Technical Information: Wave height: 2-8 ft, Lefts and rights along a series of reefs, points, ledges at possibly 2400 waves per hour. Inventors of the ‘5 Waves’ concept, which produces 5 different breaks at one location
*Price Breakdown: You can buy one the standard size for $20million or the XL size (like Yeppoon) for $30million. Or wait for the local council to approve all the permits – stay tuned!
Pool Structure: Manmade Lake with chlorinated water
Waves per hour: 2400
Atmosphere: With Ben Player and Occy as ambassadors the finished project is more high-performance sport-focused than party-focused.
Apparel: Boardshorts or short wetsuits – it’s warm on the Capricorn Coast
Sunway Lagoon – Selangor Malaysia
The Lowdown: Swimmer-focused wave pool that has limited surfing hours, like many other waterpark attractions. It’s best known for Taj Burrow’s clip in “Fair Bits” when the crew added a jet ski to help gain enough speed to launch airs.
Accessibility: Reservation Process [email protected] or call 902 06 00 00
Wave’s Technical Information: Fast right and left off a steep wall that backs off before a dumping closeout on the shallows
Hours of operation/Seasonal Hours: Wave pool is open to surfing from 6pm-7pm weekends and holidays and by reservation only.
Price Breakdown: For surfing after regular business hours, must call or email: [email protected] or call 902 06 00 00. Prices estimated between $52.00-$880.00 – Kids under 6 free, special pricing kids 6-11, but not sure if that applies to surfing.
Email for more details: [email protected]
Pool Structure: Concrete Pool – Resort
Apparel: Boardies and bikinis
Wave Park – Siheung-si South Korea
The Lowdown: This is Asia’s largest Wavegarden Cove project to date with 56 modules (The Wave Bristol has 40 by comparison) and is part of a multi-billion dollar resort development an hour outside of Seoul. The wave pool is run under the name Wave Park and opened on October 8, 2020
WavePool Construction Progress: Completed
Type of wave(s): The Cove produces everything from gentle knee-high rollers to head-high slabs via their top-secret machinery.
Wave Generating Technology: Wavegarden Cove Technology
Wave’s Technical Information: Wave height: 2-7 ft, Both left and right breaks, length of wave: 60-100 yards/meters depending on the size of the Cove pool
Hours of operation/Seasonal Hours: Mon-Sun 10:00 – 17:00
What it costs to surf at Wave Park:
Surf Sessions
Bay Whitewater $53USD
Beginner/Intermediate $65USD
Advanced $65USD
Surf Lessons
Bay Whitewater $82USD
Reef level up $90USD
Admission
Adult $33USD
Child $26USD
Rentals
Wetsuit $8USD
Softboard $13USD
Hardboard $33USD
Waves per hour: 400-600 waves per hour
Surf Stadium Japan – Shizunami Japan
The Lowdown: Shizunami is a thriving surf town about four hours by car southeast of Tokyo. The bullet train from Tokyo central takes a little over two hours to nearby Shizuoka station. Surf Stadium Japan is also one of the world’s first surf parks close to an existing natural surfing location. The wave tub itself sits on a 2.4-acre site a stone’s throw from the Pacific ocean. AMW says that Shizunami will demonstrate how high-performance surf can be achieved in urban, surf-centric, relatively smaller footprint locations, referred to by the company as “surf arenas.”
WavePool Construction Progress: Completed
Accessibility: Open to the public, All-ages, Beginning surfers, Intermediate surfers, Advanced surfers
Wave Generating Technology: American Wave Machines Perfect Swell with some new improvements and enhancements
Wave’s Technical Information: Both Left and Right Breaks, Length of Wave: 30-60 yards/meters, Semi-hollow to hollow and performance-oriented. 110 waves per hour come in three-wave sets at between 1:10-1:30 apart. Waves are waist to head-high.
Hours of operation/Seasonal Hours: Dec–Feb: 10am-5pm, Mar-May: 9am-6pm, June-Sep: 8am-8pm, Dec- Oct-Nov: 9am-6pm.
What it costs to surf at Stadium Japan:
Trial Session: 8800 yen ($70) – includes surfboard, wetsuit, safety equipment, and instructor.
Beginner Session: 7700 yen ($60)
Intermediate Session: 8800 yen ($70)
Advanced Session: 8800 yen ($70)
Expert Session: 9900 yen ($80)
Private Session: Prices vary depending on the season, but start from 156,000 yen ($1320) per hour, and customized waves will be provided according to the customer’s preferences.
Note: Membership registration is required to purchase tickets. If there is a vacancy on the day of the session, e-tickets will be sold to those who come directly to the facility. Surf Stadium advises to check the availability up to 23:59 the day before you want to go surfing.
Pool Structure: Concrete pool facility with sand added
Waves per hour: 110
Atmosphere: Beach party Japan style
Apparel: Mostly boardshorts and bikinis. 3/2 fulls and spring suits for fall/winter
The Lowdown: Twenty minutes by car from Kobe Japan is Kobe-Reyes, a Big Surf Arizona type wave that is rarely pushed above waist-high. It’s currently the only surf-specific wave pool in Japan and does a booming business despite the lack of solid surf
WavePool Construction Progress: Completed. Open to public
Type of wave(s): Small, soft peak that splits left and right
Wave Generating Technology: Murphys wave-style flush system
Wave’s Technical Information: 2-3 ft, Lefts and rights in a reservoir lake suitable for beginners and longboarders or those small wave A-Listers
Structure: Manmade Lake with chlorinated water
Price Breakdown: $92US for 100 minutes of shared pool time
Waves per hour: Unknown
Apparel: Trunks and bikinis in summer when the pool hours are expanded. Wetsuits in limited hours of transition season. The company recommends wearing reef shoes.
The Americas: Fazenda da Grama, Palm Springs Surf Club, BSR Surf Resort, Typhoon Lagoon, Kelly Slater Surf Ranch, Skudin Surf American Dream, West Edmonton Mall
Fazenda da Grama – Sao Paulo Brazil
The Lowdown: While not public-facing like current Coves in Switzerland, Australia, England and South Korea, the Fazenda da Grama project hopes to attract Brazil’s rich and famous with golfing, horses, spa facilities, restaurants, event space and the usual surf park fare. This Cove facility is the centerpiece of a condo development focused on active living and sports leisure. The pool spit out its first waves in June 2021 and is now the darling to Brazil’s wealthy surf set.
Accessibility: Private residences and club memberships.
Type of wave(s): The cove produces everything from gentle knee-high rollers to head-high slabs via their top-secret machinery.
Wave Generating Technology: Wavegarden Cove Technology
Wave’s Technical Information: Wave height: 2-7 ft, Both left and right breaks, length of wave: 30-100 yards/meters depending on the size of the Cove pool
Hours of operation/Seasonal Hours: Unavailable, but we’ll keep you posted
What it costs to surf Praia da Grama: Guests of residents and those with memberships will be able to surf the pool. So, surfers must either purchase property or have a membership to access the development’s central wave pool. It runs on the same model as an exclusive golf club membership. Or you can buy a 500 square meter villa for $11,500,00Real ($2.4millionUS.)
Waves per hour: 11-900 waves per hour
Boa Vista Village – Sao Paulo Brazil
The Lowdown: This Sao Paulo development follows a trend in anchoring new projects around wave pools. Maybe slightly varying from the norm, the Boa Vista plans show a Surf Lodge (actually a multi-story, swank-looking hotel) for visitors making freshwater surf trips. The interesting component here is the huge PerfectSwell technology from American Wave Machines. It looks to be twice the size of the AWM facility in Waco with 20-25 second rides. Boa Vista will offer surf to residents and visitors.
WavePool Construction Progress: Built and in operation.
Accessibility: Mixed use private and possibly public.
Wave Generating Technology: New American Wave Machines Perfect Swell design.
Wave’s Technical Information: Both Left and Right Breaks, Length of Wave: possibly 120year-round yards/meters, Semi-hollow to hollow and performance-oriented. 120 -160 waves per hour come in three-wave sets at between 1:10-1:30 apart. Waves are waist to head-high.
Hours of operation/Seasonal Hours: Expect year round surf.
Pool Structure: Concrete pool facility with sand added set in center of hotel and residences.
Waves per hour: 120-160.
Atmosphere: Lux Brazilian golf vibes.
Apparel: Mostly boardshorts and bikinis. 3/2 fulls and spring suits for fall/winter.
Cost: As it’s a private development, you can buy a luxury dwelling for between $1million-$4million US or become a member at the soon-to-be-open sister site, the Boa Vista Surf Club which doesn’t require land purchase to access the waves.
YouTube clip for Boa Vista
Palm Springs Surf Club – Palm Springs California
The Lowdown: Top secret and under wraps wave pool by Cheyne Magnusson did the big reveal that it will be powered by Tom Lochtefeld’s SurfLoch tech. According to Surf Loch, their systems can create a maximum of one swell every eight seconds or 450 swells per hour. Those 450 swells break over different surfing zones creating thousands of rides per hour. Frequency can be adjusted downward as needed for attendance or other operational purposes.
WavePool Construction Progress: Completed and tested demo pool which was razed to make way for a bigger pool. The full pool is still under construction but should be open sometime 2023.
Accessibility: Public wave pool like Urbnsurf or The Wave.
Type of wave(s): Knowing Cheyne’s penchant for ramps and wedges, expect some big fun.
Wave Generating Technology: SurfLoch wave systems.
Wave’s Technical Information: The test pool was powered by 8 caissons and a tad smaller than the BSR Surf Ranch and used the existing outline of the previous Riptide Reef pool at Wet’n’Wild which. The number of caissons for the new pool is unknown but the outline of the wave tank will go deeper and wider to accommodate more powerful swells and more users.
Hours of operation/Seasonal Hours: With the Palm Springs climate, year-round surfing is anticipated.
What it costs to surf at the Palm Springs Surf Club: Don’t know yet as they haven’t officially opened. Seeing as the surrounding wave tanks, Thermal Beach Club and DSRT are priced as luxury experiences, it will be interesting to see if PSSC targets the proletariat surfer. In the meantime we’ll keep bugging the crew to get the lowdown for when they open this summer – stay tuned!
Waves per hour: 450 swells breaking across different zones.
The Lowdown: The USA’s second public pool and the first commercial American Wave Machines PerfectSwell facility. Owners say the wave tank is very popular and resembles a more natural surf break than many other technologies.
Accessibility: Open to the public, All-ages, Beginner surfer, Intermediate surfer, Advanced surfer, and now they’ve added Pro surfer options. Reservations for surf sessions and digital waivers are required, as well as showing up an hour before your session.
Wave Generating Technology: American Wave Machines PerfectSwell
Wave’s Technical Information: Both Left and Right Breaks, Length of Wave: 30-60 yards/meters, Semi-hollow to hollow and performance-oriented. 80-90 seconds between sets on standard wave settings, and 90-120 seconds between sets on specialty wave settings.
Hours of operation/Seasonal Hours: During off-peak times the surf park usually runs 8am-6pm. During peak season they run waves most days 6am-11pm.
What it costs to surf Waco:
The Coaster: Beginner Session $89-129+tax for one hour, 30 mins of left and 30 mins of right. Includes soft top/foam surfboard rental for the session. Add Beginner Academy out of water 1 hour lesson prior to surf session for $49-59+tax.
The Runner: Intermediate session $109-149+tax for one hour, 30 mins of left and 30 mins of right.
The Peak: Advanced session $119-159+tax for one hour, 30 mins of left and 30 mins of right.
The Point, The Ramp and The Wedge: Pro Sessions $299-$369+tax for the 90 minute session, starting with Advanced and moving into the barrel and air section waves previously only offered to private surf guests. Each 90-minute session is left OR right.
Private sessions start at $1,750+tax/hour in the off season and can be booked up to 8 hours consecutively.
They also offer all-day beach club passes to hang out and watch the action at $19+tax.
Hard/Performance surfboard rentals are $35+tax for the first hour and $10+tax/additional hour.
Optional $35+tax insurance fee which covers all damage done to the board.
Foam/Soft top surfboard rentals are $25+tax for the first hour and $10+tax/additional hour.
Pool Structure: Concrete lagoon facility with sand added on beach area.
Waves per hour: 120-160 (depending on setting)
Atmosphere: Laid-back surf resort vibe with tacos and beers.
Apparel: Mostly boardshorts and bikinis. 3/2 fulls and spring suits for fall. 4/3 and accessories for winter.
Other questions: Email the team at [email protected]
Typhoon Lagoon – Orlando Florida
The Lowdown: The pool generates roughly one 3-5-foot-wave every 90 seconds, a burgery right and left off the deep end that rushes into a closeout on the inside bar. Typhoon Lagoon offers Surf School lessons and the water park can be rented out for private surfing before and after swimming hours
Wave Generating Technology: The equipment and contract was done by WhiteWater Industries Ltd & Barr+Wray.
Wave’s Technical Information: Wave height: 3-4 ft, Both Left and Right Breaks, Length of Wave: roughly 30 yards/meters. According to Whitewater West, “Typhoon Lagoon is a Hydraulic system whereby water is pumped in to a series of silos and when the gates are released water plunges into the deep end of the pool generating a wave or varying heights. Typhoon Lagoon generally fill the silos half full generating a wave of 4-5 feet high. When the silos are fully filled an eight foot wave is created.”
Hours of operation/Seasonal Hours: Year round including some holidays
What it costs to surf Typhoon Lagoon: $199 for surf lesson packs including equipment and instruction. Park admission is $65 for 1-day pass. There are surf sessions before the park opens and after it closes. Space is extremely limited but you can make surfing reservations online at this link. The renter gets to choose the wave settings. Each 3-hour session comes with 100, 125 or 150 waves – broken into sets.
For 100 Waves: Weekday mornings pricing is $1,150.00, Weekday evenings are $1,250 Morning and Weekend evenings are $1,450.
For 125 Waves: (mornings not available) Weekday evenings are $1,550 with Weekend evenings $1,800
For 150 Waves: (mornings not available) Weekday evenings are $1,850 with Weekend evenings $2,150
Atmosphere: Family environment
Apparel: Spring suit, Bikini, Boardshorts
The Surf Ranch – Lemoore California
The Lowdown: The world’s best surfer on the world’s best human-made wave captivated anyone who has ever surfed. Now owned by the WSL the perfection of the Surf Ranch is reserved for training, video clips, WSL contests and a few friends of the King. Private parties can rent out the ranch for the day at between $50K and $70K.
What it costs to surf the Kelly Slater Surf Ranch: It’s accessible via private, pros only or with paid ‘spectator’ admission through WSL VIP experiences – although this might’ve changed since the WSL cancelled the Surf Ranch Pro. The wave tank prefers to operate mysteriously, but in reality you can call up and rent the whole place, assuming you have the right number. High-season daily rental is around $70,000 while low-season costs are $50,000. Daily per person rate (at 10 surfers) is $5K to $7K. Hourly cost per person works out to $875 High Season $625 Low Season. For 12 waves it works out to $425-to-$575 per wave, or $9.50-to-$12.75 per second. Easy.
Type of wave(s): Lefts and Rights, hollow with no interrupting sections
Wave Generating Technology: Kelly Slater Wave Co. Systems
Wave’s Technical Information: Wave height: 2-6 ft, Both Left and Right Breaks, Length of Wave: over 100 yards/meters, Hollow performance-oriented
Hours of operation/Seasonal Hours: Private by appointment only but you have to know who to contact – which appears to be one of surfing’s great mysteries.
Pool Structure: Manmade lake, formerly a waterskiing park
Waves per hour: 12-25 waves per hour
Apparel: Fullsuit, Bikini, Boardshorts
Skudin Surf American Dream – East Rutherford New Jersey
The Lowdown: This pool is located in the American Dream mega-mall in New Jersey just 15 minutes outside of NYC. The surf component here is American Wave Machines PerfectSwell technology, which is similar to Waco Surf. The square shape of this indoor wave pool provides a shape to create a-frame waves, which is unique from the other American Wave Machines designs. This hidden-gem of the metropolitan area is run by New York surf legends Will & Cliff Skudin.
Accessibility: Fully open to the public for all-ages and skill levels with both public sessions and private sessions available.
Wave Generating Technology: American Wave Machines PerfectSwell technology.
Wave’s Technical Information: The technology makes for split peaks, rights, and lefts. The wave types range from soft and small for beginners, to bigger and more powerful settings that host barrels and air sections for advanced and expert surfers. Private session guests get to choose from a diverse wave menu with names that sound like theme park rides: The Gotham, Wall Street, Sinatra, and The Vortex. The wave riding output on the split-peaks in an hour of surfing can reach up to 360 rides, which averages out to about 50+ rides per each surfer in the 2-hour public sessions. SkudinSurfAD says “Most people leave our facility totally surfed-out.”
Hours of Operation: SkudinSurf American Dream operates between the hours of 7-11AM and 7PM-Midnight on the off-hours of Dreamworks water park where the wavepool is located.
What it costs to surf at SkudinSurf American Dream: They offer both public and private surf sessions in their indoor concrete pool, which operates year-round at around 85 degrees air and water temperatures. Here are the prices for each type of session:
Public Sessions:
Beginners- $99-$125 (2-hour session)
Intermediate, Advanced, & A-Frames Only- $195-$250 (2-hour session)
Experts- $250 (2-hour session)
Private Dream Sessions:
$1600 for 1 hour (up to 10 surfers)
$3200 for 2 hours (up to 24 surfers)
Private sessions are ideal for parties, larger groups, events, or for those who want their own personal session. Each private session includes a cabana setup with snacks and drinks overlooking the pool, a customizable selection of waves, and a customizable music playlist.
SkudinSurf American Dream also offers coaching, media, and additional instructor packages.
Added Notes: As part of every session ticket, guests will have access to a complementary surfboard quiver which features over 50 different boards to choose from.
Attire: The heated indoor facility allows for boardies and bikinis as attire in the water. Spectators are encouraged to wear light clothing as the park does get fairly hot during daytime hours.
Something Special: Owners proudly informed WavePoolMag, “We are the only indoor high-performance surf park in the world, with heated temps year round!”
The Lowdown: Hawaii’s first citywave features a 100-foot-wide wave for all level of surfers.
Accessibility: Open to the public, All-ages, Beginner surfer, Intermediate surfer, Advanced surfer Reservations for surf sessions and digital waivers are required, as well as showing up an hour before your session.
Wave Generating Technology: citywave
Wave’s Technical Information: Rapid wave (or deep water standing wave) with variable settings of height, air sections and intensity surfed either as a 100-foot-wide wave or broken up into two sections (30ft / 65ft)
Hours of operation/Seasonal Hours: The surf park is currently open 9:45am-9pm (Sat-Sun) / Noon-9pm (Mon-Fri). Check website for updated schedules.
What it costs to surf at Wai Kai at the moment:
100-foot wave: $175 ($99 Kama’aina and multipack discounts $84/session).
65-foot wave: $140 ($75 Kama’aina and multipack discounts to $56/session)
30-foot wave: $90 ($60 Kama’aina and multipack discounts to $36/session)
Surfside Cabanas: $275 ($200 Kama’aina) 1/2 day
Play-Your-Way at the 52-acre Wai Kai Lagoon (1hr): Adult: $40 (Kama’aina $34), Junior (6-13 years old): $20 ($17 Kama’aina)
Pool Structure: citywave surrounded by lagoon facility
Waves per hour: One never-ending wave
Atmosphere: Hawaii vibes and history
Apparel: Mostly boardshorts and bikinis
Other questions: Email the team at [email protected] or call (808) 515-SURF (7873)
West Edmonton Surf Club – Edmonton Canada
The Lowdown: Surf Nights at the West Edmonton Mall allows newbies and advanced surfers a chance to session this indoor chlorinated wonder. All sessions are coordinated through the West Edmonton Surf Club
Wave Technology: 1980s water drop system agitates swell into the shallows at 4-5 seconds apart.
Wave Size: 1-3ft and peaky, choppy. Waves come in sets about once a minute.
What it costs to surf Edmonton: Booked as “lessons” each 90-minute session costs $79. Lessons are usually offered once a week and capped at 10 people. After the lesson/orientation, anyone is welcome to come out to the surf club who typically get 2-4 sessions a week offered, usually at night. During the day, the wave pool is open to the general public. We get our chance to surf once the park closes.
Local Knowledge: Surf Club member Daniel Macyk says: “Depending on the day and time, it seems a typical session consists of 10-30 people. On quiet nights you can catch up to 50 plus waves. On busy nights it’s more in the 20-25 range.”
Vibe: Since it’s an indoor pool, the water is usually 25-28 (78-85F) degrees depending on how much sun shines through the large glass dome. Air temperature is typically set to 31C (90F) which makes it a nice relief from a snowy Canadian parking lot.
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