As WavePoolMag gears up for its 2025 guide to wave pool prices (check out 2024’s surf park guide here), we wanted to highlight the ultra-premium, the budget-friendly, and a few notches in between. One clear takeaway? Surf park prices vary widely depending on location, wave quality, and what’s included in the session.
To balance out our own data (check our YouTube channel for breakdowns), we tapped someone who’s lived it: Mike Goldys. Mike has surfed more wave pools than just about anyone — and he’s spent over $15,000 doing it. That number wasn’t the result of a single trip to the Kelly Slater Surf Ranch. It was the accumulated total of 108 surf hours, working out to around $139 per hour in wave pool sessions.
A $1,000 Start at Typhoon Lagoon
Mike’s wave pool journey began at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon in Florida. Surprisingly, the price of admission even back then was comparable to today’s private sessions at modern surf parks.
“For someone who’s working at a restaurant, it was difficult to fathom being able to go to this wave pool,” Mike said in a recent podcast. “I had to save up. Someone had invited me — you split the cost and you get a very limited amount of waves, but just being able to have that experience really kind of set this path forward. You get to have all your buddies in a wave pool. You take turns, cheer each other. It’s a completely different culture than out in the ocean.”
What Goes Into the Price of a Wave Pool Session?
According to Mike, seasoned surf park surfers know the value isn’t just in the wave. Yes, you might get a perfect barrel — but that alone doesn’t always justify a session cost of over $200.
“There’s so many other factors that go into that one experience from the moment you enter,” he said. “Do you have to pay to park? Are the drinks excessively expensive? What’s the quality of the rental gear? Can I do something in between sessions or am I stuck twiddling my thumbs?”
He emphasized that while premium waves are appealing, it’s the surrounding costs — and the overall vibe — that shape the experience.
When Extras Stack Up
Surf park prices often stretch beyond the base session rate. Mike pointed out one session where cold-water gear added significantly to the total cost.
“One time I paid for a thick wetsuit, gloves, boots, hood — for freezing 42-degree water,” he said. “Plus another 20–30 in local currency for a premium board rental.”
In his view, that’s fine — expected, even — as long as the experience matches the investment. But occasionally, it hasn’t.
“What kind of dampens that experience is when you get a little ding in the board — I’m of course going to pay for that — but to be escorted to the front desk after I’m done? I’m going to be there all week. Please don’t make me feel like I’m being sent to the principal’s office.”
Despite this experience there are plenty of wave pools that do it right. For example, the Wave in Bristol has an innovative rental program adored by many.
The High-End: Kelly Slater Surf Ranch
Mike said the most expensive surf park session he’s done was at the Kelly Slater Surf Ranch, where he paid close to $5,000 for a day and a half.
“It was an incredible amount of pressure,” he said. “You’re doing split waves — so you don’t even get the full ride. I remember it vividly: the person I was paired up with didn’t get off the wave. I had to back out — $200 gone, just like that.”
The Budget-Friendly: West Edmonton Mall
At the other end of the wave pool price spectrum, Mike points to West Edmonton Mall in Canada.
“The wave’s tiny, but the vibes are good. If you miss a wave, someone might say, ‘Hey, just take the next one.’ It’s not high stakes. And you know what? It’s $30 Canadian for an hour and a half of waves — so, just over 20 bucks.”
The Happy Medium: The Wave Bristol
But the wave pool landscape is not only extremes. Mike says The Wave Bristol offers a good value for some tasty waves.
“I paid £55 for the intermediate session and £60 for the barrel session back in 2022, so $69-$75 USD. It worked out to $3.60-$6.23 per wave. This was back in 2022.
Beyond the Barrel: What Surf Park Prices Don’t Always Include
Mike also stressed that wave pool pricing should be viewed through a wide lens — not just the per-session fee, but what comes with it:
Can you easily rent quality gear? Are you treated well by the staff? Is there something to do between sessions? Does the park feel like it’s worth coming back to?
“A world-class barrel doesn’t always make it worth $200,” he said. “If I’m investing time, travel, and money, the whole place — not just the wave — should make me feel stoked to be there.”
To hear more about Mike’s global wave pool experiences, check out the podcast below.
