On August 16, 2025, Atlantic Park Surf, the first Wavegarden Cove Facility in North America, opened at the oceanfront. The $350 million wave pool is capable of producing over 1,000 waves per hour and catering to all skill levels.
“My friends and I have always wanted to surf Typhoon Lagoon [at] Disney but could never coordinate our schedules,” said Principal Carey Manugo. “Now we can surf together at the Wavepark.”
Atlantic Park Surf boasts both surf sessions and lessons. Beginner group lessons start at $125, and “beach passes” are $25.
“As much as I absolutely LOVE the park, $[125] for small waves is not worth it by my standards at all,” said senior Emily Custer.
While the cost is high, there are many benefits the park offers that people living in Virginia Beach cannot get anywhere else. The prices vary by level of difficulty and whether or not a coach is involved.
“It offers perfect, strong waves and barrels every single time. Like clockwork,” said Custer. “That’s never going to happen on the ocean.”
The facility is one of a kind and caters to all surfers, including professionals looking for powerful waves.
“As a lifelong surfer, I wondered if man-made waves could replace the real thing. I figured I’d come out of the pool with the same incredible feeling I got from the ocean,” said former Salem teacher and Director of Surf Coaching at Atlantic Park Jason Borte. “Anyone who has surfed it will tell you, the stoke is real.”
Atlantic Park is just the beginning of Wavegarden’s reign in North America. They have many parks in development around the world, including one in Southern California set to open in early summer 2026.
“Virginia Beach has always had a vibrant surf culture. The only thing missing was waves. Now we got em,” said Borte.
For more information, please visit https://atlanticparksurf.com/.
