SAEDNEWS: Abu Dhabi swapped sand-only surfing dreams for a world-class surf stage in October 2024. Surf Abu Dhabi — a Kelly Slater–designed lagoon filled with some 80 million liters of Arabian Gulf water — promises perfect, repeatable waves, but at a premium price. Here’s what it’s like to ride the world’s longest artificial swell.
When Surf Abu Dhabi opened in October 2024, it solved a curious problem: a coastline blessed with warm water and year-round sun but lacking consistent surf. The facility delivers what many surfers chase around the globe — long, peeling rides and barrel sections — by engineering a continuous wave that can roll for hundreds of metres. The pool uses seawater pumped from the Arabian Gulf and holds roughly 80 million liters, creating an ocean-like environment without relying on natural swell.
The wave concept is the brainchild of Kelly Slater’s team. Slater — the sport’s most decorated pro — worked with fluid-mechanics expert Adam Fincham (University of Southern California) to tune a machine capable of producing a near-perfect ocean break on demand. The idea is not just spectacle: a controllable, repeatable wave opens training windows for pros, reliable contest conditions for organizers and a predictable playground for enthusiasts who want to polish specific maneuvers.
This is premium surf. Intermediate and advanced sessions in the main pool are limited — only four surfers are allowed in the water at once for those sessions — and a typical walk-up slot costs about AED 3,500 (roughly $950) per person. Each rider is guaranteed a set number of waves — commonly six — though fallen riders can free up extra rides. For privacy and control, many visitors book the entire pool: private 90-minute rentals run about AED 20,000 (close to $5,450), a format that caters to pros, celebrities and affluent tourists.
For elite athletes and coaches, the draw is obvious: repeatable, tunable waves let surfers train specific techniques without hunting for rare ocean conditions. Event organizers and the World Surf League have taken notice, positioning Surf Abu Dhabi as a viable competition venue that guarantees consistent breaks. For many recreational surfers, the attraction is simpler — a reliable, fun ride in a controlled, resort-style environment.
Yet critics raise flags. The energy, water and environmental footprint of massive engineered lagoons attracts scrutiny, and purists argue no machine can replace the soulful unpredictability of the ocean. And because of the cost and restricted capacity, the facility may remain out of reach for many locals and the average tourist.
Visitors should expect high safety standards, coaching, and video review options. Sessions are boutique by design: coaching, curated line-ups and camera feedback are standard. If you can afford it, Surf Abu Dhabi offers minutes of perfectly shaped waves that previously existed only in cinematic surfing fantasies — the “Endless Summer” made momentarily real, if you can pay for the ticket.
