Surf Abu Dhabi is open for business and ready to make waves (literally).
The latest sports attraction to join the long list of awesome things to do in Abu Dhabi just happens to be the most advanced man-made wave park yet. It boasts the world’s longest ride, the largest barrel and the highest man-made wave ever. Not too shabby huh?
So what else do you need to know about Surf Abu Dhabi? From prices to what it’s really like to surf here, we’ve got you covered…
First look at Surf Abu Dhabi
Ahead of the official opening, Time Out Abu Dhabi was given an exclusive look at what you can expect at Surf Abu Dhabi.
Well, pulling up to the main building feels a little bit like arriving at a gorgeous holiday villa, ready for a fantastic time with your closest pals. And that’s also how it feels inside – doing justice to the friendliness of surf culture, everyone makes you feel at home (which massively helps if you’re giving surf a go for the very first time).
The fantastic team at Surf Abu Dhabi is one of its selling points. Experienced surfers from all corners of the world – from Portugal and South Africa to Sri Lanka and Australia – coming together to teach and promote the surfing culture.
Mitch Crews, senior director of surf experience, says: “It’s not just the surf but the hospitality as well. And the team is so talented and passionate. One of our guys was an Olympic coach. We have really qualified water safety coaches that have worked with the best service in the world.”
If you’re a surf newbie, a coach will teach you the basics on dry land before heading off to the wave pool. One of those coaches is Gabriella Lailvaux, a South African surfer who’s part of the team and has been surfing since she was six.
“It’s a lot easier to learn here because you don’t have that aspect of not knowing what the next wave is going to be, you can anticipate exactly when the wave is going to come,” Gabriella says.
“And of course, you don’t have that constant paddling trying to get past the waves. Plus, the wave is perfect every single time. You can really improve within an hour, which is something you might not see in the ocean because it’s always dependent on the conditions.”
That’s exactly what happened when team Time Out Abu Dhabi braved the water. Two complete newbies managed to surf at least a couple of waves after just a one-hour session at Surf Abu Dhabi. Thanks to the coaches’ patience and the consistent waves, it was easier to learn the basics than when you brave the ocean.
The idea here is that you get a surf trip condensed into a session. Instead of flying somewhere where good waves are expected, you get guaranteed waves, followed by a luxurious hospitality experience at one of the beach clubs.
Surf Abu Dhabi prices
Wondering how much it will cost you to catch a wave or two at the capital’s newest attractions? Here’s how much each session costs:
- Learn to surf (Dhs600): 45mins in the water, 12 waves per surfer.
- Open surf for beginners (Dhs1,800): 60mins in the water, between 6-8 waves per surfer.
- Open surf for intermediate (Dhs3,500): 90mins in the water, 20 to 24 full waves per session.
- Open surf for advanced (Dhs3,500): 90mins in the water, 20 to 24 full waves per session.
- 1-on-1 Learn to surf (Dhs2,000): 90 mins (60 mins inside the water), 12 waves per surfer.
- Surf trip (Dhs15,000): 90mins, 6 surfers max. 20 to 24 full waves (4 full waves each for up to 6 surfers). Includes 6 complimentary companion passes for access to the Surf Club and pool.
- Surf trip plus: price on consultation.
- All-day cabana rental (Dhs1,000): up to 6 guests.
- All-day sunbed rental (Dhs200).
Bookings are now open via their website.
Can you visit Surf Abu Dhabi without booking a surf session?
Yes, but only if you’re visiting one of their beach clubs or restaurants. There are two to pick from:
Nalu Surf Club
Meaning wave in Hawaiian, Nalu is the perfect place to chill out pre or post-surfing sesh, but you can also visit without having a surf session booked. The menu is varied, featuring Latin American and Asian-inspired dishes. There’s a cold plunge pool and sunloungers, the prime spot to admire the waves.
Daily, 8am to 1am. Nalu Surf Club, Surf Abu Dhabi, Al Hudayriat Island. @nalu_surfclub (02 419 8509).
Ilios
A bit more upscale than Nalu, Ilios is the place to go if you fancy a trip to Mykonos without the plane hassle. There’s the Euphoria Lounge upstairs, with a balcony boasting views of the wave pool. The dining space is downstairs, with cabanas and the Apollo Bar by the pool. Expect modern Greek-Mediterranean food, Greek mythology-inspired mixed drinks and DJ sets à la Scorpios. Did someone say permanent euro summer?
Daily, 12pm to 1am. Ilios, Surf Abu Dhabi, Al Hudayriat Island. @_iliosbeachclub (02 419 8508).
The story behind Surf Abu Dhabi
Al Hudayriat Island, the home of Surf Abu Dhabi, is becoming the ultimate sports island thanks to its developer, Modon. When it came to adding surfing to the equation, only the best of the best would do, according to Surf Abu Dhabi’s general manager, Ryan Watkins.
“Modon said, if we do surfing, let’s do it the best that we can. And they went out and spoke to a number of wave pool suppliers and without doubt, the best in the world is the one we have here,” says Watkins. He is, of course, referring to Kelly Slater Wave Co.
You’ll probably recognise the name – Kelly Slater is widely regarded as the best professional surfer of all time, having been crowned World Surf League champion an impressive 11 times.
Slater had the idea to create surf ranches with artificial waves back in 2006 and started working on it with Adam Fincham PhD., a professor at the University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering and expert in fluid dynamics (plus a team of scientists and engineers).
Nine years later, Slater surfed the first full-scale wave. Fast-forward another nine years and that technology is now available for wannabe and pro surfers alike, here in Abu Dhabi. “The quality of the wave is next level. It’s unmatched anywhere else in the world and that’s what Modon wanted if we’re going to be the best,” says Watkins.
Back in late 2023, the epic sporting attraction was pictured for the first time, with surfing legend Kelly Slater catching some waves.
Slater joined other champion surfers including Caroline Marks, Filipe Toledo, Stephanie Gilmore, Gabriel Medina and Ramzi Boukhiam to test the facility ahead of its opening.
Speaking about Surf Abu Dhabi, Slater said: “I’ve surfed hundreds of incredible waves across the world and this wave in Abu Dhabi stacks up well against some of the best waves on earth. I’ve drawn on that travelling surf education to design the wave at Surf Abu Dhabi.”
He added: “This will provide endless fun for so many people, creating an opportunity to surf an incredible wave in a special part of the world for both experienced and beginning surfers… this marks a new era in what’s possible in the surf world.”
We can certainly say ‘shell yeah’ to that.
From Dhs600. Hudayriat Island, surfabudhabi.com.
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