As the birthplace of surfing on the East Coast, Virginia Beach has long been a popular place to ride the waves, with the annual East Coast Surfing Championships (ECSC) held here for more than 60 years. But it dates back much further, to 1912, when a local teenager decided to take to the waves on a board his uncle brought back from Hawaii.
Along with its rich surfing history, there’s a thriving community of surfers, and plenty of surf schools and surf shops. Despite that, as local surfers know, the waves in Virginia Beach have always been inconsistent.
Consistent Waves All Year Round
Now, there’s a game changer providing an alternative, allowing surfers to ride when Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate. On August 16, 2025, Atlantic Park Surf, the very first surf lagoon in North America, opened in Virginia Beach. Powered by Wavegarden wave-generation technology, it can generate a thousand waves an hour (and over 20 different wave types).
Local surfer Blayr Barton told SURFING magazine, “This wavepool is the most surreal thing ever. As a local, it is pretty insane that I can drive 15 minutes from home to go surf perfect waves. Not to mention how flat it is here almost year-round, so this just opened up so many opportunities to kids and upcoming surfers to really put the time in to surf and practice.”
The wave pool is only two blocks from the city’s three-mile-long stretch of powdery sands as the centerpiece of the new Atlantic Park. A $350 million development, surfers now have a great training ground with waves suitable for everyone from beginners to experienced surfers, regardless of ocean conditions. If you’ve never tried surfing or want to improve your skills, surf lessons from professional instructors are available too.
An Entertainment District With Accommodation Soon to Come
But it’s not just about surfing here. Atlantic Park will soon have a complete entertainment district with shopping, dining, and accommodation in a luxury boutique-style surf lodge, debuting this fall. Plus, those who don’t surf can buy a beach pass to watch the action from beach areas with cabana rentals and lagoon-side daybeds. If you want to enjoy a dip, the lagoon is only available for surfing or bodyboarding, but you will have access to a wading pool.
Virginia Beach has plenty of other attractions, shops, and restaurants serving fresh seafood to enjoy off-site as well. The oceanfront boardwalk with street performers and vendors is one of the most popular places to be, while the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Sciences Center showcases sea turtles, rays, sharks, and more.
