Creating the Middle East’s first artificial surf destination in Abu Dhabi

Creating a surf destination of this scale meant balancing technical precision, design, performance and visitor experience. The project needed to integrate advanced technology with the island’s landscape and urban context, achieving aesthetic appeal and operational efficiency.  

The development and design had to align with the following core principles:

• Basin orientation — aligning the wave basin with the master plan while providing views of the city skyline 

• Connectivity — designing access routes that enhance visitor experience and link with nearby leisure amenities and local cycle paths (e.g. Hudayriyat cycle track) 

• Adjacencies — connecting the public-facing beach club to adjacent residential developments while maintaining a physical buffer from more disruptive elements, such as the events area  

• We also had to address geotechnical and climatic conditions unique to Abu Dhabi, manage island-wide infrastructure coordination and meet environmental requirements for coastal developments.

Working under tight schedules, we collaborated with Modon, WaveCo’s US-based team and local contractors to complete Surf Abu Dhabi within 24 months. Our construction project approach emphasised extensive coordination and adaptability, overcoming global supply-chain constraints and delivering to Modon’s quality standards, WaveCo’s surfing requirements and strict local environmental standards.  

Our work included:

• Designing marine intake and outfall structures to connect pipelines and pump stations and support water circulation 

• Developing desalination and filtration systems — a reverse osmosis plant treated seawater, while a filtration system maintained ongoing water quality in the wave basin 

• Leading design, geotechnical and structural engineering of the wave-basin 

• Delivering full architectural and interior design; mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems (MEP); structural design; and fire and life safety designs for the surf club’s VIP club and the beach club 

• Designing the landscape and public realm 

• Designing and securing approval for access and transport systems 

• Securing all necessary planning, environmental and building approvals, including site-specific surveys and marine-impact modelling 

Challenges related to salinity, heat and sand ingress were addressed through sealed mechanical enclosures, corrosion-resistant materials and climate-responsive design that met Abu Dhabi’s environmental and planning requirements.

The project’s engineering achievement lay in the precise coordination of WaveCo’s hydrofoil system within a custom-built wave pool, supported by an overhead rail mechanism and precision-controlled bathymetry. The architecture balanced spectator experience with thermal comfort and operational flow, creating a distinctive venue that realises Abu Dhabi’s vision for recreation, tourism and design innovation.  

Surf Abu Dhabi opens new possibilities for water sports in the region. It offers residents and visitors a place to experience surfing, learn the sport safely and host international competitions. With consistent, high-quality waves and well-engineered facilities, it supports leisure activities and professional development in surfing. 

“This is a complex project both in terms of design and construction supervision. Our partnership with GHD has resulted in a significant contribution to Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s surfing community. The development of the high-performance surfing environment underscores the capital’s tourism credentials and reinforces our commitment to designing world-class leisure and sports destinations.” 

— Modon Properties