Pharrell Williams picked the perfect moment to drop one announcement that sent the mid-Atlantic into overdrive

Virginia Beach has been waiting years for this moment.

The anticipation has been building since the first announcement back in 2018.

And Pharrell Williams picked the perfect moment to drop one announcement that sent the mid-Atlantic into overdrive.

The moment Virginia Beach and Mid-Atlantic surfers have been waiting for

Atlantic Park Surf officially announced that its highly anticipated surf lagoon will open to the public on August 16, 2025.¹

The timing couldn’t be better – right in the heart of summer tourism season when Virginia Beach is packed with visitors looking for the next big thrill.

Virginia Beach native and music superstar Pharrell Williams has lent his name and local presence to the project for nearly seven years, turning the former site of the iconic Dome into something that officials believe could revolutionize East Coast surfing and entertainment.

Bookings are now live on the Atlantic Park Surf website, and the response has been immediate.

"Catching a wave in a surf park I have been dreaming about for 25 years was surreal – a dream come true," said Joe LaMontagne, a local surfer and co-creator of the Atlantic Park Surf Club.²

America’s first urban surf lagoon becomes reality

This groundbreaking facility will become the first Wavegarden Cove installation in North America and represents the East Coast’s most ambitious surf park venture.³

The massive 2.67-acre facility harnesses advanced Spanish wave-making technology capable of producing an incredible 1,000 surfable waves every hour across more than 20 distinct wave patterns.⁴

Beginners can practice on gentle one-foot rollers while expert surfers can challenge themselves on powerful seven-foot barrels – creating opportunities for everyone from nervous first-timers to seasoned professionals.

https://x.com/BagwellAerials/status/1954622374353236449“>https://x.com/BagwellAerials/status/1954622374353236449

"Virginia Beach is the perfect location to open our first Wavegarden Cove," said Fernando Odriozola, Wavegarden’s Chief Commercial Officer. "With a strong surf community and high visitation, the only thing missing was consistent waves. With Atlantic Park Surf, that’s now covered."⁵

Surfers will enjoy nearly hour-long sessions where they can expect to ride about a dozen waves, with group sizes varying from 20 to 40 participants based on the specific wave configuration being used.⁶

Year-round operation means Virginia Beach just transformed into a consistent surfing destination regardless of what the Atlantic Ocean decides to do.

The annoying business case that caught everyone’s attention

Atlantic Park could become an entirely new economic engine for Virginia Beach.

But it still represents government putting taxpayer money to work to benefit a few private pockets.

This massive $350 million project stands as Virginia Beach’s most significant public-private collaboration, with the city contributing more than one-third of the total investment.⁷

The development includes The Dome entertainment venue (which opened in May), 300 apartments, 106,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, 10,000 square feet of office space, and two parking garages.⁸

Local business owners are hopeful for a positive economic impact.

"I hope we get some business for the wintertime," said Manny, who owns Waffles & Company adjacent to the construction site.⁹

It’s hoped the project will transform Virginia Beach from a seasonal destination into a year-round attraction that can compete with any major tourist destination in the country.

Virginia Beach City Councilmember Worth Remick captured the excitement perfectly: "It’s going to be what I call the Atlantic Park wave experience. The public will be able to watch folks surfing – all kinds, shapes and sizes, and different levels, just to watch, much less participate as a surfer."¹⁰

What this means for American tourism

The surf lagoon puts Virginia Beach on the map as a legitimate surfing destination that doesn’t depend on Mother Nature’s cooperation.

Session pricing starts at $91 and goes up to $161 depending on the wave type and time of year, positioning this as a premium experience that will draw visitors from across the country.¹¹

Spectators can grab day passes for just $25 to watch the action while relaxing in the beach club setting complete with lounge chairs and cabanas.¹²

The city is so confident in the project’s success that it’s hosting an international surf park summit in November, positioning Virginia Beach as a case study for how surf parks can anchor mixed-use developments.¹³

As for Williams,it’s unclear either how much money he put into the project or what he stands to make from it. 

But one thing is clear, as perhaps Virginia Beach’s most famous son, city leaders have been more than willing to cut him breaks to keep his name attached to publicly-funded projects in the city.¹⁴

¹ WTVR CBS 6, "Inside Virginia Beach’s new surf lagoon: What you need to know," August 12, 2025.

² WAVY News 10, "Opening date for Virginia Beach’s Atlantic Park Surf Lagoon announced," August 11, 2025.

³ The Virginian-Pilot, "Virginia Beach’s Atlantic Park to open Aug. 16," August 11, 2025.

⁴ Virginia Business, "Atlantic Park Surf to open Saturday," August 11, 2025.

⁵ WAVY News 10, "Opening date for Virginia Beach’s Atlantic Park Surf Lagoon announced," August 11, 2025.

⁶ The Virginian-Pilot, "Virginia Beach’s Atlantic Park to open Aug. 16," August 11, 2025.

⁷ The Virginian-Pilot, "Virginia Beach’s Atlantic Park to open Aug. 16," August 11, 2025.

⁸ Virginia Business, "Atlantic Park expected to open in spring 2025," May 29, 2024.

⁹ WTVR CBS 6, "Inside Virginia Beach’s new surf lagoon: What you need to know," August 12, 2025.

¹⁰ WTKR, "Atlantic Park surf lagoon is filled; opening date to be announced soon," June 26, 2025.

¹¹ The Virginian-Pilot, "Virginia Beach’s Atlantic Park to open Aug. 16," August 11, 2025.

¹² The Virginian-Pilot, "Virginia Beach’s Atlantic Park to open Aug. 16," August 11, 2025.

¹³ Daily Press, "Atlantic Park opens soon in Virginia Beach," August 4, 2025.

¹⁴ Virginia Business, "Something in the Water gets extension from Va. Beach," January 7, 2025.