Construction Starts On Portugal’s First Wavegarden Surf Park
- Construction has officially commenced on SURFERS COVE, Portugal’s first Wavegarden Cove surfing lagoon, marking an important milestone for the Óbidos project. The lagoon is a central feature of a four-star resort and is scheduled to open to the public in 2026. This forward-thinking tourism and sports initiative represents a €25 million investment and will strengthen the Oeste region’s reputation as a hub for European surfing.
Professional surfer Kanoa Igarashi, an Olympic silver medalist in Tokyo and Portugal resident, has invested in the project, asserting that Wavegarden’s technology represents a key part of the sport’s future.
The growth of the surf park industry confirms a trend that is shaping the next generation of global surfing, with Portugal joining the movement through the construction of its first wave pool.
The lagoon features a 46-module Wavegarden Cove, the wave generator system successfully proven in Wavegarden’s 12 current installations worldwide capable of generating up to 1,000 waves per hour, with a Wave Menu offering over 25 wave types. These range from soft, long waves ideal for beginners to powerful waves.
“SURFERS COVE is going to be a magical place,” said Fernando Odriozola, Chief Commercial Officer at Wavegarden. “Sharing the coastline with legendary surf spots like Supertubos, Ericeira, and Nazaré, Óbidos is already globally recognized for surfing, and the addition of a Wavegarden Cove will further elevate the region’s reputation.”
The Óbidos project will cover five hectares and include up to 56 accommodation units, a restaurant, a surf shop, a wellness area, a skate park, padel and beach tennis courts, a surf school, a gym, and bike track, green areas, and spaces for corporate events. The project is backed by investors including Menlo Capital, Manuel Maria Vasconcelos, Despomar, Admar, and Marcelo Martins (Onda Pura Surf Center), as well as Kanoa Igarashi, currently ranked #3 in the World Surf League.
While the Portuguese coastline is known for its high-quality waves, like most oceanbreaks, they are often inconsistent and subject to the effects of tides, winds, and fluctuations in swell size, which can make surfing conditions unreliable. The SURFERS COVE aims to complement the ocean by offering perfect waves year-round, in controlled and safe conditions – ideal for newcomers and children – as well as providing a world-class training ground for Portuguese and European professional surfers.
Wavegarden_Kanoa Igarashi at the Wavegarden Lab (
