Edinburgh’s Lost Shore: World’s Best Surf Park Ratho 2026

Key Points

• Lost Shore Surf Resort in Ratho, Edinburgh, has been named the world’s best surf park by American surfer Mike Goldys in an article for Blooloop.​
• The resort, opened in late 2024 in a former quarry, features Europe’s largest wave pool using Wavegarden Cove technology, producing waves for various skill levels including Cruiser, Turns, Manoeuvres, Barrels, and High Performance.​
• Mike Goldys, a lifelong surfer from Baltimore, Maryland, who has visited 27 wave pools across 10 countries, praised Lost Shore for its on-site accommodation (over 50 units like hilltop lodges and waterfront pods with king-size beds, AC/heat, heated floors, bathrooms, fridges, and mood lighting), food hub (Lost Kitchen, Lost Taco, Civerinos pizza), ancillary activities (surfskate lessons, Spa Studio wellness, Spear Sauna, walking paths, Surf Therapy with The Wave Project and Inclusive Surfing Scotland), and events (quiz nights, dance events, movie premieres, kids surf camps, competitions).​
• Goldys stated: “Across the surf parks I assessed globally, Lost Shore delivered one of the strongest combinations of technology, experience and atmosphere. It’s not just about the waves, it’s about creating a complete experience for the paying customer. That balance isn’t always understood on the business end, but Lost Shore has nailed it.”
• In 2025, the 60-acre resort welcomed over 200,000 visitors, including 70,000 surfers and 10,000 accommodation guests from more than 67 countries.​
• Founder Andy Hadden commented: “It’s not every day you’re recognised as the world’s best and it is incredibly humbling. It reflects the dedication of our team, the belief of our partners, and the support of the surfing community who’ve backed us from the beginning. We set out to build more than a wave pool – we wanted to create a destination that brings people together through adventure, wellbeing and world-class experiences. To have that vision acknowledged internationally means a huge amount, and we’re excited to welcome even more visitors from around the world in the year ahead.”​
• Lost Shore ranked above competitors like The Wave in Bristol (UK, 2nd), OANA Surf (Switzerland, 3rd), Waco Surf (Texas, 4th), o2 SURFTOWN MUC (Germany, 5th), The LineUp at Wai Kai (Hawaii, 6th), Atlantic Park Surf (Virginia, 7th), Surf Stadium (Japan, 8th), and RiF010 (Netherlands, 9th).​
• Earlier successes include £18 million economic boost in first year (over 100,000 visitors), Innovation and Advancement Award at Surf Park Summit, SurfParkNerd’s top vote, Judges’ Special Recognition Award at The Herald Property Awards, Geotechnical Award at Scottish Civil Engineering Awards (to Malcolm Construction), and Surf Lab with Edinburgh Napier University.
• Positive visitor reviews on Tripadvisor highlight unreal waves, friendly staff, quality facilities, affordable food, and international appeal.​
• The resort supports a petition for direct bus route from Edinburgh city centre to improve access, backed by Resort Director Mark Stewart.​

Ratho, Edinburgh (Edinburgh Daily News) February 24, 2026 – Lost Shore Surf Resort has been crowned the world’s best surf park by a seasoned American surfer, outshining global rivals just over a year after opening its doors in a disused quarry.​

What Made Lost Shore the World’s Top Surf Park?

Mike Goldys, a lifelong surfer from Baltimore, Maryland, who has surfed 27 wave pools across 10 countries and clocked over 145 hours in 134 sessions, ranked Lost Shore first in his Blooloop article “9 of the world’s best surf parks”. As reported by Mike Goldys of Blooloop, he evaluated factors like booking experience, food and beverage, ancillary activities, surf shop, facilities, rentals, accommodation, and customer care.​

Goldys highlighted the resort’s Wavegarden Cove system with 52 modules, offering 60-minute sessions with ample waves on left and right sides for all levels. He noted:

“Surfing aside, this surf park offers a handful of reasons to make your visit and overnight stay. Of the 27 wave pools I visited, only four offered on-site accommodation. Lost Shore stands out, offering 50+ units surrounding the picturesque wave pool, ranging from hilltop lodges to waterfront pods. Don’t be fooled by the size of the poolside pods; they are equipped with a king-size bed, controlled AC/heat, heated floor, bathroom, shower, fridge and even mood lighting. Waking up to the sounds of Wavegarden swells and watching the sun set over the pool is an experience in itself.”​

The Food Hub impressed with Lost Kitchen, Lost Taco, and Civerinos pizza, allowing variety between sessions. Activities include SurfSkate Academy lessons, Spa Studio wellness, Spear Sauna wood-fired sessions, perimeter walks, and Surf Therapy with The Wave Project and Inclusive Surfing Scotland. Weekly events feature quiz nights, dance events, movie premieres, kids surf camps, and competitions.​

Who Is Mike Goldys and How Did He Rank the Parks?

Mike Goldys, writing in Blooloop, described his unbiased perspective as a paying customer. His list placed The Wave in Bristol second for its B-Corporation status, solar energy, and glamping, despite access challenges. Third was OANA Surf in Switzerland’s Mall of Switzerland for year-round indoor surfing and café.​

Fourth, Waco Surf in Texas offered PerfectSwell waves, family activities, and AI cameras, with 38,000+ surfers in 2025. Fifth, Germany’s o2 SURFTOWN MUC debuted Endless Surf with 18,000 surfers in August 2025. Sixth, Hawaii’s The LineUp at Wai Kai boasted the largest Citywave and water sports. Seventh, Virginia’s new Atlantic Park Surf generated 20 wave types. Eighth, Japan’s Surf Stadium near Shizunami Beach hosted Olympic training. Ninth, Netherlands’ RiF010 retrofitted a canal with Surf Loch tech for 23,000 surfers.​

Goldys concluded:

“Lost Shore was a top experience among surf parks I’ve visited. Every part of the guest experience is accounted for, including fun waves to surf, places to stay overnight, a food hub offering many options and fun ancillary activities. I felt like a valued customer and that I got my money’s worth.”​

What Are the Resort’s Visitor Stats and Economic Impact?

In 2025, Lost Shore welcomed 200,000 visitors (70,000 surfers, 10,000 accommodation guests) from 67+ countries, per Blooloop. Earlier reports from What’s On Edinburgh and Wavepoolmag noted over 100,000 visitors in the first year, generating an £18 million economic boost, 130 jobs, and surfers from Australia, Japan, Brazil.

The 60-acre site, a £60 million investment, features Europe’s largest inland wave pool—three times Wembley’s pitch size—producing 1,000 waves hourly.

What Awards Has Lost Shore Won Before This?

Lost Shore secured the Innovation and Advancement Award at the Surf Park Summit, the only park in all three major categories among 26 global entrants, for its Surf Lab with Edinburgh Napier University on sustainable design and athlete development, as per What’s On Edinburgh. SurfParkNerd also voted it the planet’s best there.

Malcolm Construction won the Geotechnical Award at Scottish Civil Engineering Awards 2025 for the project. Wavegarden reported Judges’ Special Recognition at The Herald Property Awards for engineering and regeneration.

What Do Visitors Say About Lost Shore?

Tripadvisor reviews rave about the waves: one surfer of 27 years called them “mind blowing” across four settings, praising pods, staff, wetsuits, and food. Others noted consistent waves, international visitors from Ireland to Australia, gluten-free options, and a great vibe despite water colour. “How amazing is it to have perfect waves in Edinburgh 7 days a week,” one said.​

What Is Founder Andy Hadden’s Reaction?

Andy Hadden reflected:

“It’s not every day you’re recognised as the world’s best and it is incredibly humbling. It reflects the dedication of our team, the belief of our partners, and the support of the surfing community who’ve backed us from the beginning.”

He added the vision was for a destination uniting adventure, wellbeing, and experiences.

What Access Challenges Does the Resort Face?

Lost Shore and EICA petition for a direct bus from Edinburgh centre, as current trips take over an hour via two buses and walks. Resort Director Mark Stewart stated:

“Lost Shore Surf Resort has been a proud supporter of the Ratho Bus Working Group… A well-connected bus route… would reduce traffic congestion… and contribute to net zero goals.”

Convener Stephen Jenkinson tasked officers with exploring options.​

Why Does This Recognition Matter for Edinburgh?

This accolade cements Lost Shore’s role in Scotland’s tourism, drawing global surfers and boosting the economy, as Yardbarker noted with first-year profit mentions. It positions Edinburgh as a surf hub, blending innovation with natural beauty in Ratho.