World's First Saltwater Wave Pool Opens in Saudi Arabia

Imagine catching perfect waves in the desert, with real saltwater that makes you float just like the ocean does. That's exactly what surfers are experiencing at the world's first saltwater pneumatic wave pool, which opened this week at The Red Sea in Saudi Arabia.

The new Endless Surf lagoon at ADRENA, an adventure sports district, marks a major breakthrough in wave pool technology. For years, engineers avoided using seawater in these systems because salt corrodes equipment and creates maintenance nightmares. But the team cracked the code with a closed-loop system that draws water directly from the Red Sea, filters it through the lagoon, and returns it cleaned back to the ocean.

World champion surfer Yago Dora and fellow pros tested the waves and confirmed what the science promised. The extra buoyancy from saltwater creates an authentic ocean sensation that freshwater pools simply can't match.

The technology behind the magic is called the ES36 system, which uses air pressure instead of underwater machinery to generate waves. Through software called Swell Studio, operators can adjust wave height, shape, angle, and timing to create everything from gentle rollers for beginners to steep barrels for advanced surfers.

Wave pool veteran Cheyne Magnusson joined Endless Surf last year and fine-tuned the programming to deliver what surfers call incredibly authentic rides. The lagoon can switch between different surfing zones throughout the day or create custom wave settings for special events.

The Ripple Effect

This opening represents just the beginning of something bigger. Endless Surf has four more projects launching in 2026 across Rio de Janeiro, Florida, Cabo, and Riyadh. The success of saltwater technology means coastal destinations worldwide can now offer premium surf experiences without compromising the ocean-like feel that makes surfing special.

ADRENA officially opens to the public on March 1st with over 20 activities including wakeboarding, rock climbing, zip lines, and beach sports. The surf lagoon serves as the centerpiece attraction, proving that innovation can bring ocean experiences to unexpected places while treating the environment with respect through its filtered water return system.

The desert just got a whole lot more like the coast, and surfers everywhere are celebrating.