A former Navy site in Alameda’s West End may soon be home to a state-of-the-art $50 million surf park, featuring a two-acre artificial wave pool and a range of public amenities.
The proposed Neptune Beach Surf Club, located near West Hornet Avenue and Skyhawk Street, would occupy a 5.5-acre lot and include a surf facility capable of hosting up to 50 surfers at a time. The development is led by Pro Swell and Urban Mix Development, with architectural design by BAR Architects & Interiors.
Project lead William Duncanson said the team is targeting a groundbreaking date within 24 to 30 months, with a potential opening by 2029. Plans for the facility have not yet been formally submitted to the city’s planning department.
“Alameda is the best location for this type of project,” said Duncanson. “It’s central to the Bay Area and provides an accessible alternative to Ocean Beach or Pacifica.”
Wave Pool and Surf Amenities
At the heart of the development is a wave-generating pool utilizing Endless Surf technology, which uses bursts of air pressure to produce customizable wave shapes and durations. Surfers could ride waves for up to 19 seconds, with settings ranging from beginner-level whitewater to more advanced barrel and point break waves.
According to Andrew Thatcher, vice president of business development at Endless Surf, the system offers “barreling, curling, air sections, and everything in between.”
Pricing would vary by wave type:
Beginner waves: $85/hour (includes gear rental and a 30-minute dryland lesson)
A-frame waves (intermediate): $145/hour
Point break waves (advanced): $200/hour
Group and private instruction would be available for all skill levels.
Additional Features and Community Impact
In addition to the wave pool, the facility would feature:
A public bar and restaurant
A man-made beach with cabanas
A surf center offering gear rentals, public bathrooms, and a community room
A canoe club and a skateboard pump track
The development also includes the adaptive reuse of a dilapidated Navy building on the site. Nearby amenities, including the Alameda Community Sailing Center, Hornet Field, and adjacent soccer fields, would remain unaffected.
A Nod to History
The project’s name is a tribute to Neptune Beach, a seaside amusement park that operated on the island from 1917 to 1939. Once called the “Coney Island of the West,” the original park featured a roller coaster, swimming pool, carousel, and sunbathing beach.
Surf Parks in Context
Surf parks have gained popularity in recent years for offering consistent and safe wave conditions. Eddie Donnellan, head of the MeWater Foundation—a nonprofit focused on youth surfing—said artificial wave pools provide a controlled and accessible environment for beginners.
“For a place like Alameda, which is technically inland, you’re getting kids out in the water,” he said. “That’s great.”
Facilities such as the Palm Springs Surf Club have demonstrated potential business models for wave parks. According to spokesperson Massey Pitts, their venue rents cabanas for private events and hosts multiple hours of private surfing each day at rates around $3,000 per hour.
Environmental Considerations
Despite the benefits, artificial surf pools raise concerns over energy and water use. Thatcher acknowledged that Endless Surf’s pneumatic systems can consume more power than some competitors. However, he emphasized the system’s efficiency, noting that waves are generated on demand and scaled based on the number of surfers.
Alameda Municipal Power confirmed that the city’s energy portfolio is largely clean. Duncanson did not specify water consumption levels but estimated usage to be comparable to “watering one hole of a golf course.”
