The Lost Shore Surf Resort at Ratho has been named as the best surf park in the world, according to an American surfer.
Writing in Blooloop, a visitor attractions industry title, lifelong surfer Mike Goldys revealed that the park, based in a former quarry in Ratho, was the best he had visited.
Despite only opening in 2024, Lost Shore has beat out competition from the likes of Japan, the Netherlands, Germany and even Hawaii to claim Mike’s top spot.
Mike, from Baltimore, Maryland, credited Lost Shore’s accommodation, food and of course its wave pool as the reasons behind its ranking, saying it went “above and beyond” for visitors.
He wrote: “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.
“Equally important as accommodation is the on-site food and beverage. This surf park goes above and beyond with a ‘Food Hub’, which is home to three dining options – Lost Kitchen, Lost Taco and a local pizza favourite, Civerinos.
“Lost Shore also keeps you busy with surfskate lessons offered by the SurfSkate Academy, wellness treatments at Spa Studio, poolside wood-fired sauna sessions at Spear Sauna or a scenic walk along the breathtaking walking path around the surf park perimeter.
“The venue goes above and beyond the core surf park offerings through its Surf Therapy collaborations with The Wave Project and Inclusive Surfing Scotland.
“Weekly events fill the calendar like quiz night, dance events, movie premieres, kids surf camps and specialty surf competitions.”
Commenting on his decision, Mike Goldys said: “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.”
The 60-acre destination is home to Europe’s largest wave pool and in 2025, welcomed more than 200,000 visitors, including 70,000 surfers and 10,000 accommodation guests, with people travelling from over 67 countries worldwide.
Founder Andy Hadden reflected on the recognition: “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.”
The Wave in Bristol was the UK’s only other entrant on Mike’s list of nine (coming in second place) – with the rest of the list made up of locations in Switzerland, Texas, Germany, Hawaii, Virginia, Japan and the Netherlands.
