El Nido: opening date and project status
Quick facts
| Wave tech | Wavegarden Cove · electro-mechanical |
|---|---|
| Session length | 60 minutes |
| Wave height (max) | 6.6 ft / 2 m |
| Waves per hour | 1,000 |
| Skill levels | Residents only |
| Public pricing | Residents only; no public sessions |
| Currency | Figures shown in USD for comparison. The venue bills in UYU, so the amount you pay moves with the exchange rate. |
| Address | Punta del Este, Maldonado Department, Uruguay |
| Last verified | September 2026 |
Wave settings and pricing
Waikiki
Coached whitewash for first-timers.
Malibu
Chest-high peeler with a workable shoulder.
Bay
Head-high performance wall for turns.
Reef
Overhead pitching lip with a barrel section.
Bringing a crew or want the whole lagoon? Groups of 6+ often unlock private sessions, buyout pricing, and perks you won't see on the booking page.
Get group pricing →Project status
What is actually confirmed about El Nido, and what is not.
This is the operator's stated target, not a confirmed opening date. Wave pool timelines move; we update this page when the target changes.
Going with a group?
Bachelor parties, birthdays, corporate offsites, family crews, El Nido can work for all of them. Planning a group trip? We'll help coordinate directly with the pool.
Getting there
El Nido is at Punta del Este, Maldonado Department, Uruguay.
The technology
El Nido runs on Wavegarden Cove, a electro-mechanical system from Aizarnazabal. The Cove uses 46+ independent electro-mechanical modules along one wall. Each module pushes a submerged panel; sequencing the pushes creates a travelling swell that peels down the reef bay. Software controls the panel firing pattern, so a Cove can shift from a mellow Waikiki roller to an overhead barrel between waves.
El Nido is being developed by a Uruguayan and Argentinian ownership group in partnership with Wavegarden. The site combines the Cove with a beach club, restaurants, tennis, padel and residential units, and slots into the summer high season that draws surfers from across the Rio de la Plata region. Opening is targeted for late October to November 2026, and surf access is reserved for residents of the private neighborhood, with no public sessions planned.
Frequently asked about El Nido
+Is El Nido open to non-members?
No. Surf access is reserved for residents of the private neighborhood, and no public sessions are planned.
+Where is Punta del Este?
On the Atlantic coast of Uruguay, about two hours east of Montevideo. It is a major summer destination for surfers and travellers from Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo and Rio.
Working at El Nido
No openings listed at El Nido today. Surf parks hire coaches, lifeguards, wave operators, and hospitality staff in seasonal waves, so it is worth checking the board again.
Want this whole trip handled?
Sessions, lodging, and the spots worth your time, planned in one shot. Tell us your dates and crew size.
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Source: WavePoolParty.com, El Nido: Opening Date, Status & What We Know (2026), verified 2026-09-26, https://wavepoolparty.com/pools/el-nido-uruguay