Canada’s First Full-Sized Surf Park Moves Forward in Britannia Beach

South Britannia has submitted plans for a seven-acre Wavegarden lagoon, bringing the Sea-to-Sky community another step closer to a targeted 2029 opening.

Surfing in the mountains may sound unusual, but it could soon become part of everyday life along British Columbia’s Sea-to-Sky Corridor.

The team behind South Britannia has submitted a Development Permit application for what it describes as Canada’s first full-sized surf park. The proposal includes a seven-acre Wavegarden lagoon, a public gathering building and a collection of hospitality and wellness spaces near Britannia Beach.

Located approximately 45 minutes north of Vancouver and 20 minutes south of Squamish, the development is being positioned as a new coastal destination where recreation, housing and community amenities come together.

What Is Included in the Latest Application?

At the centre of the proposal is the Wavegarden surf lagoon, designed to produce controlled and consistent waves for surfers of different experience levels.

The application also includes a 2,800-square-metre public hub featuring a surf academy, café, bar, restaurant and retail space. A 700-square-metre outdoor deck would overlook the lagoon and provide space for visitors to gather, eat and watch the surf.

The project team says surf cabins, wellness facilities and workforce housing will be included through an additional Development Permit application to complete the first phase.

Plans published by South Britannia also show boutique cabins, saunas, hot tubs and a new mountain-bike trail network surrounding the surf park.

More Than a Surf Park

The surf lagoon may attract the most attention, but South Britannia is ultimately planned as a complete neighbourhood.

The wider project is expected to include 900 market homes and 150 non-market affordable homes, along with rental housing, tourist accommodations, neighbourhood retail, parks, trails and improved public access to Minaty Bay.

The development received rezoning and development-agreement approval from the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District in 2025 following a lengthy review process. Phase One, centred on the surf park and visitor amenities, is expected to begin in 2026 and open in 2029.

Residential construction and the village core are currently planned to follow from 2030 onward, with the complete community expected to take shape gradually through 2035 and beyond.

A New Kind of Sea-to-Sky Destination

The Sea-to-Sky Corridor is already known for skiing, hiking, climbing, mountain biking and access to Howe Sound. South Britannia is betting that reliable, year-round surfing can become another major part of that identity.

Unlike ocean surfing, where conditions depend on weather, tides and swell, a controlled surf lagoon could make the sport more accessible to beginners while still offering performance waves for experienced surfers.

The project could also change Britannia Beach from a place many people pass while travelling between Vancouver and Squamish into a destination of its own.

The development team says it plans to break ground during the summer of 2026, with surfing targeted to begin in 2029. That timeline remains dependent on permits, construction and final approvals, but the latest application marks a significant step forward.

For the Sea-to-Sky Corridor, this is not simply another recreation facility. It is the foundation of an entirely new community built around outdoor living—and one of the most ambitious destination developments currently planned in British Columbia.

FAQ

Where will the South Britannia surf park be located?

The surf park is planned for South Britannia along the Sea-to-Sky Corridor, approximately 45 minutes north of Vancouver and 20 minutes south of Squamish.

When is the South Britannia surf park expected to open?

Construction is currently expected to begin in 2027, with the first waves targeted for 2029. The schedule may change depending on permits, approvals and construction progress.

What will be included in the development?

The first phase is expected to include a seven-acre Wavegarden surf lagoon, surf academy, café, restaurant, bar, retail space and outdoor viewing deck. Future plans also include housing, surf cabins, wellness facilities, trails and community amenities.