The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of plasticity burnishing on the surface properties and antifouling resistance of UHMWPE. Ball burnishing experiments at different pressures (44–131 bar) and path strategies (1: Single Parallel and 2: Cross Parallel) were conducted. The treated surface was characterised in terms of surface roughness, surface topography, and contact angle (CA) to evaluate its surface wettability. Microhardness, wear and impact resistance were measured to assess mechanical integrity. Results show that as the burnishing pressure increased, surface roughness decreased. Strategy 2 demonstrated the most significant reduction in surface roughness. No clear relationship between burnishing pressure and CA was found. However, Strategy 2 with relatively higher pressure generated specific surface micro-texture that was responsible for higher CA over Strategy 1. Marine salt spray tests demonstrated improved water adsorption stably, creating a uniform hydration layer on the surface treated with Strategy 2. Consequently, in-field marine fouling test results revealed an improved antifouling resistance of the burnished surface. The burnishing increased microhardness, wear and impact resistance. Improvement in surface integrity was attributed to stretching and plastic yielding of entangled macromolecular chains and crystals networks in UHMWPE. The findings indicate that ball burnishing with appropriate path pattern and pressure could be a viable route to improve surface wettability and antifouling resistance.