Boy in Water

Empower locally.

Man Surfing

Inspire Globally.

Protecting world-class waves and vital marine ecosystems.

The Surf Conservation Partnership is an unprecedented strategic alliance between Conservation International and Save The Waves to protect the world’s best waves
and the incredible marine and coastal ecosystems that surround them. 

Save The Waves Coalition LogoConservation International

Jason Momoa
is The Wave

Inspired by the work of the Surf Conservation Partnership, 'The Wave' joins the award-winning #NatureIsSpeaking series. Jason Momoa - Aquaman actor, Hawaiian-native and ocean sustainability advocate - teams up with Conservation International and Save The Waves Coalition to protect and preserve our global coastlines and surf ecosystems. Directed by world-renowned surf filmmaker Taylor Steele.
Jason Momoa is The Wave
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Boy with OctopusCorral
Man Surfing in Black & White

Our goal is to sustainably manage hundreds of waves and millions of hectares of coral reefs, coastal forests and other critical habitats in areas that otherwise would not be conserved.

Reef

Goals are important, 
but action is better.
‍
Where do we start?

Creating Surf Protected Area Networks

Tree in IndonesiaTree in Indonesia
We create Surf Protected Areas by working with local communities and governments. Using surf breaks as the anchor to mobilize interest and gather support.

Surf Protected Areas aim to conserve larger surrounding ecosystems - including miles of coastlines, large areas of coastal forests, and critically important coral reefs and mangroves.
By removing threats of overfishing, deforestation, plastic pollution and unsustainable development – helping nature and people to thrive.

In Surf Protected Areas, surf breaks are a focal point, but the protected areas conserve much larger surrounding ecosystems including miles of coastlines and large areas of forests. This holistic approach brings about ecosystem-based conservation.
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Across the globe, more than 85 percent of the world's best surf breaks are located in areas that are critically important for marine and coastal conservation.

  • Indonesia

    With incredible biological diversity and thousands of world class waves, Indonesia has limitless potential for the creation of Surf Protected Areas.

  • Fiji

    Working with local partners, SCP is developing a country strategy to create a network of Surf Protected Areas.

  • Hawai'i

    SCP is developing a surf conservation strategy for the Hawaiian Island that honors the critical role of surfing in Hawaiian culture and in people’s relationship to and concern for the ocean.

  • Costa Rica

    Save The Waves has approved the World’s newest World Surfing Reserve at Playa Hermosa near Jaco and SCP will build from there to create a national network of Surf Protected Areas.

  • Indonesia

    SCP is supporting the creation of Surf Protected Areas on four islands in Indonesia: Morotai, Bali, Sumba and Biak and is expanding to create a national network of Surf Protected Areas in one of the world’s most biologically diverse and wave rich countries.

  • Fiji

    Working with local partners, SCP is developing a country strategy to create a network of Surf Protected Areas.

  • Hawai'i

    Working with local partners, SCP is developing a country strategy to create a network of Surf Protected Areas.

  • Costa Rica

    Save The Waves has approved the World’s newest World Surfing Reserve at Playa Hermosa near Jaco and SCP will build from there to create a national network of Surf Protected Areas.

Healthy coastlines and quality surf breaks have immense social and economic value to local communities.

View Our Approach
Reef underwater
Surfboards
Globally, each site with good surf generates US $18 million annually for the local economy — highlighting the importance of protecting surf areas and managing surf tourism to local communities and governments.
Men Swimming Underwater
With surfing as the anchor, Surf Protected Areas conserve much larger surrounding ecosystems by addressing threats of overfishing, deforestation, plastic pollution and unsustainable development — helping nature and people to thrive.
Reef underwater
With surfing as the anchor, Surf Protected Areas conserve much larger surrounding ecosystems by addressing threats of overfishing, deforestation, plastic pollution and unsustainable development — helping nature and people to thrive.
Globally, each site with good surf generates US $18 million annually for the local economy — highlighting the importance of protecting surf areas and managing surf tourism to local communities and governments.
Surfboards
Men in boat watching friend swimming underwater
OceanOcean

By 2025,
together we will

01Protect more than 1 million hectares (2.5 million acres) around the world’s best surf breaks including irreplaceable coral reefs, mangroves, coastlines and coastal forests. (This is an area 100 miles long by 40 miles wide or 4000 square miles).
02Improve the lives of tens of thousands of people through sustainable development.
03Empower youth—with a focus on gender equity—to build critical life skills and actively lead conservation and sustainable economic enterprises.

Help us transform conservation.

Seaweed Image
This innovative partnership is mobilizing surfing communities to protect nature in some of the world’s most precious marine and coastal areas – for the benefit of everyone on Earth. 
Seaweed Image

Help us transform conservation.

This innovative partnership is mobilizing surfing communities to protect nature in some of the world’s most precious marine and coastal areas – for the benefit of everyone on Earth.