our programs
We Protect Steward Defend Surf Ecosystems.
We believe that legally protected areas, effective stewardship and a mobilized constituency result in healthy and protected surf ecosystems.
Protected Areas
We protect surf ecosystems by creating protected areas in high priority coastal ecosystems that overlap with high quality surf.
WORLD SURFING RESERVES
SURF PROTECTED AREA NETWORKS
Program Highlight:
THE AZORES, PORTUGAL
Save The Waves launched a new initiative for creating SPANs in the Azores through the Blue Azores program with Waitt Foundation.
Ongoing campaigns
International campaigns to preserve and defend threatened waves and valuable surf ecosystems – from Mexico to The Maldives.
Save The Waves App


recent news in programs

Our Ocean Conference: Save The Waves represents surf conservation on an international platform
“This experience was a powerful reminder that while our challenges are great, our collaborative potential is immense.”

North Devon: The Quintessential UK Surf Ecosystem
As surfers, we value places with good waves, but there are other factors that keep us enchanted and hooked to our favorite coastal zones. Selected as the next World Surfing Reserve North Devon embodies the definition of a surf ecosystem.

North Devon announced as 12th World Surfing Reserve
Breaking News: North Devon has been selected at the 12th World Surfing Reserve! This international designation recognises the area’s outstanding quality surfing beaches, and brings together the local community to celebrate and protect their coastal heritage.

The Repsol Oil Spill in Peru: Its Ongoing Impact and How You Can Help
By Gino Passalacqua | Oil spills can take months to years to clean up, and the impacts will continue to be noticeable along the Peruvian coast for a long time. For these reasons, it is important to collect data through citizens’ participation to understand the magnitude of the spill.

World Surf League to support Surf Conservation Partnership efforts in Costa Rica and beyond
Today, we are excited to announce a new collaboration with the World Surf League and Conservation International through the Surf Conservation Partnership to protect world-class waves and coastal ecosystems.

What We Do: Protect
At Save The Waves, we strive to do more than react to immediate threats to surf breaks: we work hard to proactively conserve surf ecosystems and create surf protected areas.

Surf Conservation as a Lifeline
Written by Laura Zumbado. For me, conservation is a lifeline. Protecting these ecosystems is vital to enjoy the wellbeing they bring to us.

Surf and Conservation in the Atlantic: Protecting Azorean Waves
Five islands, six events, twenty-five films and one goal: protect surf breaks in the Azores. João de Macedo recaps recents travels with Save The Waves.

Voices of San Miguel: What It Means to Preserve the Birthplace of Mexican Surfing
With every iconic surf break, there’s history and community. By protecting these waves, we’re protecting everything they stand for.