WORLD SURFING RESERVES
Protecting outstanding surf breaks around the world.
World Surfing Reserves serves as a model standard for preserving wave breaks and their surrounding areas by recognizing and protecting key environmental, cultural and economic attributes in coastal communities.
Save The Waves’ flagship program proactively identifies, designates and preserves outstanding waves, surf zones and their surrounding environments around the world. WSRs represent a global network of designated surfing reserves that are managed, implemented, and protected by local communities.
What is the World Surfing Reserves program?
The World Surfing Reserves (WSR) program proactively identifies, designates and preserves outstanding waves, surf zones and their surrounding environments around the world.
Although the program is managed and administered by Save The Waves Coalition, WSRs represent a global network of designated surfing reserves that are managed, implemented, and protected by the local community.
World Surfing Reserves provide a platform and stakeholder engagement mechanism to pursue projects that protect the surf, community and environment.
Recent News on WSRs
Understanding changes to surf ecosystems in the era of climate change
Dr. Dan Reineman of California State University Channel Islands teams up with Save The Waves and World Surfing Reserves to understand specific impacts of climate change on world class waves.
World Surfing Reserves: Stewardship Stories – August 2026
In this August report of World Surfing Reserves, we’re looking at the progress of 4 individual WSR locations: Punta de Lobos, Gold Coast, North Devon, and Guarda do Embaú.
From Resistance to Science: Protecting the Waves of Puerto Escondido
How can we understand what’s happening to the wave in Zicatela beyond observed changes by surfers and the community? Conducting the first high-resolution bathymetric and photogrammetric survey of the beaches of Bahía Principal, Marinero, and Zicatela. Article by Almendra Gomezleyva, in English and Spanish.
Summer Update: Santa Cruz World Surfing Reserve
As the season evolves, so does the coastline. Here is the latest on what’s happening along the Santa Cruz coastline and how you can take action to look after this epic surf ecosystem.
Created in partnership with local communities.
We work collaboratively with local coalition partners at each site guiding them through a conservation planning process that results in the creation of a Local Stewardship Council (LSC) and a Reserve Stewardship Plan. The LSC is responsible for the ongoing management of the Reserve once established.
World Surfing Reserve Location Sites
We have designated 14 WSR sites to date operating under local management in: Australia, Brazil, California, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, El Salvador and the United Kingdom.
Applying to Become a WSR
Each year, Save The Waves accepts one new World Surfing Reserve. The application process requires significant work from local communities and their inquiry is based on the following core criteria:
1) Quality and consistency of the wave(s);
2) Important environmental characteristics;
3) Culture and surf history;
4) Governance capacity and local support;
5) Priority Conservation Area
Applying to Become a WSR
Each year, Save The Waves accepts one new World Surfing Reserve. The application process requires significant work from local communities and their inquiry is based on the following core criteria:
1) Quality and consistency of the wave(s);
2) Important environmental characteristics;
3) Culture and surf history;
4) Governance capacity and local support;
5) Priority Conservation Area
