Protected areas
We protect surf ecosystems by creating well-managed protected areas in high priority coastal zones that overlap with high quality surf.
Save The Waves achieves long-term conservation goals and creates impact from the ground up through our two global programs: World Surfing Reserves (WSRs) and Surf Protected Area Networks (SPANs).
WORLD SURFING RESERVES
SURF PROTECTED AREA NETWORKS
recent news in Protected areas
Applications for ‘World Surfing Reserve’ Program Opens
World Surfing Reserves is our flagship program dedicated to protecting outstanding surf breaks. Application window is open April 8 – October 15, 2021.
Historic Milestone: 10,000-Acre Sanctuary Approved on Chile’s Central Coast
The Sanctuary encourages the protection of over 10,000 acres located on the central coast of Chile, including Topocalma and Puertocillo.
Noosa, Australia Officially Dedicated as 10th World Surfing Reserve
On Friday, February 21, Australia’s famous Noosa pointbreaks were officially dedicated as the 10th World Surfing Reserve.
Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve in pursuit of legal protection
The Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve will work with the City of Gold Coast Council and Queensland State Government to secure protection.
How do we create protected areas?
We use a combination of voluntary conservation agreements, economic incentives, coalition-building and regulatory frameworks to achieve this goal by creating individual Reserves (WSRS) and Networks (SPANS).