In Morotai, most toddlers can wax a surfboard before they can spell their own name — but the island's waves, coral reefs, and way of life are under threat.
The waves around Morotai Island are among the finest in Indonesia, but the real treasure lies beneath the tide. Across the globe, many of the best surf breaks overlap with irreplaceable ecosystems, where fast-moving water crashes into coral reefs, seamounts, and kelp forests. But these rich pockets of life are increasingly suffocated by pollution, overfishing, and coastal development, putting far more than just surfing at risk.
Our solution: Enlist the world's surfers to protect the nature we all need.
In 2020, we approached the islanders with a fresh take on conservation: surf protected areas. First, we would help village governments establish nature reserves, with legal protections, centered around the island's best waves. Then, we'd help finance sustainable businesses — like eco-lodges and surf schools — to create economic alternatives to fishing and farming. The goal: reduce pressure on the ecosystem, while building long-term buy-in.
We said to ourselves: OK, there are 35 million surfers around the world. It’s a $60 billion industry. And every surfer has a personal stake in conserving the coast. Let’s take that passion — and that reach — and channel it toward the cause of our lifetime.
At first, local officials agreed to ten surf protected areas, a modest pilot for a new idea. But within a year, fisherman began to notice some changes. Their nets were overflowing with yellowfin tuna. The marlins and wahoos fed more people and fetched more money at market. Suddenly, everyone was talking about conservation.
The islanders asked for help creating fifteen more protected areas. Then, they raised their ambitions again, envisioning an island-wide network of nature reserves, spanning both land and sea. That's the power of surf conservation: The momentum doesn't stop at the shoreline.
Between 2020 and 2024, our team helped establish thirty surf protected areas across Indonesia, covering an area the size of Hong Kong. Because local surf communities were already invested in the mission, those reserves were created in months, rather than years. Dozens more are on the way in Indonesia, and with support from the World Surf League and Save the Waves Coalition, the program is expanding to Brazil, Costa Rica, Peru, and Fiji.
One day, we hope to reach all 4,000 of the world's surf ecosystems. It could take decades, but that's OK. We're getting a head start, hosting camps and inspiring new surfers to become lifelong conservationists — one wipeout, one broken board, one unforgettable barrel at a time.
A Closer Look
The Surf Conservation Partnership is active in Indonesia, Costa Rica, Brazil, Peru, and Fiji.
Check out these clips from Morotai Island — and other iconic surf breaks around the world.
Enriching Our Oceans
Conservation International helps secure the ocean's bounties for future generations. Learn more about our plan for this decisive decade.
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