It’s just after sunrise on a beach somewhere between Tamarindo and Playa Hermosa. The lineup’s thinned out, boards are dripping on the sand, and a bunch of salty, sun-kissed surfers are swapping rash guards for gloves. But they’re not done yet—the next session is just beginning. Instead of paddling out, they’re combing the shoreline for plastic bottles, tangled fishing lines, and anything else that doesn’t belong in paradise. These aren’t just wave chasers. They’re eco-wave warriors—locals who ride barrels by morning and protect the coast by afternoon.
Costa Rica’s name says it all: La Costa Rica—the “Rich Coast.” It’s a country known for perfect peelers, dreamy coves, and beach breaks that make your soul hum. But even the cleanest barrels can’t hide what’s creeping ashore. Thousands of pounds of plastic wash up here each day, carried by tides and tossed by careless hands. Trash on the beach? It’s a buzzkill. For wildlife, it’s deadly. But Costa Rica’s surf community isn’t just shaking their heads—they’re suiting up for the fight.
Who Are Costa Rica’s Eco-Wave Warriors?
They’re the kind of people who wax their boards with one hand and carry a trash bag in the other. Local surf instructors, former pros, groms with big dreams—people who love the sea so much, they refuse to let it drown in plastic. These surfers aren’t just out there chasing swells; they’re out there defending them. Their connection to the ocean runs deep, and when their favorite breaks start choking on debris or turtle nests get trampled by careless development, they step up.
Being an eco-wave warrior means living the pura vida lifestyle with a purpose—keeping the coastline as clean and wild as the waves rolling in.
How Are Surf Communities Protecting the Coast?
The local surf scene in Costa Rica has evolved into a legit conservation force. These aren’t just beach lovers; they’re organisers, educators, innovators. Take a look at the grassroots groups making a serious impact:
MareBlu – Born from a surfer’s vision on the central Pacific, this crew means business. Their 4×4 “plastic recovery” truck roams the coast like a beach-cleaning beast, removing over 300,000 kilograms of trash in under five years. But they’re not just hauling junk—they’re upcycling it into useful stuff like eco-bricks and paving tiles. MareBlu also builds artificial reefs and runs a turtle hatchery. Yeah, they shred—on land and sea.
CREMA – A mix of scientists, conservationists, and yes, surfers. Based mostly around Guanacaste, CREMA’s crew watches over nesting turtles, tracks sharks, and campaigns hard to protect endangered marine life. Their founders even helped ban shark finning in Costa Rica. If there’s a creature with gills or a shell that needs help, chances are CREMA’s on it, with a surfboard strapped to the roof.
Eco Surf Schools – Bodhi Surf + Yoga in Bahía Ballena teaches you how to surf and how to be an ocean guardian. In Nosara, Safari Surf School became the world’s first STOKE-certified surf school—carbon neutral, community-minded, and as clean as the line-up after a good rain. These places teach students to ride the waves and protect them, combining stoke with stewardship.
Community Alliances – Even without formal names or logos, local surf towns rally hard. From the Surfrider Tamarindo chapter running monthly beach clean-ups to casual Facebook groups organising mangrove planting days, there’s a strong “grab a bag, meet at 9” energy all along the coast.
What Projects Are They Launching?
If it helps the ocean, they’re doing it. From microplastics to macro change, these surf-led efforts are leaving a mark.
- MareBlu’s trash hauls are the stuff of legend—massive cleanups, remote locations, and thousands of kilos of junk turned into something usable.
- Turtle rescue squads patrol beaches all night, relocating nests and guiding baby turtles to safety at dawn.
- Coral reef restoration is happening in places like Punta Leona, where surfers help install reef modules to give fish and coral a second chance.
- Tortuga recicladora sculptures—massive sea turtle-shaped recycling bins—now collect up to 50 kg of plastic each month. They look cool and they work.
- Reforestation missions in beach towns are replanting native trees to prevent erosion, cool down hot sands, and bring wildlife back to once-cleared coasts.
And the best part? They’re bringing the groms with them. Kids are learning early that a true surfer doesn’t just ride waves—they protect them.
Are International Groups Getting Involved?
Totally. This local passion is now backed by some major global players:
Surfrider Foundation – Born from California surf culture, Surfrider’s spirit is alive and well in Costa Rica. The Tamarindo chapter has become a model for community-based conservation, hosting cleanups, lobbying for plastic bans, and keeping water quality in check.
Parley for the Oceans – You’ve seen them turn ocean plastic into Adidas sneakers. Their AIR (Avoid, Intercept, Redesign) strategy has landed in Costa Rica through beach bar partnerships, plastic-free surf events, and global cleanup campaigns.
Save the Waves Coalition – Alongside Conservation International, they’re piloting a program in Costa Rica to establish surf-protected areas—think national parks, but built around world-class waves and the ecosystems that support them. Protect the break, protect the reef, protect the vibe.
Why This Movement Matters
This isn’t just about pretty beaches. It’s about defending Costa Rica’s identity. Surfing isn’t just a sport here—it’s culture, it’s livelihood, it’s connection. And clean beaches mean thriving tourism, resilient communities, and happy wildlife.
The ripple effect is real. A cleaner Playa Hermosa today means more sea turtles tomorrow. A mangrove restored in the Osa helps protect coastal towns from storm surges. A tree planted in Tamarindo helps shade the beach trail—and shelters howler monkeys, too.
And maybe, most importantly, a young surfer helping with their first beach cleanup might grow up to lead the next big conservation movement. That’s how it starts. One piece of trash. One baby turtle. One wave.
FAQ
Q: Why are surfers leading conservation in Costa Rica?
A: Because they’re in the water every day. They see the plastic, the damage, the changes—and they love the ocean too much to stay silent. It’s personal.
Q: What’s MareBlu all about?
A: MareBlu is a Costa Rican nonprofit that’s cleaning up the coast like legends. Trash removal, upcycling, turtle hatcheries, reef work—they do it all, and they started with a surfer’s dream.
Q: Is Surfrider active here?
A: Absolutely. The Tamarindo chapter is one of the most active, with regular clean-ups, community outreach, and water testing. They’re grassroots with global cred.
Q: How can I help while traveling?
A: Easy. Join a local beach cleanup (they happen all the time). Volunteer with MareBlu or CREMA. Book surf lessons with eco-certified schools. And yeah—pick up after yourself. The beach thanks you.
