The 10 Best Eco-Friendly Resorts in Every Corner of the World

Aside from claiming barrels and scoring empty waves with your homies, there are few better things out there for surfers than planning a surf trip. The excitement of deciding which tropical destination to jet off to during the winter months is a feeling that cannot be explained.

Searching for waves in remote locations takes a toll on both you and the environment. And while you may be equipped to handle it, the environment often isn’t. But if you plan your stay at an eco-friendly surf resort, you can travel sustainably while maintaining a true sense of adventure.

Not sure what to look for in a surf resort? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. From luxurious villas to on-site ocean conservation projects, these are the best eco-friendly surf resorts in the world.

10 Eco-Friendly Surf Resorts for Your Next Sustainable Adventure

Scorpion Bay – Baja, Mexico

The perfect right-hand point breaks of Scorpion Bay have drawn crowds since the 1970s. There are four main breaks, aptly named First, Second, Third, and Fourth Point that line the coast of the small fishing village known as San Juanico.

This off-the-grid (and practically off-the-map) region is home to a rich culture, stunning landscape, and most importantly, incredible waves. And at the center of it all lies Scorpion Bay Hotel, an eco-friendly surf resort with premier access to each of the four breaks. Ready for a strike mission to Central Baja? Here’s what you need to know.

Things to Know

When to Go - Peak season is from March to November as south swells roll into the bay from the Pacific. But as with most of Central America, you can find waves all year round.

Wave Type - point

Bottom - sand
Where You’ll Stay - If you’re looking for a boutique, uncrowded stay, Scorpion Bay is the place for you. It sleeps up to 18 guests across 10 bedrooms and 8 private bathrooms. And because that Mexican heat is no joke, all bedrooms are equipped with ceiling fans and portable A/C units are available upon request.
Getting There - Located on the central coast of Baja, Scorpion Bay is a 3 hour drive from Loreto Airport. If you’re traveling from the US, Alaska Airlines and Volaris Airlines are your only option.

Driving is more or less out of the question – it’s a 17 hour trip from Southern California. If you’re going to drive, locals recommend splitting it into two days to avoid driving at night for safety reasons.

What to Pack

Soft Goods - 1-2 mm wetsuit from January to May and boardshorts from June to December, pack both between seasons

Hard Goods - more of a longboard & mid-length vibe, but can turn into a performance wave with a big enough south swell. Bring a board sock to explore all the local breaks without damaging your quiver.

Sustainability

A STOKE-Certified surf resort, Scorpion Bay is powered by a combination of solar panels and a single diesel generator in the town of San Juanico. The management team is actively pursuing blue carbon offset projects like mangrove, kelp, and seagrass forest restoration to reach carbon-neutral status.

Los Cardones Eco Lodge (Nicaragua)

Looking for a quiet beach cabin all to yourself? Look no further. Los Cardones Eco Lodge is the perfect blend of surfing, sustainability, and luxury. With all-inclusive food packages and on-site ocean conservation, it’s the go-to option for eco-friendly surfers in Central America.

Things to Know

When to Go - year-round, though the biggest waves can be found from April - October as south swells light up the coastline
Wave Type - river mouth, hollow left point, and A-frames
Bottom - sand & rock
Where You’ll Stay - Take your pick. The Eco Lodge has ocean-view cabanas, bungalows, and entire house rentals to choose from.
Getting There - Fly into Managua Airport and the resort will arrange transportation for the 1-hour trip from the airport to the lodge.

What to Pack

Soft Goods - boardshorts, the water temperature rarely drops below 80F
Hard Goods - performance shortboards, fish, funboards, and/or longboards (all types of waves), pack them up in a travel bag

Sustainability

Los Cardones is a little more hands-on than most surf resorts when it comes to sustainability. Guests are encouraged to volunteer at the sea turtle nursery, which protects over 2000 baby turtles each year. The resort holds a permit from the Nicaraguan Ministry of the Environment to monitor sea turtle activity across the entire beach. And in addition to the nursery and monitoring, the Eco Lodge protects marine habitats, minimizes light pollution, organizes beach cleanups, and practices low-impact construction.

Palo Verde Hotel – El Salvador

Founded by a brother & sister duo from El Salvador, Palo Verde Hotel is the definition of “sustainable luxury.” In fact, the hotel is named after the native tree on the resort grounds (palos verde translates to “green branch” in English).

Located directly in front of the iconic El Zonte point break, you can check the conditions directly from your room. And when your shoulders have nothing left to give, you can relax in the beachfront infinity pool that overlooks the Pacific Ocean.

Things to Know

When to Go - March-October
Wave Type - points

Bottom - mostly sand, some cobblestone
Where You’ll Stay - The hotel has 10 rooms to choose from, ranging from standard King & Queen beds to full loft apartments with ocean views. Each room is equipped with air conditioning and locally-made El Salvadoran linens & furniture.

Getting There - Fly into El Salvador International Airport San Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez (SAL) and the Palo Verde team will hook you up with transportation. The resort is only a 1-1.5 hour drive from the airport.

What to Pack

Soft Goods - boardshorts
Hard Goods - performance shortboard

Sustainability

Powered by solar panels and home to its own wastewater treatment plant, Palo Verde is largely self-sustaining. But their commitment to people & planet extends beyond the environment, with multiple economic and social sustainability initiatives in operation. Some of these include NGO partnerships, women’s empowerment programs, and stimulating the local economy.

Olas Verdes Hotel – Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the most green countries in the world. And this hidden gem near Playa Guiones is no exception. Nestled against the Ostional-Nosara Wildlife Refuge, Olas Verdes Boutique Hotel is practically a step back in time with plenty of unpaved roads and uncharted waves to explore. And with plenty of eco-tourism activities, environmental initiatives, and community development programs, it’s a great option for eco-friendly surfers.

Things to Know

When to Go - year-round, but May to August are the best (and biggest)
Wave Type - 4 miles of steep beach breaks
Bottom - sand
Where You’ll Stay - Each of the 5 buildings represents a different part of Costa Rica, each of which is decorated with authentic crafts from the respective region. Guests have their choice of suites and apartments, each of which feature a living room, bed, and bathroom.

Getting There - The closest international airport is into Liberia (LIR), which is about a 2-3 hour drive from the hotel. For domestic travelers, fly into Nosara, just a 15 minute drive away.

What to Pack

Soft Goods - boardshorts
Hard Goods - shortboards, funboards, and fish shapes (even longboards on smaller days). Pack a few pairs of fins to navigate the steep walls and thick lips.

Sustainability

Olas Verdes was the first LEED-certified surf hotel in the world, cementing its place among the world’s top eco-surf resorts. It certifies that the entire property saves money, improves efficiency, lowers carbon emissions, and creates healthier places for inhabitants (plants, animals, and humans).

It’s equipped with rooftop solar panels, solar hot water, rainwater storage, and lush, native landscaping. It even managed to retain 90% of the existing trees on the land, which is uncommon for most beachfront developments.

Chicama Boutique Hotel – Peru

Perched on top of the longest left in the world, Chicama Boutique Hotel is truly a one-of-a-kind surf resort. There is nowhere else where you can step out of your luxury stay and onto a 2km wave that ends near the old sugar cane port. It’s such a long wave that the hotel even offers a “tow-back” service on their Zodiac boats – talk about a dream setup.

Things to Know

When to Go - year-round, but March to November are the best with winter in the southern hemisphere
Wave Type - left point
Bottom - sand with some rocks
Where You’ll Stay - Choose from one of the 20 rooms that have a private bathroom, King or twin beds, and a private balcony.

Getting There - Fly through Lima all the way to Trujillo, which is just an hour away from the beachfront hotel.

What to Pack

Soft Goods - boardshorts from January until March and a 2-3 mm wetsuit from April to December, pack both between seasons

Hard Goods - shortboard, funboard, fish, and/or longboard

Sustainability

The hotel is committed to keeping the beaches and facilities free from plastic. They’ve been plastic-free since 2018 and even offer free coffee to anyone who picks up plastic off the beach. And a few years ago, they partnered with a few local NGOs to prevent the construction of a 2km-long pier which would have destroyed the local environment and the wave itself.

Suarga Padang Padang – Bali, Indonesia

Perched on top of a world-class series of breaks in the “land of the lefts,” Suarga Padang Padang is truly a surfer’s paradise. Within just a few minutes walk of Uluwatu, Impossibles, Dreamland, and Padang Padang, you’ll have access to the best waves on the entire southern peninsula while surrounded by Balinese temples.

Things to Know

When to Go - dry season from April to October
Wave Type - reefs and point breaks
Bottom - reef
Where You’ll Stay - One of 36 rooms and villas that blend Balinese craftsmanship with western technology. And nearly all of these luxurious rooms have an ocean view.

Getting There - Fly into Ngurah Rai (DPS) and catch a cab, Gojek, or Grab car to the Uluwatu villas. Traffic times may vary between 1-2 hours depending on traffic.

What to Pack

Soft Goods - boardshorts
Hard Goods - performance shortboard and step up

Sustainability

A registered applicant of the forest stewardship council (fsc), Suarga was built using recuperated wood from local communities and constructed on stilts to avoid disturbing the local flora & fauna. The entire resort is powered by solar panels and the on-site gardens act as wetlands.

Harana Surf Resort – Siargao, Philippines

Siargao is just one of the nearly 8000 islands that make up the Philippines. But home to Cloud 9 and a host of other world-renowned surf breaks, it’s definitely the most popular among surfers. And Harana Surf Resort is the best place to be if you want to explore the 32 different breaks on the island.

Things to Know

When to Go - August to November (monsoon season)
Wave Type - points, A-frames, reefs, beach breaks, and more
Bottom - reef, rock, and sand
Where You’ll Stay - deluxe room, family villa, or community villa (hostel style)

Getting There - Fly into Siargao airport via Cebu or Manila, the resort will arrange transport for the 30 minute drive from the airport to Harana.

What to Pack

Soft Goods - boardshorts
Hard Goods - performance board, step up (for big Cloud 9), fish, longboards, and/or funboards

Sustainability

Harana is another STOKE-Certified surf resort that’s at the top of its game when it comes to sustainability. From plastic-free kitchens to water & energy conservation, your footprint will practically be nonexistent the moment you step onto the resort property. You’ll also have the chance to participate in multiple community engagement programs like planting trees, building homes, or teaching kids to read.

Maqai Eco Resort – Fiji

A true Fijian dream, Maqai Eco Resort walks the line between luxurious island living and total isolation. Located on Qamea, a small island in northern Fiji, some guests have felt like they’re the only surfers for hundreds of kilometers. If you’re looking to score some waves in the tropics at an off-the-beaten path resort, Maqai is for you.

Things to Know

When to Go - year-round, one of the only tropical locations where you can surf during both seasons
Wave Type - left and right reef breaks
Bottom - reef
Where You’ll Stay - a beachfront bure, Fijian wood-and-straw huts that sit just a few steps from the water

Getting There - Fly to Taveuni via Nadi or Suva, then take a boat transfer to the resort (arranged by staff). Book your flights early, the short flight to Taveuni only runs 2-3 times per day and has just 18 seats per plane.

What to Pack

Soft Goods - boardshorts
Hard Goods - performance shortboard, step up, and/or funboard

Sustainability

Maqai is STOKE-Certified and the recipient of multiple ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism and Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence Awards. Most of the resort is powered by solar power and is home to its own wastewater treatment system. Fishing is banned across the reef and strict boat routes prevent further destruction of the reef. If you’re traveling to Maqai, you’ll also have the opportunity to participate in coral gardening projects and beach cleanups.

Tavarua Island Resort – Fiji

Arguably the most famous surf stay in the world, Tavarua Island Resort is a one-of-a-kind experience. Since opening in the 1980s, surfers from all over the world have flocked to this heart-shaped island to chase perfect waves and endless barrels. It’s such an incredible place that the WSL used to reserve the entire island for a few weeks every year to run the WSL Fiji Pro (rumored to be returning to the Championship Tour soon). The waves are special, but the luxury resort is truly a thing of beauty and sustainability.

Things to Know

When to Go - March to August
Wave Type - left and right reef breaks
Bottom - reef (extra sharp)
Where You’ll Stay - choose from one of three luxurious beachfront bures or villa options, each of which has ocean views, en suite bathrooms, air conditioning, minibars, and private decks

Getting There - Fly into Nadi (NAN), then take a 30-40 minute scenic bus drive to the beach. From there, a small boat will transport you to Tavarua Island. Don’t worry, the resort arranges all of this for you.

What to Pack

Soft Goods - boardshorts
Hard Goods - shortboard, step up, mid-length, and/or funboard

Sustainability

Since its inception, Tavarua Island Resort has been committed to protecting the environment that provides world-class waves and experiences. Another STOKE-Certified resort, Tavarua recently pivoted entirely to solar power after they were shut down by COVID-19. It was also named an official Mission Blue Hope Spot, a designation issued by renowned oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle which classifies the island and surrounding reef as a marine protected area.

Matanivusi Surf Resort – Fiji

Skip the crowds at Tavarua and Cloudbreak and pack your bags for Matanivusi, an eco-friendly surf resort nestled in the Fijian Coral Coast. Home to breaks like Frigates and Fiji Pipe, this family-run resort has been hosting surfers from all over the world since 2000. And if private, white-sand beaches and empty, barreling reef breaks like these are your thing, you could be next.

Things to Know

When to Go - December to October
Wave Type - left and right reef breaks
Bottom - reef
Where You’ll Stay - one of 12 beachfront rooms equipped with mosquito nets, Fijian wood furniture, and a private terrace

Getting There - Fly into Nadi then take the 2-hour bus transfer to the resort.

What to Pack

Soft Goods - boardshorts
Hard Goods - performance shortboards, step ups, and/or funboards

Sustainability

The first STOKE-Certified surf resort in the world, Matanivusi values sustainability as much as they value luxury, seclusion, and unforgettable experiences. Using post and beam construction, local Fijians helped build the resort to prevent damaging the environment. The resort collects rainwater and has a recycling program in place to collect & sort all waste. And as far as community engagement goes, guests are provided the opportunity to participate in educational programs at local schools.

Ready to start packing for your next trip? Stay at one of these eco-friendly surf resorts to limit your footprint while scoring incredible waves and sleeping in luxury villas.