Surf Spots We Could Lose Forever — And The Battle To Save Them

At any one point, hundreds, if not thousands, of surf spots are under critical threat. This could be due to a number of different elements including coastal developments, erosion, climate change, natural shifts of bathymetry – there are dozens of reasons why a surf zone can become endangered.

While some surf zones over the planet are succumbing due to natural causes, others have been subjected to intrusive, man-made interference. Some coastal communities are at the mercy of developers, looking to build hotels, or houses, along spots close to the ocean. Seawalls can refract waves and create all kinds of funkiness. Something this works in our favor (hello, Wedge) but other times, it can mean disaster and block swells reaching the coastline.

For decades, groups like Save The Waves have fought to protect surf zones across the world. In 2009, they launched World Surfing Reserves, with the aim to “identify and protect outstanding surf ecosystems, iconic waves, and surrounding environments from development.” As of this 2026, 13 surf zones have officially been protected thanks to this initiative, with more planned in the future.

Still, there is more that can be done to help preserve our oceans, seas and surf spots. With this in mind, here's a list of some of the under threat surf spots across the globe. And slight note, let us know if we've missed any, we'll be adding to this list as places become endangered, to help raise awareness of each spot or surf zone.

West Coast – South Africa

Since 2020, campaign group Protect The West Coast has been battling mining activity on the stunning left coast of the country, home to some of the more remote, and heavy, surf set-ups around. The team “comprises a collective of concerned South Africans (including scientists, journalists, activists, legal and media experts) who work for the organisation to ensure that mining on the West Coast of South Africa is conducted with the correct and proper oversight in accordance with fundamental principles of the law."

Mining, the group says, doesn't provide much short-term economic benefits, but adversely impacts the ecosystem and has a knock-on effect on the environment across the West coast of the country. The risks involve loss off access to beaches across the coast, damaging fragile dune systems, destruction of marine life and so much more. Surfers who travel to the west coast in search of solitude have regularly spoken out about the mining activity. In court documents, filed to the High Court in South Africa, Michael Stuart Schlebach managing director of Protect the West Coast, said: "As an environmentally concerned citizen, I started to investigate what was going on and found that other concerned surfers and ocean users, including South African big-wave surfing world champion, Grant 'Twiggy' Baker, big wave legend Frank Solomon, and world-renowned surf photographers, Alan Van Gysen and Anthony Fox, had already started to investigate what was happening on the West Coast.

"Protect the West Coast was then formed, with the principal object of bringing to the
attention of the general public the mining activities happening on the West Coast, and
to offer viable alternative economic opportunities to the communities who live there."

The organisation is continuing to battle the mining companies. You can find out more information by going here.

Puerto Escondido – Mexico

One of surfing's most fabled big waves, Puerto Escondido draws attention from all over the world when swells start to light up its shores. A powerful beachbreak barrel, and one of the most impressive waves around – Puerto Escondido is no joke when it turns on. It is also a wave under threat on multiple fronts. To the north, there is “improper wastewater infrastructure,” meaning the water is subject to contaminated sewage. Meanwhile, erosion is a huge concern which could be further impacted by plans for a port in the future.

Beyond that, Zicatela beach, where the big wave breaks, is under threat by coastal developments. There is also erosion here too, causing the sand to completely shift over the past few years. Although campaign groups were able to gain a prohibition permit for development plans along Playa Colorado, there's still more to be done to help Puerto Escondido survive. This surf zone has recently been ear-marked to become the 14th World Surfing Reserve – with the official ceremony happening sometime in 2026, affording all the protections that brings with it.

Thorli – Iceland

This 300-meter spot on the south coast of Iceland has been under threat due to plans for a harbor expansion that was set to take place in 2023. Back then, Steinarr Lar, president of the Icelandic Surfing Association said that if the plans go ahead, it would mean the end of Icelandic surf. Fast-forward to 2025 and heavy machinery was spotted removing the old harbor and working to extend out a new one. After public pressure, work was temporarily halted in February 2025 while new plans are drawn up that would include a new harbor, while maintaining the wave. Surfers and environmentalists claimed that the work had begun without proper environmental impact assessments. While the plans are currently paused, it's not known if these will be picked up again at a later date, once the proper assessments have been carried out.

Bukit Peninsula – Indonesia

The Bukit is home to at least five world-class surf breaks, probably more on their day. Yet, multiple developments have threatened the surf in this part of the world. In 2024, Indonesian authorities ploughed $5 million in to the construction of a concrete seawall around the Uluwatu cliffs. This was in order to stop a temple falling into the ocean. What that means for the surf is as of yet unknown, but it's understood that the seawall may have an impact on Uluwatu – creating backwash and interfering with the wave. Local and international surfers have widely criticised the plans. There has been no mention of any studies carried out into the impact of marine life.

Meanwhile, a proposed ring road is due to be built across the Bukit to help ease traffic burdens. However, infrastructure is likely to be built along the cliffs of the peninsula, which could result in erosion or loss of access to the beaches. Around 10 minutes away from Uluwatu, is Bingin Beach, where in 2025, 40-to-50 buildings were demolished including houses, restaurants, cafes and home-stays – as part of a crackdown on unregulated structures. The demolition caused global outcry. It's understood debris now means getting to the beach is difficult. A little over the way, a 182-meter, great glass elevator on Nuda Penida has been halted and decommissioned, due to 'severe violations of environmental regulations.' Not on the Bukit, but still, some glimmer of hope for pausing such schemes.

Chickens – Maldives

Chickens is one of the top surf spots in the Maldives. Maybe because it's easy to get to and when the swell hits just right, transforms into a throttling left-hand reefbreak, located in Male's North Atoll. Chickens can be incredibly fast, wildly hollow and can work through all stages of the tide – shooting to life from mid tide on the push. However, a few years back, the anatomy of the wave changed forever due to the construction of a seawall, interfering with the wave's quality.

Save The Waves have launched a campaign to restore Chickens to its former glory. The campaign group are: “advocating for the Maldivian government to support a geophysical study. This will help us and others understand the impact of current coastal infrastructure to wave quality and  explore alternative solutions that can restore the beloved wave.” While the road to preserve Chickens is a long one, there is still significant global pressure, with more than 6,000 signatures on a petition calling for further protection on surf breaks across the Maldives. You can view the petition here.

Santa Cruz – California

Another surf zone protected as a World Surfing Reserve, Santa Cruz is one of the most iconic surf spots in the world. But it is also at risk due to a constantly shifting shoreline, with experts citing climate change and erosion posing a serious threat to Santa Cruz. Rising sea levels could threaten the coastline, and protective infrastructure may pose a risk to wave quality and the surf economy. It's understood that up to two thirds of California's beaches could be completely eroded by the end of the century, if preventative measures aren't put into place.

According to reports, more than 70 Santa Cruz buildings will be at risk from flooding within the next 10 years, with an estimated four inch rise to the sea level. Campaign group, Bring Back Our Beaches, is regularly highlighting coastal communities across the globe and the reasons why sand is being stripped away from these locations. The group began as raising awareness for the loss of sand from beaches in San Clemente, but quickly grew to a widespread campaign advocating for sand replenishment. Head over here for in-depth updates about beaches across California and beyond.