Sustainability & Community Impact
As surfers, our connection to the ocean is fundamental. It is our playground, our sanctuary, and our lifeblood. At Surfing Canggu, we recognize our profound responsibility to protect this fragile environment and to support the vibrant community that calls this island home. Our sustainability policy is guided by the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, which emphasizes harmony between humans, nature, and the spiritual world. This is not an afterthought; it is a core component of our business ethos.
Our Environmental Commitments
We are dedicated to minimizing our environmental footprint and actively contributing to the conservation of Bali’s natural beauty.
- Marine Conservation Partnership: We pledge a percentage of our annual profits to the Coral Triangle Center (CTC) in Sanur, a local organization dedicated to protecting marine biodiversity in Indonesia, the heart of the world’s most diverse marine ecosystem.
- Active Beach & River Clean-ups: We don’t just talk about the problem of ocean plastic; we actively fight it. In partnership with Sungai Watch, we organize and sponsor monthly beach clean-up events at Echo Beach and Batu Bolong, engaging both our staff and guests.
- Zero Single-Use Plastic Policy: We have a strict zero-tolerance policy for single-use plastics in our operations. All guests are provided with reusable water bottles, and we partner with local vendors who use sustainable, non-plastic packaging for post-surf refreshments.
- Sustainable Sourcing: We consciously source eco-friendly products, including biodegradable, reef-safe zinc sunscreen and locally produced, non-toxic surf wax. We prioritize repairing our surfboards to extend their lifespan and reduce landfill waste.
Our Community Commitments
We believe that sustainable tourism must benefit the local community. We are committed to being a positive force in Canggu and creating opportunities for its residents.
- Local Employment & Empowerment: We are proud that over 90% of our team are Indonesian nationals, with a majority hired from the local Canggu and Pererenan communities. We invest in their professional development through ongoing training and ISA certification, creating long-term career paths. Meet them on our Our Team page.
- Supporting Local Enterprises: We actively support the local economy by sourcing our coconuts and snacks from local warungs (small family-owned businesses), recommending locally-owned restaurants, and collaborating with Balinese artisans for our merchandise.
- Youth Surf Development Program: We run the “Anak Ombak” (Children of the Waves) program, which provides free weekly surf lessons and equipment to children from the local Banjar (village council). Our goal is to foster the next generation of Balinese surfers and ocean guardians.
- Cultural Respect: We educate our guests on local customs and etiquette, including appropriate conduct during beach ceremonies (melasti) and daily offerings (canang sari), ensuring our presence is always respectful.
By choosing to surf with us, you are not just investing in a personal skill; you are contributing to a business model that actively works to preserve the magic of Bali for generations to come.
Continue exploring Surfing Canggu:
Our Surfing Canggu Service ·
Meet Our Team ·
Editorial Standards ·
Methodology ·
Sustainability ·
Safety & Compliance
Community empowerment and local livelihoods
The salty kiss of the Indian Ocean, the rhythmic thrum of breaking waves – these are the sensations that define a morning in Canggu, a vibrant coastal hub on Bali’s southwestern edge. Beyond the immediate thrill of the surf, our dedication extends deeply to the people who make Canggu so special. Surfing Canggu is profoundly rooted in the local community, believing that genuine sustainability flourishes when it directly empowers its residents. We prioritize fair employment practices, ensuring that over 85% of our staff, from seasoned surf instructors to our dedicated guesthouse team and drivers, are local Balinese residents. This unwavering commitment translates into stable livelihoods and opportunities for professional growth within their own homeland, fostering a sense of pride and ownership.
Our approach further extends to bolstering the local economy, fostering a thriving network of small businesses and artisans. We conscientiously source our provisions, from the fresh tropical fruits gracing our breakfast tables to the vibrant ingredients in our traditional Balinese meals, directly from local farmers and markets. This practice not only guarantees the freshest seasonal produce but also injects vital capital directly into the immediate community. Furthermore, we collaborate with local craftspeople for everything from surfboard repairs to custom-made souvenirs, ensuring that the economic benefits of tourism circulate where they are most impactful, supporting traditional skills and local entrepreneurial spirit.
Education and skill-building form another cornerstone of our community engagement. We actively support local youth initiatives, offering mentorships and training programs that equip young Balinese with valuable skills for the tourism industry and beyond. Understanding that the future of Canggu rests with its next generation, we invest in their potential, providing pathways to meaningful employment and leadership roles. This holistic support strengthens the social fabric, preserving the unique character of Canggu while nurturing its future prosperity and ensuring that the local culture continues to thrive alongside responsible development.
Pioneering sustainable operations and guest engagement
Our commitment to the environment extends far beyond marine conservation; it is intricately woven into the very fabric of Surfing Canggu’s daily operations. We understand that luxury travel and ecological responsibility are not mutually exclusive but, in fact, enhance each other, offering a more profound and conscious experience. We meticulously manage our waste streams, implementing comprehensive recycling programs for plastics, glass, and paper, and championing composting initiatives for organic waste. Our goal is to significantly reduce landfill contributions, actively diverting over 70% of our waste from landfills annually, working towards a circular economy model within our facilities.
Energy and water conservation are paramount considerations in all our endeavors. Our facilities incorporate energy-efficient LED lighting throughout, and we are progressively integrating solar power solutions to lessen our reliance on conventional grids. Water, a precious resource on an island, is conserved through rainwater harvesting systems that collect approximately 50,000 liters of water during the wet season, alongside the installation of low-flow fixtures in all our accommodations. Guests are actively encouraged to participate in these vital efforts, for instance, by utilizing refillable water bottles provided, thereby eliminating the need for single-use plastics during their stay. This mindful approach ensures that every aspect of your experience aligns with our dedication to planetary well-being.
We continuously seek innovative ways to minimize our footprint, from utilizing eco-friendly cleaning products that are biodegradable and non-toxic to exploring sustainable transportation options for guest transfers and excursions. Our aim is to offer an immersive, luxurious experience that leaves a positive impact, not just on our guests, but on the environment they come to cherish. This means sourcing amenities from brands that share our values, preferring biodegradable options, and consistently evaluating new technologies and practices that further our sustainable mission, ensuring every choice reflects our deep-seated environmental respect.
Embracing Bali’s cultural soul and responsible tourism
The philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, which guides our environmental and community commitments, is deeply rooted in Balinese Hinduism and fosters harmony between people, nature, and the spiritual world. This profound spiritual foundation informs every decision, ensuring that our operations not only protect the physical landscape but also honor the island’s invaluable cultural heritage. We believe that true luxury in Bali involves a respectful immersion into its traditions, understanding that the island’s
