Sustainability — Canggu Surfing’s Environmental & Community Commitments

Sustainability & Community Impact

At Canggu Surfing, we believe that luxury travel and profound respect for our environment and community are inextricably linked. Our home, the island of Bali and the wider Indonesian archipelago, is a place of incredible natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. We consider ourselves custodians of this paradise and are deeply committed to ensuring our operations have a positive and lasting impact. This commitment is not an afterthought; it is a core pillar of our business philosophy, guided by the principles of the Balinese concept of Tri Hita Karana—harmony with God, among people, and with the environment.

Environmental Commitments

We actively work to minimize our ecological footprint and contribute to the preservation of Indonesia’s precious marine ecosystems.

  • Carbon Offsetting: We partner with a verified Indonesian reforestation project, recognized by the Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan (KLHK), to calculate and offset 100% of the carbon emissions from our clients’ ground transportation and our company’s operational activities. We also offer clients the option to offset their international air travel.
  • Marine Conservation Partnerships: We donate 1% of our annual revenue to local marine conservation NGOs, including the Coral Triangle Center in Sanur and WWF Indonesia. This funding supports coral reef restoration, marine protected area management, and anti-plastic pollution campaigns.
  • Zero Single-Use Plastic Policy: We enforce a strict ban on single-use plastics across all our operations. Our vehicles are stocked with reusable glass water bottles, and we mandate that all our partner villas provide filtered water dispensers and use non-plastic alternatives for amenities.
  • Reef-Safe Sunscreen: We provide all clients with complimentary, locally-produced, reef-safe sunscreen to prevent harmful chemicals from damaging Bali’s delicate coral ecosystems.

Community Empowerment

Our business is built on the strength of our local community. We are dedicated to creating sustainable livelihoods and preserving the unique culture of Bali.

  • Local Employment: We are proud that over 90% of our team, from senior management to our expert surf guides, are Indonesian nationals, with a majority hired from local Balinese communities. We invest heavily in their training and professional development, providing certifications from bodies like the ISA and IATA.
  • Supporting Local Enterprises: We prioritize sourcing from local businesses. Our welcome baskets feature goods from small-scale Balinese producers, our private chefs source ingredients from local organic farms, and we connect clients with local artisans for authentic cultural experiences, ensuring the economic benefits of tourism are distributed within the community.
  • Community Project Support: We work directly with the Banjar (local village council) of Canggu and Pererenan on community-led projects. This includes funding and participating in regular beach clean-ups, supporting waste management infrastructure, and contributing to the maintenance of local temples and cultural sites.
  • Cultural Preservation: We design our itineraries to be respectful of local customs and traditions. We provide clients with detailed cultural etiquette guides and facilitate authentic, non-intrusive experiences that celebrate and preserve Balinese heritage, rather than exploiting it.

Our journey towards a more sustainable future is ongoing. We continuously review and improve our practices, holding ourselves accountable for the promises we make to our clients, our community, and our planet. Learn more about our vetting process on our Our Methodology page.

Continue exploring Canggu Surfing:
Our Canggu Surfing Service ·
Meet Our Team ·
Editorial Standards ·
Methodology ·
Sustainability ·
Safety & Compliance


Nurturing the Balinese community: Beyond the waves


The salty breeze carries the distant rhythm of gamelan, a reminder that beyond the perfect swells of Echo Beach, Canggu thrives on a delicate balance of nature and culture. It is this intricate tapestry, woven from ancient traditions and pristine landscapes, that Canggu Surfing is dedicated to preserving and enriching. Our commitment to sustainability extends deeply into the heart of the Balinese community, recognizing that true luxury travel fosters a symbiotic relationship with its host culture. We believe in empowering local residents, ensuring that the economic benefits of tourism create lasting positive change and preserve the island’s unique identity for generations to come.


A cornerstone of our community commitment is direct local employment and equitable compensation. We are immensely proud that over 90% of our permanent staff are proud Balinese residents, many of whom have been with us for years, ensuring stable employment and continuous skill development. From our expert surf instructors who share generations of ocean knowledge to our hospitality team members who embody the warmth of Balinese welcome, we invest in their professional growth through ongoing training programs. This approach not only provides fulfilling career paths but also ensures that the authentic spirit of Bali is woven into every guest interaction, offering an unparalleled and genuine luxury experience.


Beyond direct employment, Canggu Surfing actively cultivates a robust network of local partnerships, channeling economic activity directly into the hands of Balinese entrepreneurs and artisans. Each year, we dedicate a significant portion of our operational budget—over IDR 1 billion (approximately USD 65,000)—to sourcing provisions, services, and handcrafted goods exclusively from Balinese suppliers. This includes everything from the fresh, organic produce that graces our tables and the traditional fabrics adorning our spaces, to local transport services and maintenance teams. By prioritizing local businesses, we strengthen the regional economy, reduce our carbon footprint associated with imported goods, and offer our guests an authentic taste of Balinese craftsmanship and culinary excellence. This dedication helps to sustain local traditions and livelihoods, from the intricate artistry of a silversmith in Celuk to the rich flavors of a family-run coffee plantation in Kintamani.

Pioneering responsible resource management in Canggu


In a destination as pristine and beloved as Bali, responsible resource management is not merely an option, but a profound responsibility. Canggu Surfing actively pioneers and implements advanced environmental practices designed to minimize our ecological footprint, ensuring the island’s natural beauty remains vibrant for future explorers. Our approach is holistic, addressing critical areas such as waste management, water conservation, and energy efficiency with innovative solutions that integrate seamlessly into our luxury offerings.


Waste management is a significant challenge in rapidly developing tourist destinations, and we tackle it head-on with a comprehensive strategy centered on reduction, reuse, and recycling. We have eliminated single-use plastics across our operations, providing guests with reusable water bottles and refill stations. Through rigorous waste segregation and partnerships with local recycling initiatives, we’ve reduced our non-organic waste sent to landfill by an average of 70% each year since 2019. Organic waste is composted on-site or sent to local farms, enriching the soil and completing a vital circular economy. Our commitment extends to thoughtful procurement, prioritizing suppliers who utilize minimal and sustainable packaging, reinforcing our dedication to a cleaner, greener Bali.


Water, a precious resource on any island, is managed with utmost care. Our facilities incorporate smart water-saving technologies, including low-flow fixtures, efficient irrigation systems for our gardens, and a state-of-the-art greywater recycling system that reuses treated water for non-potable purposes. We also actively engage in rainwater harvesting during Bali’s wet season, collecting and filtering thousands of liters to supplement our water supply. These initiatives significantly reduce our reliance on the island’s freshwater reserves, contributing to the long-term ecological balance of the region. Similarly, our energy consumption is meticulously monitored and optimized; we utilize energy-efficient LED lighting throughout our properties, invest in solar heating for water, and procure appliances with high energy star ratings. We continually explore opportunities to integrate renewable energy sources, aligning with Indonesia’s broader sustainable tourism goals and contributing to a more resilient future for destinations like Canggu. For more insights into national efforts, you can explore the Indonesia.Travel’s Sustainable Tourism page.

The ripple effect: Inspiring mindful travel


True luxury travel, at its core, is transformative. At Canggu Surfing, we believe this transformation includes fostering a deeper understanding of responsible tourism and inspiring our guests to become active participants in our sustainability journey. Our commitment extends beyond our operational boundaries; we strive to educate and empower our visitors, encouraging them to leave a positive footprint during their stay and carry these mindful practices forward into their everyday lives.


From the moment guests arrive, they are gently introduced to the principles of responsible travel in Bali. Our welcome briefings include essential information on local customs, cultural etiquette, and environmental best practices, such as reef-safe sunscreen use and respectful interaction with marine life. We provide curated guides to sustainable local businesses and restaurants, encouraging guests to support enterprises that share our values. This educational approach is designed not to restrict, but to enrich the travel experience, allowing visitors to connect more authentically with the island and its people while minimizing their impact.


We offer unique opportunities for guests to engage directly with our community and environmental initiatives. Opportunities range from participating in our monthly beach clean-ups alongside local volunteers to joining cultural workshops that support Balinese artisans and traditional practices. These experiences offer more than just a glimpse into local life; they provide hands-on engagement with the very efforts that preserve Bali’s charm. Through these immersive programs, guests gain a deeper appreciation for the delicate balance of the island, fostering a sense of shared stewardship. We believe that by inspiring conscious choices and active participation, we create a powerful ripple effect, transforming individual journeys into collective contributions towards a more sustainable and respectful global tourism landscape.

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