“The ocean is the most important
place on planet earth.”
— Sir David Attenborough
Yet for most people, it's out of sight and out of mind. A world beneath the surface is quietly collapsing — and almost nobody knows.
Surfshack exists to change that.
What's happening beneath the surface
90%
of large predatory fish stocks have been decimated by a century of overfishing
0.4%
of New Zealand's waters are marine reserves — far below the recommended 30%
9M+
Kina are obliterating kelp forests on Little Barrier Island alone — and spreading
Without their natural predators — snapper and crayfish now functionally extinct in the Hauraki Gulf — Kina are turning New Zealand's kelp forests into barren underwater deserts. These forests sequester carbon, support fisheries, and sustain life. When they go, so does everything that depends on them.
“Out of sight, out of mind” has led to catastrophic underreporting of marine deforestation in New Zealand, Australia, Japan, California, Norway, and 37 other countries.
One stay. Two healings.
We're in this for the health of the ocean —
and the health of people.
95% of Kiwis say the ocean is part of their identity. Yet it's dying in plain sight. Surfshack connects the places that need healing most with the people who need healing most.
Ocean health
Every Surfshack stay funds active Kina removal and kelp restoration within a 20km radius. We're targeting the 30% marine protection standard — the global benchmark for a functioning ocean ecosystem.
- ✓$10/night from every booking goes to ocean restoration
- ✓Shacks built using KinaKrete — cement made from Kina shells
- ✓Ocean plastic cladding collected from the local beach
- ✓Partner with Experiencing Marine Reserves — 77,000+ Kiwis engaged since 2001
Human health
Being by the ocean lowers cortisol, improves sleep, reduces anxiety, and rebuilds cognitive clarity. Doctors are beginning to prescribe time in nature. Surfshack is where that prescription gets filled.
- ✓Coastal retreats designed for deep restoration — not just a holiday
- ✓Surfing, freediving, snorkelling and guided ocean experiences
- ✓Partner with ClearHead for mental wellness programs
- ✓Midweek stays for frontline workers, farmers, and heroes in recovery
Design & materials
Built from the ocean.
Every material in a Surfshack tells a story of circular restoration. The problems that threaten the ocean become the building blocks of the solution.
Highly Commended
2025 Concrete Construction Awards · Concrete NZ
KinaKrete
by KiwiKrete
KinaKrete replaces traditional concrete with invasive kina shells and aquaculture waste — turning two environmental crises into a single sustainable building material. Used as the embossed feature wall plaster inside every Surfshack, evoking the kelp forests it helps restore.
“A promising innovation that turns two environmental problems — kina overpopulation and aquaculture waste — into a unique, sustainable concrete solution. Strong research foundation and entrepreneurial spirit.”
— Concrete NZ judges, 2025
Ocean Plastic Cladding
External walls · Collected from local beaches
Faux Namu Cleanstone
by Critical Design NZ
The exterior cladding of each Surfshack is made from ocean plastic and hard-to-recycle soft plastics collected from the local beach before construction begins. Critical Design NZ manufactures Cleanstone panels in Auckland from 100% NZ plastic waste — durable, fully waterproof, and endlessly recyclable.
Before a single Surfshack is built, we collaborate with the local beach community to restore the site — collecting ocean plastic that literally becomes the walls of the building.
How it works
Stay near the ocean
Book a Surfshack in one of 23 regions — each strategically placed near the most delicate marine ecosystems and the best surf.
Fund the restoration
$10 from every night goes directly to Kina removal and kelp restoration within 20km of where you stayed. You'll see before/after updates from your location.
Come back to a healthier reef
Guests are notified of planned community dives and ocean events near their location. One stay becomes a relationship with the place.
2 regions in Nelson / Tasman
Abel Tasman Retreat
Marahau, Abel Tasman
Wake up to golden sands and turquoise water
incl. $10 ocean restoration
Golden Bay Beach House
Tākaka, Golden Bay
The end of the road, the start of everything
incl. $10 ocean restoration
By 2030
Our targets for the UN Ocean Decade
100
Surfshacks globally
$3.6M
channelled into restoration
50
marine areas actively maintained
115k
guest visits creating awareness
Revenue can be dollar-matched by public or private funding bodies — turning every dollar guests spend into two dollars for the ocean.
The ecosystem
Shack Supporters
Every part of the guest journey — from planning a trip to surfing better to leaving healthier — is supported by organisations that share our belief in the ocean.
The world's most loved surf map — inside every Surfshack.
Live surf cams from your shack's rooftop — powered by local intelligence.
Pro-grade boards and foils — demoed right at the break.
21 days to surf better — starting before you arrive.
New Zealand's first world-class surf park — our first urban Surfshack host.
Fast internet at the end of every gravel road — so you can work from the best breaks on earth.
Extending the Surfshack network deeper into the wilderness.
The booking engine and channel manager powering Surfshack at scale.
The ocean heals. So does the right support.
Pre-built SurfShack Safari routes — just hit go.
The culture of the wave, on your walls.
Premium eco-amenities that fund the restoration of the very breaks you're surfing.
Ocean plastic collected from local beaches — turned into the walls of the shack.
Performance coaching
You will surf better here.
Surfshack partners with Dr. Oliver Farley FPT— a PhD in surf coaching and performance training — to offer on-location coaching at select properties. Whether you're learning to read a break for the first time or working on your tube game, Oliver and his team bring the structure of elite surf training to your stay.
Packages from a single session through to a week-long structured progression program. Available at properties marked Coach available.
What's included
- ✓ Video analysis in and out of the water
- ✓ Personalised wave selection and positioning coaching
- ✓ Surf fitness programming tailored to your level
- ✓ Break-specific strategy for the local reef or point
“Surfing and other water-based activities act as a form of blue therapy — improving mental health, lowering cortisol, and boosting emotional well-being.”
— Surfshack wellness research brief
Which regions haven't you surfed yet?
Every break you haven't surfed is a reason to go back.
23 surf regions. One extraordinary coastline. Tell us your hit list and we'll sort the mission — accommodation, surf spots, and the right season.