How Tamarindo Is Celebrating International Surf Day

Head to Costa Rica in June, and you’re in for something special. The waves are pumping, the sunsets light up the sky, and Tamarindo’s surf scene is alive with energy. But there’s one day that brings it all together: International Surf Day.

Iguana Surf Camp & Surf Shop has been part of the Tamarindo surf community for over 20 years. For us, this day isn’t just about celebrating surfing (something we already do every day!) but about celebrating what surfing does for people. It brings us together, teaches us resilience, and reminds us that we’re all connected by something bigger. That’s the spirit we want to share.

So, why don’t you come be part of it?

SURFING IN TAMARINDO

Tamarindo lives and breathes surf. On any given morning, you’ll see school kids paddling out at dawn, families learning together, and old-school locals carving it up like they’ve been doing it for decades (because they have).

“Surfing gave me my first job, my first community, and my best friends,” says Nunez, one of our senior instructors. “It’s more than a sport here…it really is a way of life.”

At Iguana Surf Camp, we see this every day. Surfing builds confidence,, teaches patience, and connects you to the ocean (and yourself). And when local kids get the chance to grow up in this world, it gives them more than just skills. It gives them purpose.

That’s why International Surf Day means so much to us here in Costa Rica’s premier surf town.

WHAT IS INTERNATIONAL SURF DAY, ANYWAY?

International Surf Day was started by the Surfrider Foundation over 20 years ago to celebrate everything that makes surf culture great. It’s held every June 21 and has grown into a global movement, connecting surfers, ocean lovers, and conservationists around the world.

In many ways, it feels as if the day was tailor-made to be celebrated in Costa Rica. In June, surfing conditions are pretty epic; the waves are rolling in, the water’s warm, and the whole town is tuned into the rhythm of the sea.

Tamarindo is an incredible place to join in on the fun!

TAMARINDO’S OCEAN LEGACY

Surfing and ocean protection go hand in hand in Tamarindo. The same waves we ride every day are part of a vibrant, living ecosystem that locals have worked hard to protect through generations. Just beyond our beach lies Las Baulas National Marine Park, a sanctuary for nesting leatherback turtles and countless other species that rely on these coastal waters to be pristine and unspoiled.

“We always tell students, ‘Don’t just surf the waves, respect where they come from,’” says Luis, another of our instructors who also volunteers with local turtle conservation groups.

That spirit of care runs deep in and around Tamarindo, too. You’ll find regular beach cleanups, refill stations at surf shops, and a big push toward reef-safe sunscreen and plastic-free habits. It’s all part of a wider culture of conservation that makes surfing here feel even more meaningful.

> Check out all the amazing tours we run to some of Costa Rica’s most magical destinations.

THIS YEAR, WE’RE TURNING WAVES INTO COMMUNITY ACTION

At Iguana Surf Camp & Surf Shop, we’ve always believed in the power of surf to change lives. And this year, we’re putting that belief into action with a special community collaboration we’re super proud of.

From June 14–20, we’ll be teaming up with CEPIA, a local nonprofit that empowers children and families in Guanacaste, and running a week-long Instagram campaign. For every like, follow, share, and comment on our International Surfing Day post during that week, we’ll donate a surf lesson to a local child.

And on June 21, we’re hosting a special surf session for those kids—led by our very own Iguana instructors. You might meet Mocha, who started here as a teen and now leads beginner classes with the patience of a saint, or Viola, who lights up every lesson with her contagious energy. These are the special people turning first rides into lifelong memories.

CEPIA (Culture, Education, and Psychology for Infants and Adolescents) is a Costa Rican nonprofit that’s been active since 2005. Based right here in Guanacaste, they work to improve the lives of children and families through education, mental health support, food security, and youth programs—including some incredible surf-related initiatives.

We’ve seen their impact firsthand in Tamarindo, and we’re stoked to support their mission. Their team is full of passionate locals doing life-changing work, and we couldn’t think of a better partner for this campaign.

HOW YOU CAN LEND A HAND (WITH A LIKE!)

Want to be part of the action? Here’s how to get involved:

Follow us on Instagram and interact with our International Surfing Day campaign post from June 14–20
Share the love with your surf crew (remember, every click counts)
Come surf with us in Tamarindo and help us keep the momentum going
Support CEPIA directly if you want to go the extra mile

You don’t have to paddle out to make a difference. Just showing up, supporting the cause, or spreading the word can help a local kid ride their very first wave.

CELEBRATE SURF, CELEBRATE COMMUNITY

Costa Rica in June has one seriously good vibe. It’s the perfect time to get out there and learn how to surf or perfect what you already know. And if you want to do more while you’re here, check out some of the town’s other efforts, from beach cleanups and local contests to wellness classes and ocean education workshops. Tamarindo’s surf community has heart, and we’re proud to be part of it.

So come ride with us. Come connect. Come be part of something good.

One wave, one love. Happy International Surf Day!