“You can share the stoke… but you don’t always need to share the location”.
Don’t get us wrong. Surfing is for everyone regardless of age, gender or background.
At its core it’s open, freeing and welcoming to anyone willing to give it a go. But like anything with deep roots, it also comes with a culture.
A culture shaped over time by the people, the places and yes… even the waves themselves.
One part of that culture is knowing that some surf spots are best left hidden, which isn’t really about keeping people out.
Instead, it’s about protecting what makes those places special and respecting the locals who surfed them long before Google Maps and geotags ever existed.
If you’re just starting out or curious about surf culture, understanding this code is part of the experience.
Here’s why we don’t reveal or name secret surf spots.
5 reasons secret spots should stay secret
5. The journey is part of the reward
Funnily enough, some of the best surf stories don’t come from the wave itself. They come from the journey it took to find it.
In a world where we have every answer at our fingertips, surfing is a pastime where you can get by on your own intuition.
Ask around. Scan maps. Walk a deserted beach track.
There’s something special in the effort. It makes the place feel earned. And with that comes care.
You feel more connected. More grateful. More like an actual surfer.
Needless to say, we’ve built a brand around doing just that… and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
4. Respecting local communities and histories
Surf spots might seem like a haphazard collection of rocks, sand or reef. But to some, they’re much more than that.
Maybe it’s a place where someone learned to surf as a kid. Or where one family has paddled out together for generations. Or where they’ve been visiting for decades.
These aren’t just breaks. They’re part of people’s daily lives. Their memories. Even their identity.
To share a secret spot publicly without permission can feel careless. Like something personal is being taken without being asked.
That’s why we keep some places quiet. Purely out of respect, not secrecy.
3. Preserving the environment
Some secret spots are rugged, pristine and tucked away. That’s part of their charm!
But with that comes fragility and purity. A few extra cars. A handful of careless visitors. And the balance starts to shift.
Litter builds up. Paths widen. Plants disappear. The vibe changes.
Not every break can handle attention. In fact, most of these breaks are in places with sub-standard infrastructure in the first place.
This means that once the damage is done, it’s often permanent.
We’ve seen it time and time again and at The Surf Tribe, we refuse to be part of the problem.
2. The double edged sword of social media
We’re the first to say that we know how an innocent photo can be an epic reminder of an equally epic session.
However, the problem lies in photos of hush-hush surf spots that are posted with location tags. Landmarks. Identifiers that give away their coordinates.
A headland. A sign. A reef. A familiar landscape in the background.
Before long, word spreads.
And with that comes crowds. Often with no sense of the culture or care behind that spot.
Naturally, we know that surf spots are going to blow up sooner rather than later. But why speed it up?
1. Embracing the spirit of surfing
We love getting better at surfing. Progression for us is a side effect of fun, after all. But surfing isn’t only about performance. It’s about feeling and connection.
Surfing has a rhythm that’s quiet. Mellow. Unrushed.
Part of that rhythm is knowing when to hold back. Keeping a spot to yourself isn’t about exclusion. It’s about respect. It’s about consideration.
We’re not closing the door on secret spots for other people. We’re simply protecting something meaningful and a culture that we recognise as being bigger than ourselves.
Final thoughts
If you’re new to surfing or just getting into the culture, here’s the deal: keeping spots secret isn’t about being exclusive. It’s about looking after the places that make surfing what it is.
You find a great wave and have a magic session. We get it! It’s tempting to post photos.
We’ve all been there.
But some things are better kept off the grid. It’s not about rules or being elitist. It’s about respect.
So by all means share the stoke. Just don’t share the location if the spot in question is known to be secret.
