Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Surfrider’s chapters, student clubs, business leaders, and staff, Surfrider's Ocean Friendly Restaurants and Hotels continue to make waves! Let's celebrate our accomplishments from 2025.
This year, we finally surpassed the 600 mark, with 646 Ocean Friendly Restaurants (OFR) participating from 30 states (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands). We estimate our restaurants serve 42 million single-use plastic-free meals every year.
We welcomed many new Ocean Friendly Hotels (OFH), with 38 Ocean Friendly Hotels from 7 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands participating. Collectively, they save about 1.6 million plastic water bottles and 2.5 million mini plastic toiletry bottles from polluting our communities, waterways, and landfills each year.
Here's some more accomplishments from 2025:
Celebrated 1 Year of Ocean Friendly Hotels
September 10th marked one year since Surfrider launched the OFH Program. Since then, we've grown tremendously and have welcomed bed and breakfasts, luxury resorts, campgrounds, boutique hotels, and more.
Teamed Up with Ocean Friendly Businesses (OFB) to Advance Plastic Reduction Policies
This year, OFB leaders across the country took action on policies to reduce plastic pollution.
Released New Case Studies
The first thing businesses and policy makers ask us regarding plastic reduction in businesses is cost. How will this impact businesses? How much is reducing plastic going to cost? Most of the time, businesses can save money by reducing single-use plastic! Our case studies show this firsthand.
Exhibited at the National Restaurant Association Show
This year, Surfrider exhibited at the National Restaurant Association Show, the largest annual gathering of foodservice professionals in the Western Hemisphere with over 50,000 attendees last year. The goal was to meet businesses and increase the program's awareness.
We talked with hundreds of foodservice professionals and answered questions about sustainable foodware. Notably, foodware labeled as "sustainable" compostables far outweighed styrofoam and other single-use plastic takeout containers being sold. There was even a whole session focused on sustainability during the show. We were able to give a pitch about our programs and connect with other like-minded businesses.
Making Progress Towards Ocean Friendly Communities
The Town of Orleans in Massachusetts and the City of Laguna Beach in California are working towards making their communities more Ocean-Friendly. The Cape and Islands Chapter has been working alongside the town and Care for the Cape and Islands to propose a policy that would require a certain amount of businesses to participate in OFR/OFH, as well as reduce plastic in events, retail, and more. The South OC Chapter, Visit Laguna Beach, and The Ranch at Laguna Beach have been working to sign-up every Laguna Beach hotel and restaurant as an OFR/OFH to become the nation's most "Ocean Friendly Destination." So far, 7 hotels and 64 restaurants have already joined. Visit Laguna Beach and The Ranch at Laguna hosted an amazing event at the Rivian Theater to celebrate!
Similar work has been done in the past. The North OC Chapter worked with the Balboa Peninsula Point Association to become an "Ocean Friendly Neighborhood" last year. As a chapter, they help organize plastic-free events and educational opportunities with hopes to expand this to more neighborhoods.
Celebrated Ocean Friendly Business Month
In October, Surfrider hosted the third annual Ocean Friendly Business Month, where our chapters and clubs came together to celebrate the incredible Ocean Friendly Restaurants and Hotels that are leading the way in reducing single-use plastics and protecting our ocean. All month long, chapters and clubs across the Surfrider Network hosted ocean-friendly inspired events.
Updated our Chapter and Club Program Toolkit
This resource provides an in-depth overview of the OFR and OFH programs as well as tips on how to build and grow a successful program. The previous version was outdated and did not include information about OFH. This is a great resource for training new and experienced volunteers alike on all things ocean-friendly.
Spotlighting Ocean Friendly Businesses All Year Long
Our OFBs range from fine dining restaurants and luxury hotels, to food trucks and bed and breakfasts! They all have one thing in common: plastics aren't on the menu. Read some of our ocean-friendly spotlights throughout the year.
January: 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay in Kauai, HI
February: Great Lakes Brewing Company in Cleveland, OH
March: Lido House Newport Beach in Newport Beach, CA
April: Eco Trayecto in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
May: Surfrider Malibu Hotel in Malibu, California
June: The Plot in Oceanside and Costa Mesa, California
July: Twelve Senses Retreat in Encinitas, California
August: Flying Fish Co. in Portland, OR and UC Santa Barbara Dining Halls in Santa Barbara, CA
September: AINA Farm Stand in Oahu, HI
October: Alaska Troutfitters in Cooper Landing, AK
November: Yodelin Broth in Leavenworth, WA
Stay tuned for 2026 as we continue to grow our Ocean Friendly Restaurants and Hotels Programs, advance more single-use plastic policies, especially "Skip the Stuff" campaigns and the Farewell to Foam Act, and exhibit at more trade shows.
Want to help Surfrider stop plastic pollution at the source? Consider donating today!