We all have that friend who loves the ocean, pays attention to what things are made of, and would rather have one really good piece than a closet full of things she'll barely wear.
Shopping for her can be surprisingly tricky. There are plenty of products marketed as sustainable, but figuring out which ones are actually made with thoughtful materials, designed to last, or produced by brands doing things a little differently takes some digging.
So we've done some of it for you.
From recycled fabrics and natural rubber wetsuits to everyday essentials from independent surf brands, these are some of our favorite gifts for the ocean lover in your life this year.
For Long Days in the Sun
For the friend who's always in the water, a good surf hat can make a world of difference.
The Sunward Bound Tropical Juju Surf Hat is made in small batches in Australia, with UPF 50+ sun protection and an adjustable fit to help it stay put in the waves.
We love the vintage-inspired print, too. It's practical without looking overly technical, and a great gift for anyone planning a warm-water surf trip.
For Everything After the Surf
There's something particularly nice about giving someone a piece you know they'll wear constantly.
The Atmosea Après Surf Panel Pants are made from 100% cotton terry towelling, with a relaxed wide-leg fit and a very '70s-inspired color palette.
They're essentially a pair of pants that feel like your favorite beach towel, which is exactly what you want after a long morning in the water.
The Stocking Stuffer She'll Actually Use
If she spends any time in the water, good zinc sunscreen is something she'll always need. SurfDurt's Tinted SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen is made with non-nano zinc oxide and comes in a reusable bamboo container that's small enough to throw into a surf bag.
A genuinely useful little gift that won't end up forgotten in a drawer.
A Little Something for Her Next Surf
Sometimes the best gifts are the simplest. Salt Gypsy's Premium Eco Surf Wax is handcrafted in Australia using biodegradable, petroleum-free ingredients.
It's designed for all water temperatures and makes a great stocking stuffer for the surfer in your life. Pair it with a new surf suit or a few other beach essentials for a thoughtful little gift bundle.
The Everyday Favorite
Some gifts are just easy to get right. Our Spring Tides Trucker Hat is one of them.
Made with recycled cotton, recycled polyester, and a recycled polyethylene visor, it's a little more thoughtfully made than your average trucker hat. We spent a lot of time getting the vintage-inspired shape and details just right.
It's the kind of hat she'll wear everywhere, from post-surf coffee runs to road trips and beach walks.
Swimwear She'll Keep for Years
Finding swimwear that's both functional and flattering isn't always easy, especially when you're looking for recycled materials.
The Inner Relm Poolside One Piece is made from double-lined recycled fabric, with adjustable straps and a longer torso fit.
It's vintage-inspired, practical in the water, and the kind of swimsuit she'll want to keep around for more than one summer.
The Cozy Layer
For chilly mornings and everything after the surf, we love the Atmosea Surf Coach Front Zip Vest.
Made with a 100% recycled fleece exterior and cotton lining, it's warm without being bulky and easy to layer over just about anything.
A great gift for the friend who loves being outside year-round, even when the weather isn't exactly cooperating.
The Splurge Gift
If you're looking for something really special, the Atmosea Bella Springsuit is one of our favorites.
Made with FSC-certified Yulex natural rubber rather than conventional petroleum-based neoprene, it's a thoughtful alternative for surfers who want to be more mindful about the materials in their wetsuits.
It's also just a beautifully designed suit, with lightweight 2mm construction and a comfortable fit for paddling. A gift she'll hopefully get years of use out of. Just make sure you know her size first!
When in Doubt, Let Her Choose
Not sure about her size, style, or what she already has in her surf bag? A Spring Tides gift card takes the guesswork out of gifting. Let her pick something she'll actually love, whether that's a new surf suit, her next favorite bikini, or something cozy for after the waves.
Shop Spring Tides Gift Cards
A More Thoughtful Way to Gift
We don't think sustainable gifting has to mean buying something that looks or feels particularly sustainable. Sometimes it's as simple as choosing a piece made from recycled materials, supporting an independent brand, or finding something someone will genuinely love and use for years.
That's a big part of why we started Spring Tides in the first place: to make discovering thoughtful, well-designed surfwear a little easier.
Whether you're shopping for a lifelong surfer, a beach lover, or someone who's happiest with salty hair and sand in her shoes, we hope this guide helps you find something she'll love.
Explore more gifts and accessories at Spring Tides.
Gift Guide for Ocean Lovers
We all have that friend who loves the ocean, pays attention to what things are made of, and would rather have one really good piece than a closet full of things she'll barely wear.
Shopping for her can be surprisingly tricky. There are plenty of products marketed as sustainable, but figuring out which ones are actually made with thoughtful materials, designed to last, or produced by brands doing things a little differently takes some digging.
So we've done some of it for you.
From recycled fabrics and natural rubber wetsuits to everyday essentials from independent surf brands, these are some of our favorite gifts for the ocean lover in your life this year.
For Long Days in the Sun
For the friend who's always in the water, a good surf hat can make a world of difference.
The Sunward Bound Tropical Juju Surf Hat is made in small batches in Australia, with UPF 50+ sun protection and an adjustable fit to help it stay put in the waves.
We love the vintage-inspired print, too. It's practical without looking overly technical, and a great gift for anyone planning a warm-water surf trip.
For Everything After the Surf
There's something particularly nice about giving someone a piece you know they'll wear constantly.
The Atmosea Après Surf Panel Pants are made from 100% cotton terry towelling, with a relaxed wide-leg fit and a very '70s-inspired color palette.
They're essentially a pair of pants that feel like your favorite beach towel, which is exactly what you want after a long morning in the water.
The Stocking Stuffer She'll Actually Use
If she spends any time in the water, good zinc sunscreen is something she'll always need. SurfDurt's Tinted SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen is made with non-nano zinc oxide and comes in a reusable bamboo container that's small enough to throw into a surf bag.
A genuinely useful little gift that won't end up forgotten in a drawer.
A Little Something for Her Next Surf
Sometimes the best gifts are the simplest. Salt Gypsy's Premium Eco Surf Wax is handcrafted in Australia using biodegradable, petroleum-free ingredients.
It's designed for all water temperatures and makes a great stocking stuffer for the surfer in your life. Pair it with a new surf suit or a few other beach essentials for a thoughtful little gift bundle.
The Everyday Favorite
Some gifts are just easy to get right. Our Spring Tides Trucker Hat is one of them.
Made with recycled cotton, recycled polyester, and a recycled polyethylene visor, it's a little more thoughtfully made than your average trucker hat. We spent a lot of time getting the vintage-inspired shape and details just right.
It's the kind of hat she'll wear everywhere, from post-surf coffee runs to road trips and beach walks.
Swimwear She'll Keep for Years
Finding swimwear that's both functional and flattering isn't always easy, especially when you're looking for recycled materials.
The Inner Relm Poolside One Piece is made from double-lined recycled fabric, with adjustable straps and a longer torso fit.
It's vintage-inspired, practical in the water, and the kind of swimsuit she'll want to keep around for more than one summer.
The Cozy Layer
For chilly mornings and everything after the surf, we love the Atmosea Surf Coach Front Zip Vest.
Made with a 100% recycled fleece exterior and cotton lining, it's warm without being bulky and easy to layer over just about anything.
A great gift for the friend who loves being outside year-round, even when the weather isn't exactly cooperating.
The Splurge Gift
If you're looking for something really special, the Atmosea Bella Springsuit is one of our favorites.
Made with FSC-certified Yulex natural rubber rather than conventional petroleum-based neoprene, it's a thoughtful alternative for surfers who want to be more mindful about the materials in their wetsuits.
It's also just a beautifully designed suit, with lightweight 2mm construction and a comfortable fit for paddling. A gift she'll hopefully get years of use out of. Just make sure you know her size first!
When in Doubt, Let Her Choose
Not sure about her size, style, or what she already has in her surf bag? A Spring Tides gift card takes the guesswork out of gifting. Let her pick something she'll actually love, whether that's a new surf suit, her next favorite bikini, or something cozy for after the waves.
Shop Spring Tides Gift Cards
A More Thoughtful Way to Gift
We don't think sustainable gifting has to mean buying something that looks or feels particularly sustainable. Sometimes it's as simple as choosing a piece made from recycled materials, supporting an independent brand, or finding something someone will genuinely love and use for years.
That's a big part of why we started Spring Tides in the first place: to make discovering thoughtful, well-designed surfwear a little easier.
Whether you're shopping for a lifelong surfer, a beach lover, or someone who's happiest with salty hair and sand in her shoes, we hope this guide helps you find something she'll love.
Explore more gifts and accessories at Spring Tides.