Beaches and marinas that have attained the Blue Flag designation are operations who have shown clearly that they meet a strict set of practices that will foster tourism while respecting and caring for the environment.
The Blue Flag is awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education, an international organization dedicated to sound environmental practices. The award to a site is given after specific objectives are met based on these guiding standards: education, information, monitoring, management, and safety.
The Blue Flag initiative began in Europe and became an international movement in 2001 when South Africa adopted the initiative for use at our own beaches. The initiative has now been adopted by countries all over the world as shown in this map from the Blue Flag website. The red arrow points to SA Blue Flag beaches.
The Blue Flag Channel on You Tube recently featured this clip on Durban.
Interested in visiting our lovely South African Blue Flag beaches? Here’s the list by region:
Blue Flag beaches in KwaZulu-Natal
Richards Bay: Alkantstrand
South Coast: Lucien Beach, Marina/San Lameer Beach, Southport, Trafalgar Beach,
Umzumbe (Pumula) Beach
Blue Flag beaches in the Northern Cape
Port Nolloth: McDougalls Bay Beach
Blue Flag beaches in the Eastern Cape
Port Alfred: Boknes Beach, Kelly’s Beach
Kenton-on-Sea: Kariega Beach, Middle Beach
Jeffrey’s Bay: Dolphin Beach
Port Elizabeth: Humewood Beach, Kings Beach
Kleinemonde Beach
Blue Flag Beaches in the Western Cape
Gordon’s Bay: Bikini Beach
Knysna: Brenton-on-Sea, Buffalo Bay
Cape Town: Camps Bay Beach, Clifton 4th Beach, Llandudno, Mnandi Beach, Muizenberg Beach,
Silwerstroom, Strandfontein Beach,
Mossel Bay: De Bakke, Gouritsmond, Hartenbos Beach,Santos Beach
Hermanus: Grotto Beach, Hawston Beach, Kleinmond Beach
Plettenberg Bay: Keurboomstrand, Natures’ Valley, Robberg 5th
George: Kleinbrak Beach,Wilderness Beach
Still Bay: Lappiesbaai Beach, Preekstoel
Vredendal, West Coast: Strandfontein Beach
Breede River: Witsand Beach