The iconic Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary eco-labels that are awarded to beaches after a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria are met and maintained under the discerning eye of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), and once again, the Western Cape is dominating the upper tier.
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Blue Flag is voluntary, which shows a very strong commitment to environmental sustainability from those municipalities, marinas and tourism boat operators that are awarded annually. According to WESSA, all properties and companies that apply for the Blue Flag award are assessed by a South African National Jury as well as by the Blue Flag International Jury in Europe.
Blue Flag has been operational in South Africa since 2001 and has municipal, marina and tourism boat partners in 18 coastal municipalities around the country.
There are four key factors that allow for an in-depth analysis: water quality, environmental management, environmental education, and safety. Universal access (including the disabled, elderly and mothers with young children), control of domestic animals (including dog beaches), availability of interpretive signage, effective waste management, water quality samples, beach control visits, and the like all form part of the stringent assessment.
Of the full list in South Africa (51 full-status beaches and 20 pilot beaches), the Western Cape had 33 full-status beaches and five pilot beaches.
Here is the list of Western Cape beaches awarded the Blue Flag for the 2022/23 summer season:
Full Beaches:
- Silwerstroomstrand – City of Cape Town
- Clifton 4th – City of Cape Town
- Camps Bay – City of Cape Town
- Llandudno – City of Cape Town
- Muizenberg – City of Cape Town
- Strandfontein – City of Cape Town
- Mnandi – City of Cape Town
- Bikini – City of Cape Town
- Melkbosstrand – City of Cape Town
- FishHoek – City of Cape Town
- Kleinmond – Overstrand
- Hawston – Overstrand
- Grotto – Overstrand
- Castle beach – Overstrand
- Onrus – Overstrand
- Struisbaai – Cape Agulhas
- Witsand – Hessequa
- Preekstoel – Hessequa
- Lappiesbaai – Hessequa
- Jongensfontein – Hessequa
- Gouritzmond – Hessequa
- Stilbaai Wes – Hessequa
- De Bakke – Mossel Bay
- Hartenbos – Mossel Bay
- Klein Brak – Mossel Bay
- Santos – Mossel Bay
- Glentana – Mossel Bay
- Wilderness – Garden Route District and George Municipality
- Herold’s Bay- George
- The Waves – Keurboomstrand – Bitou
- Nature’s Valley – Bitou
- Lookout – Bitou
- The Dunes – Bitou
- Singing Kettle – Bitou
Pilot status:
- Strandfontein – City of Cape Town
- Mnandi – City of Cape Town
- Victoria Bay – George
- Brenton on Sea – Knysna
- Buffalo Bay- Knysna
Access the full list here: Blue Flag