Blue flag beaches, or some of the best beaches in the world, are naturally no small crowning. Recently, assessments have been made, and judgement passed on all submitted local beaches to decide who earned their blue stripes at the discerning eye of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), and the Western Cape is dominating the upper tier.
“The iconic Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary eco-labels awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators,” according to WESSA.
A national audit is done for beaches as Blue Flag is at its foundations an educational programme designed to inspire municipalities to meet higher environmental and international sustainability standards as Good Things Guy notes.
“In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained,” says WESSA.
“With over 4500 sites in over 45 countries around the world, Blue Flag is actively contributing to the sustainable development goals. Blue Flag also campaigns against disparity, inequality, unemployment, health threats, depletion of natural resources, environmental threats, pollution and general environmental degradation,” they add.
Four key factors that allow for an in-depth analysis include universal access (including the disabled, elderly and mothers with young children), control of domestic animals (including dogs beaches), availability of interpretive signage and effective waste management.
Some international standards refer to ‘critical drivers’ which means that these beaches drive economic growth (tourism for one) of the coastal areas. It also means that there are other leisurely activities surrounding these beaches.
Water quality samples, beach control visits and the like are also part of the judgement.
Of the full list in South Africa (52 full status beaches and 33 pilot beaches) the Western Cape had 36 full status beaches and two pilot beaches.
Here is the list for the beaches during the 2021 and 2022 summers which for 2022 in the Western Cape.
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
- Brenton-on-Sea – Knysna
- Buffalo Bay – Knysna
- Robberg 5 – Bitou
- The Waves – Keurboomstrand – Bitou
- Nature’s Valley – Bitou
- Lookout – Bitou
- The Dunes – Bitou
- Singing Kettle – Bitou
Pilot status:
- Victoria Bay – George
- Herold Bay – George
Access the full list here:
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Picture: @little_capetown