Full List of SA’s Blue Flag Beaches and Green Coast Sites for Summer!

South Africa’s Blue Flag beaches and Green Coast sites for the new season have been announced!

 

South Africa (12 October 2026) – Sandcastle season is fast approaching, and these 50 South African beaches have officially earned full Blue Flag status for the 2026/27 season!

The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) recently announced this year’s Blue Flag and Green Coast recipients. The awards recognise coastal destinations doing their bit to keep our beaches clean, safe and environmentally protected.

Along with the 50 fully accredited Blue Flag beaches, another 20 are participating in the pilot programme, while five marinas and seven tourism boats have also received Blue Flag recognition. Adding to that, 19 coastal sites have also earned WESSA Green Coast status.

South Africa’s Blue Flag programme celebrates its 25th birthday this year! Ours was the first country outside Europe to introduce the international environmental award it has since become an important part of how our coastline is managed and protected.

But what does a Blue Flag actually mean for us, the sandcastle builders?

The Blue Flag is one of the world’s most respected eco-labels. Run internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education and locally by WESSA, it is awarded to beaches that meet strict criteria covering water quality, environmental management, safety, accessibility and environmental education.

This includes regular water testing, qualified lifeguards, appropriate facilities and clear safety information during the official Blue Flag season.

Once a site has earned its blue flag it must continue meeting the required standards throughout its accredited season to retain its status.

Green Coast recognition, on the other hand recognises coastal areas where conservation, responsible tourism, environmental education and community involvement are helping to protect natural ecosystems.

This year’s announcement took place at Grotto Beach in Hermanus, which, along with Humewood Beach and Marina Beach, was recognised for an incredible 25 consecutive years of Blue Flag status.

Llandudno Beach also celebrated 15 years, while Fish Hoek Beach, Muizenberg Beach, Melkbosstrand and The Dunes were recognised for 10 years.

Hessequa Municipality received a special mention for achieving full Blue Flag status across all six of its designated swimming beaches for the 2026/27 season.

There was also some encouraging progress on the accessibility front! New inclusive coastal information signs have been introduced at Grotto East Beach. These feature Braille and accompanying digital guides offer audio, subtitles and educational information in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa. The idea is to make coastal education more accessible to everyone, with plans to extend this approach to Blue Flag and Green Coast sites across the country.

WESSA now has set its sights on achieving the ambitious goal of 100 Blue Flag beaches by 2030.

For now, here’s where South Africans can look forward to seeing those blue flags flying this summer!

Full Status Blue Flag Beaches for 2026/27

These 50 beaches have earned full Blue Flag accreditation for the new season.

City of Cape Town: Bikini Beach, Camps Bay Beach, Clifton 4th, Fish Hoek Beach, Llandudno Beach, Melkbosstrand, Muizenberg Beach, Silverstroomstrand

Overstrand Municipality: Grotto Beach, Kleinmond Beach, Castle Beach, Hawston Beach, Onrus Beach

Hessequa Municipality: Lappiesbaai, Gouritzmond, Stilbaai-Wes, Witsand, Jongensfontein, Preekstoel

George Municipality: Herold’s Bay, Victoria Bay, Wilderness

Bitou Municipality: The Dunes, The Waves, Singing Kettle, Nature’s Valley, Lookout Beach

Kouga Municipality: Dolphin Main Beach, Cape St Francis Bay Beach

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality: Hobie Beach, Humewood Beach, Kings Beach

Ndlambe Municipality: Kariega Beach, Kelly’s Beach, Middle Beach (Kenton-on-Sea)

Ray Nkonyeni Municipality: Hibberdene Beach, Marina Beach, Southport Beach, Trafalgar Beach, Umzumbe Beach, St Michaels Beach

Umdoni Municipality: Pennington, Bazley, Rocky Bay, Preston, Umthwalume

KwaDukuza Municipality: Salt Rock Main Beach, Thompson Bay Beach, Willard Beach, ClubMed – Tinley Manor

Pilot Blue Flag Beaches for 2026/27

These 20 beaches are participating in the Blue Flag pilot programme, which helps coastal sites work towards meeting the requirements for full accreditation.

City of Cape Town: Chapman’s Peak Beach, Big Bay, Strand, Strandfontein

George Municipality: Leentjiesklip

Bitou Municipality: Robberg V

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality: Bluewater Bay, Wells Estate

Ray Nkonyeni Municipality: Port Edward Beach, Mtwentweni Beach, Lucien Beach, Ramsgate

Umdoni Municipality: Scottburgh

KwaDukuza Municipality: Tinley Manor Main Beach

Mandeni Municipality: Tugela Mouth Beach, Dokodweni Beach

Buffalo City Metro: Kidds Beach, Gonubie Beach, Keysers Beach

Port Nolloth: McDougalls Bay

Blue Flag Marinas for 2026/27

Five South African marinas have also received Blue Flag recognition!

Royal Alfred Marina, Thesen Harbour Town Marina, Thesen Island Homeowners Marina, V&A Waterfront and Club Mykonos Marina.

WESSA Green Coast Sites for 2026

Beyond our popular swimming beaches, 19 coastal sites have been recognised through WESSA’s Green Coast programme, celebrated for their commitment to protecting natural coastal environments, encouraging responsible tourism and getting communities involved in conservation.

City of Cape Town: Blaauwberg Nature Reserve

Nature’s Valley Trust / Bitou Municipality: Nature’s Valley

CapeNature: Walker Bay

Knysna: Swartvlei Beach

Mbhashe Local Municipality: Qatywa Beach, Lubanzi Beach, Cwebe Beach

Great Kei Local Municipality: Chintsa Beach, Morgan Bay, Kei Mouth

Buffalo City Metro Municipality: Nahoon Estuary to Reef

Ray Nkonyeni Municipality: Leisure Bay Conservancy, Trafalgar Marine Reserve and Surrounds, Southbroom Conservancy

Kouga Municipality: J Bay Supertubes, J Bay Paradise Beach

George Local Municipality: Gwaing Beach

Mossel Bay: Kanon Beach

Port Nolloth: Happy Valley

Nature’s Valley and Kei Mouth received additional Recognition of Excellence awards this year, while both were also celebrated alongside Chintsa Beach and Morgan Bay for completing five years in the Green Coast programme.

Remember to follow safety notices, respect protected areas and take litter home to help keep our blue flag beaches clean and beautiful!

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Sources: Linked above.

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