WESSA is closer to its goal of 100 Blue Flag beaches in South Africa with 54 full-status beaches this year; plus there are several that have had 10 consecutive years of Blue Flag status.
South Africa (11 January 2023) – Blue Flag beaches are some of the best beaches in the world, and the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) assess all submitted South African beaches to decide which get the coveted blue flag status.
Primarily, Blue Flag is an educational programme designed to encourage participating municipalities to meet high environmental and international sustainability standards.
Following a national audit of beaches submitted for assessment by each local municipality, WESSA used 33 criteria to determine if each beach meets the level of service excellence required for Blue Flag recognition. Each beach is measured in four categories: Environmental Education and Awareness, Water Quality, Environmental Management, and Safety Services.
The individual criteria allow for an in-depth analysis of a variety of areas of competence, which include:
- Universal access (for the disabled, elderly and mothers with young children)
- Control of domestic animals (such as dogs on beaches)
- Availability of interpretive signage
- Effective waste management
The quality international standards which have been achieved at these beaches are critical drivers, which encourage the economic growth of the coastal areas. Residents and tourists can access a variety of leisure activities at these beaches.
These are the blue flag beaches of the 2022 and 2023 summers. Last year we reported that there were a total of 51 full status beaches and 33 pilot beaches; this year, there are 54 full status beaches and 20 pilot beaches.
This year, Kings Beach in Nelson Mandela Bay has earned an award for having Blue Flag status for 10 consecutive years. De Bakke in Mossel Bay, Western Cape has also received this award this year. Hessequa get top honours though, with all their blue flag beaches having had 10 consecutive years of status.
Full Status
Eastern Cape
- Hamburg – Amathole
- Cape St Francis – Kouga (New)
- Dolphin – Kouga
- Marina Matinique Beach – Marina Martinique (New)
- Kings – Nelson Mandela Bay
- Humewood – Nelson Mandela Bay
- Hobie – Nelson Mandela Bay
- Kariega – Ndlambe
- Kelly’s – Ndlambe
- Middle Kenton on Sea – Ndlambe (New)
KwaZulu-Natal
- Marina – Ray Nkonyeni
- Trafalgar – Ray Nkonyeni
- Southport – Ray Nkonyeni
- Umzumbe – Ray Nkonyeni
- Hibberdene – Ray Nkonyeni
- Ramsgate – Ray Nkonyeni
- Thompson’s Bay – Kwadukuza (New)
- Willard – Kwadukuza (New)
- Blythdale – Kwadukuza (New)
Western Cape
- 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
- Bikini – City of Cape Town
- Melkbosstrand – City of Cape Town
- Fish Hoek – 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
- Herold’s Bay – George (New)
- Wilderness – George
- 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
Eastern Cape
- Blue Water Bay – Nelson Mandela Bay
- Wells Estate – Nelson Mandela Bay
- Birah – Ngqushwa
- Hamburg – Ngqushwa
- Mgwalana – Ngqushwa
- Mpekweni – Ngqushwa
- Mzamba – Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (Formally Mbizana)
- Mtentu – Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
- Tenza – Mbhashe
- Xhora Mouth – Mbhashe
KwaZulu-Natal
- Pennington – Umdoni
- Rocky Bay – Umdoni
- Preston – Umdoni
- Umthwalume – Umdoni
- St Michaels – Ray Nkonyeni
Western Cape
- Strandfontein – City of Cape Town
- Mnandi – City of Cape Town
- Victoria Bay – George
- Brenton on Sea – Knysna
- Buffalo Bay – Knysna