Just in time for sandcastle-building season – 50 of SA’s beaches have just got a big thumbs up!
South Africa (03 November 2025) – The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) has just announced the official Blue Flag beaches for the 2025/26 season. Fifty beaches across the country now meet the highest standards for clean water, safety, and care for the environment
The Blue Flag is one of the world’s most respected eco-labels. Run internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and locally by WESSA, it’s awarded to beaches that meet strict criteria for excellent water quality and lifeguard presence to good facilities and environmental education.
Regular water testing is done throughout the season by accredited laboratories. If results fall below standard, the flag comes down until the beach meets the mark again. It’s a practical way to keep coastal management accountable and transparent.
In South Africa, it’s been going consistently for 24 years, setting the golden standard for our coastline’s beaches.
“Behind every flag is a team of people who work tirelessly to meet all the global standard criteria, in the face of shifting tides, both literal and figurative,” shares WESSA CEO, Cindy-Lee Cloete.
Full Status Blue Flag Beaches
Across 3000 km of South Africa’s coastline, these are the beaches that have met all 33 of the international Blue Flag standards and earned full certification for the 2025/26 season.
City of Cape Town (CoCT): Bikini Beach, Camps Bay Beach, Clifton 4th, Fish Hoek Beach, Llandudno Beach, Melkbosstrand, Muizenberg Beach, Silwerstroomstrand
Overstrand Municipality: Grotto Beach, Kleinmond Beach
Cape Agulhas Municipality: Struisbaai Beach
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Hessequa Municipality (ES): Lappiesbaai Beach, Gouritzmond Beach, Stilbaai-Wes Beach, Witsand Beach, Jongensfontein Beach, Preekstoel Beach
Mossel Bay Municipality: De Bakke Beach, Glentana Beach, Hartenbos Beach, Kleinbrak Beach
Bitou Municipality: Robberg V, The Dunes, The Waves, Singing Kettle, Nature’s Valley, Lookout Beach
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM): Hobie Beach, Humewood Beach, Kings Beach
Kouga Municipality: Dolphin Main Beach, Cape St Francis Bay Beach
George Municipality (ES): Herold’s Bay Beach, Victoria Bay Beach, Wilderness Beach
Ndlambe Municipality: Kariega Beach, Kelly’s Beach, Middle Beach (Kenton-on-Sea)
KwaDukuza Municipality: Blythedale Beach, Salt Rock Main Beach, Thompson Bay Beach, Willard Beach
Ray Nkonyeni Municipality: Hibberdene Beach, Marina Beach, Ramsgate Beach, Southport Beach, Trafalgar Beach, Umzumbe Beach, New St Michaels Beach
Umdoni Municipality: Pennington Beach
Pilot Blue Flag Beaches
Pilot beaches are part of the Blue Flag programme and are working toward full status. They’ve already met many of the international standards but are completing an evaluation phase to qualify for permanent certification next season.
Overstrand Municipality: Castle Beach, Hawston Beach, Onrus Beach
Mossel Bay Municipality: Santos Beach, Suiderkruis, Tweekuilen
George Municipality (ES): Leentjiesklip
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM): Bluewater Bay, Wells Estate
Ray Nkonyeni Municipality: Port Edward Beach, Mtwentweni Beach
Umdoni Municipality: Rocky Bay, Preston, Umthwalume, Scottburgh
Buffalo City Metro: Kidds Beach, Gonubie
Mandeni Municipality: Tugela Mouth Beach, Dokodweni Beach
Port Nolloth Municipality: McDougalls Bay
Sources: Supplied
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