WESSA are closer to their goal of 100 Blue Flag beaches in South Africa with 51 full-status beaches and 33 pilot beaches; these are all the beaches.
South Africa (06 January 2022) – 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.
“In the last 20 years, the Blue Flag South Africa programme has not only coordinated the collection of thousands of water quality samples, carried out hundreds of independent beach control visits and environmental education activities, but has also formed extremely strong relationships with around 20 local municipalities around the country. We are excited about the future of Blue Flag in South Africa as well as achieving our vision of awarding 100 Blue Flag sites by 2030.” – WESSA
These are the blue flag beaches of the 2021 and 2022 summers. Last year we reported that there were a total of 48 full status beaches and 19 pilot beaches; this year, there are 51 full status beaches and 33 pilot beaches.
Full Status
Eastern Cape
- Hamburg – Amathole
- Kings – Nelson Mandela Bay
- Humewood – Nelson Mandela Bay
- Hobie – Nelson Mandela Bay
- Kariega – Ndlambe
- Kelly’s – Ndlambe
KwaZulu-Natal
- Marina – Ray Nkonyeni
- Trafalgar – Ray Nkonyeni
- Southport – Ray Nkonyeni
- Umzumbe – Ray Nkonyeni
- Hibberdene – Ray Nkonyeni
- Ramsgate – Ray Nkonyeni
- Ushaka – Ethekwini
- Durban North Beach – Ethekwini
- Point – Ethekwini
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
- 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
Eastern Cape
- Birah – Amathole
- Cape St Francis – Kouga
- Dolphin – Kouga
- Wells Estate – Nelson Mandela Bay
- Blue Water Bay – Nelson Mandela Bay
- Middle Kenton on Sea – Ndlambe
- Mzamba – Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (Formally Mbizana)
- Mtentu – Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
- Tenza – Mbhashe
- Xhora Mouth – Mbhashe
KwaZulu-Natal
- Blythedale – Kwadukuza
- Salt Rock – Kwadukuza
- Willard – Kwadukuza
- Tinley Manor – Kwadukuza
- Zinkwazi Main – Kwadukuza
- Thompson – Kwadukuza
- Dokodweni Lagoon – Mandeni
- Tugela Mouth – Mandeni
- Mbizimbelwe – Mandeni
- Pennington – Umdoni
- Rocky Bay – Umdoni
- South – Ethekwini
- Addington – Ethekwini
- Amanzimtoti – Ethekwini
- Umgababa – Ethekwini
- uMhalanga Main – Ethekwini
- uMdloti Tidal – Ethekwini
- Westbrook – Ethekwini
- Bronze – Ethekwini
- Brighton – Ethekwini
- Ansteys- Ethekwini
Western Cape
- Victoria Bay – George
- Herold Bay – George
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