51 of the cleanest and safest beaches in South Africa in 2022

The Wildlife & Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) has announced that 51 Blue Flags will be flown at South Africa’s beaches this year, joined by four marinas and two sustainable tourism boats.

The group has published its official list of Blue Flag beaches for the 2022/23 period,

Nineteen Pilot sites received recognition for their efforts in working towards the minimum requirements for Blue Flag Status.

The Blue Flag programme is focused on the conservation of marine and coastal habitats and is designed to raise environmental education and awareness and increase sound environmental practices among tourists, local populations and beach management.

To achieve Blue Flag status, as many as 33 different criteria spanning four aspects of coastal management must be met and maintained: water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, and safety and services.

Most of the Blue Flag beaches are in the Western Cape, with 33 beaches listed in 2022. This is followed by the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal, with nine beaches each.

Notably, none of the beaches in eThekwini (Durban) has been granted Blue Flag status this year following the severe flood in the region, which led to sewage and other waste flooding into the sea.

On top of the full-status beaches, 20 beaches will also be pilot sites for Blue Flags this year.

The iconic Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary eco-labels awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators.

In South Africa, Blue Flag has been operational since 2001 and has proud municipal, marina and tourism boat partners in 18 coastal municipalities around the country.

Blue Flag is voluntary, which shows a very strong commitment to environmental sustainability from those municipalities, marinas and tour boat operators that are awarded annually. All properties and companies that apply for the Blue Flag award are assessed by a South African National Jury as well as by the Blue Flag International Jury in Europe.

These are the Blue Flag beaches for 2022/23:

Western Cape

KZN

Eastern Cape

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