South Africa has officially unveiled its 2025/26 Blue Flag and Green Coast sites, marking another milestone in coastal conservation, sustainable tourism, and community stewardship. Announced by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), the event recognised a total of 97 eco-certifications, including 50 full Blue Flag beaches, 20 pilot sites, 5 marinas, 7 tourism boats, and 15 Green Coast sites.
Honouring Coastal Excellence
The ceremony, co-hosted by Ndlambe Municipality at the Royal St. Andrews Hotel in Port Alfred, celebrated municipalities and partners committed to maintaining international standards of water quality, safety, environmental education, and accessibility.
WESSA CEO Cindy-Lee Cloete highlighted that the programmes are more than eco-labels — they are “a promise of care, collaboration, and clean, well-managed coastlines that belong to everyone.”
Marking 25 years of Blue Flag in South Africa and 20 years of partnership with Ndlambe Municipality, the event also paid tribute to WESSA’s 99-year legacy of “people caring for the Earth.”
Blue Flag Success Across the Coast
Since its launch in 2001, the Blue Flag Programme has grown into one of South Africa’s most trusted symbols of environmental excellence. For the 2025/26 season, 70 beaches earned certification — 50 with full status and 20 as pilot sites — supported by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).
Western Cape Blue Flag Beaches (2025/26)
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City of Cape Town: Bikini Beach, Camps Bay, Clifton 4th, Fish Hoek, Llandudno, Melkbosstrand, Muizenberg, Silwerstroomstrand.
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Overstrand Municipality: Grotto Beach, Kleinmond Beach.
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Cape Agulhas Municipality: Struisbaai.
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Hessequa Municipality: Lappiesbaai, Gouritzmond, Stilbaai-Wes, Witsand, Jongensfontein, Preekstoel.
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Mossel Bay Municipality: De Bakke, Glentana, Hartenbos, Kleinbrak.
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Bitou Municipality: Robberg 5, The Dunes, The Waves, Singing Kettle, Nature’s Valley, Lookout Beach.
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George Municipality: Herold’s Bay, Victoria Bay, Wilderness.
Leading achievers such as Kelly’s Beach (Eastern Cape) and Lappiesbaai (Western Cape) were recognised for maintaining Blue Flag status for 20 consecutive years, reflecting decades of environmental stewardship and community commitment.
Five marinas retained full Blue Flag recognition — including the Royal Alfred Marina, Thesen Harbour Town, Thesen Islands Homeowners Marina, V&A Waterfront, and Club Mykonos Marina — while seven tourism boats earned eco-label certification for responsible marine tourism.
Seven tourism boats from Marine Dynamics, White Shark Diving Company, and Offshore Adventures were honoured for environmental excellence and safety standards.
Green Coast Growth and Community Action
The Green Coast Programme, WESSA’s home-grown initiative, recognises natural, less-developed coastal areas that uphold ecological integrity and promote nature-based tourism. This year, the network more than doubled, now including 15 sites across South Africa’s coastline.
Dr. Deborah Robertson-Andersson of the Kei Mouth and Morgan Bay sites praised community collaboration, saying, “When people stop complaining and start acting, everything changes. That is what true coastal stewardship looks like.”
Turning Awareness into Action
WESSA also spotlighted its “Stop the Strangle” campaign, addressing marine pollution and discarded fishing gear — a major threat to marine life. Conservationist Dickie Chivell urged collective responsibility: “Every cleanup, every fishing line bin, every act of awareness matters.”
Ryan Peter of the DFFE echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that coastal management is a shared responsibility linking government, municipalities, and communities.
A Collective Footprint for the Future
As the event concluded, Ndlambe Mayor Khululwa Ncamiso reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment: “We are proud to uphold Blue Flag standards year after year.”
WESSA’s Mike Denison summed up the spirit of the day: “As individuals, we may not change the world, but together our small actions become a powerful movement for caring for our Earth.”
