Explore 48 Blue Flag beaches in South Africa this summer

Blue Flag beaches for the 2024/2025 season

Each year, the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) releases a list of South African beaches that qualify for Blue Flag status.

In total for the 2024 year, 48 beach locations featured on the list.

According to WESSA, the iconic Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary eco-labels awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators. The programme uses 33 criteria across four categories to determine whether a beach meets the requirements for recognition.

These categories are:

• Environmental Education and Awareness,
• Water Quality,
• Environmental Management and
• Safety Services. 

In addition to the beaches, four marinas and seven tourism boats were also recognised and were awarded the eco-label.

Seven sites were awarded Green Coast status – these being community-driven coastal conservation areas of high biodiversity and eco-tourism value that appeal to people seeking adventure and nature-based experiences.

This year’s awards also acknowledged the efforts of 18 pilot beaches, highlighting their progress in striving for Blue Flag status.

The 48 beaches: Where are they?

Western Cape (31 beaches):

• Silwerstroomstrand
• Clifton 4th
• Camps Bay
• Llandudno
• Muizenberg
• Bikini
• Melkbosstrand
• Fish Hoek
• Kleinmond
• Grotto
• Struisbaai
• Witsand
• Preekstoel
• Lappiesbaai
• Jongensfontein
• Gouritzmond
• Stilbaai Wes
• De Bakke
• Hartenbos
• Klein Brak
• Santos
• Glentana
• Wilderness
• Herold’s Bay
• Victoria Bay
• Robberg 5
• The Waves
• Nature’s Valley
• Lookout
• The Dunes
• Singing Kettle

Eastern Cape (8 beaches)

• Dolphin
• Cape St Francis
• Kings
• Humewood
• Hobie
• Kariega
• Kelly’s
• Middle Kent on Sea

KwaZulu-Natal (9 beaches)

• Marina Beach
• Trafalgar
• Southport
• Umzumbe
• Ramsgate
• Hibberdene
• Pennington
• Blythdale
• Thompson Bay