South Africa has recognised 62 Blue Flag awards and 19 Green Coast sites for the 2026/2027 season, highlighting the country's efforts to maintain well-managed beaches and protect its coastal environment.
The announcement was made by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) at Grotto Beach in Hermanus on 08 October 2026, marking 25 years of the Blue Flag programme in South Africa.
Blue Flag beaches in South Africa
The Blue Flag programme recognises beaches that meet criteria covering water quality, environmental management, safety, accessibility and environmental education. For travellers, the award provides a useful indication of a beach's management standards, although swimming conditions and water quality can change during the season.
The 2026/2027 awards comprise 50 full-status beaches, 20 pilot beach sites, seven tourism boat operators and five marinas. The 20 pilot beaches participate separately from the full-status beach awards.
Three beaches have maintained their Blue Flag status throughout the programme's 25 years in South Africa: Grotto Beach in Hermanus, Humewood Beach in Gqeberha and Marina Beach on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast.
Green Coast sites focus on conservation
The Green Coast programme complements Blue Flag by recognising coastal destinations that prioritise biodiversity, environmental education, community involvement and responsible tourism.
Four sites were recognised for five years in the programme: Nature's Valley and Kei Mouth, both of which also received Recognition of Excellence, as well as Chintsa Beach and Morgan Bay.
What travellers should know
Blue Flag and Green Coast recognition can help visitors identify destinations that place an emphasis on responsible coastal management. However, travellers should still check local swimming advisories, water quality information, lifeguard availability and access restrictions before visiting.
WESSA aims to increase the number of Blue Flag beaches in South Africa to 100 by 2030. The programme's continued expansion will depend on investment and the ability of participating destinations to meet the required standards.
Below is the list of recognised Blue Flag beaches and Green Coast sites for the 2026/2027 season.
| Beach | Status |
|---|---|
| City of Cape Town | |
| Bikini Beach | Full |
| Camps Bay Beach | Full |
| Clifton 4th | Full |
| Fish Hoek Beach | Full |
| Llandudno Beach | Full |
| Melkbosstrand | Full |
| Muizenberg Beach | Full |
| Silverstroomstrand | Full |
| Chapman’s Peak Beach | Pilot |
| Big Bay | Pilot |
| Strand | Pilot |
| Strandfontein | Pilot |
| Overstrand Municipality | |
| Grotto Beach | Full |
| Kleinmond Beach | Full |
| Castle Beach | Full |
| Hawston Beach | Full |
| Onrus Beach | Full |
| Hessequa Municipality | |
| Lappiesbaai | Full |
| Gouritzmond | Full |
| Stilbaai-Wes | Full |
| Witsand | Full |
| Jongensfontein | Full |
| Preekstoel | Full |
| George Municipality | |
| Herold’s Bay | Full |
| Victoria Bay | Full |
| Wilderness | Full |
| Leentjiesklip | Pilot |
| Bitou Municipality | |
| The Dunes | Full |
| The Waves | Full |
| Singing Kettle | Full |
| Nature’s Valley | Full |
| Lookout Beach | Full |
| Robberg V | Pilot |
| Kouga Municipality | |
| Dolphin Main Beach | Full |
| Cape St Francis Bay Beach | Full |
| Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality | |
| Hobie Beach | Full |
| Humewood Beach | Full |
| Kings Beach | Full |
| Bluewater Bay | Pilot |
| Wells Estate | Pilot |
| Ndlambe Municipality | |
| Kariega Beach | Full |
| Kelly’s Beach | Full |
| Middle Beach, Kenton-on-Sea | Full |
| Ray Nkonyeni Municipality | |
| Hibberdene Beach | Full |
| Marina Beach | Full |
| Southport Beach | Full |
| Trafalgar Beach | Full |
| Umzumbe Beach | Full |
| St Michaels Beach | Full |
| Port Edward Beach | Pilot |
| Mtwentweni Beach | Pilot |
| Lucien Beach | Pilot |
| Ramsgate | Pilot |
| Umdoni Municipality | |
| Pennington | Full |
| Bazley | Full |
| Rocky Bay | Full |
| Preston | Full |
| Umthwalume | Full |
| Scottburgh | Pilot |
| KwaDukuza Municipality | |
| Salt Rock Main Beach | Full |
| Thompson Bay Beach | Full |
| Willard Beach | Full |
| ClubMed – Tinley Manor | Full |
| Tinley Manor Main Beach | Pilot |
| Mandeni Municipality (pilot only) | |
| Tugela Mouth Beach | Pilot |
| Dokodweni Beach | Pilot |
| Buffalo City Metro (pilot only) | |
| Kidds Beach | Pilot |
| Gonubie Beach | Pilot |
| Keysers Beach | Pilot |
| Port Nolloth (pilot only) | |
| McDougalls Bay | Pilot |
| Marina |
|---|
| Royal Alfred Marina |
| Thesen Harbour Town Marina |
| Thesen Island Homeowners Marina |
| V&A Waterfront |
| Club Mykonos Marina |
| Operator | Blue Flag vessels |
|---|---|
| Marine Dynamics Shark and Whale Tours | Slashfin, Dreamcatcher, Whale Whisperer |
| White Shark Diving Company | White Shark, Shark Bait |
| Offshore Adventures: Robberg Express | Oceanic |
| Authority / area | Green Coast site |
|---|---|
| City of Cape Town | Blaauwberg Nature Reserve |
| Nature’s Valley Trust / Bitou Municipality | Nature’s Valley |
| CapeNature | Walker Bay |
| Knysna | Swartvlei Beach |
| Mbhashe Local Municipality | Qatywa Beach |
| Mbhashe Local Municipality | Lubanzi Beach |
| Mbhashe Local Municipality | Cwebe Beach |
| Great Kei Local Municipality | Chintsa Beach |
| Great Kei Local Municipality | Morgan Bay |
| Great Kei Local Municipality | Kei Mouth |
| Buffalo City Metro Municipality | Nahoon Estuary to Reef |
| Ray Nkonyeni Municipality | Leisure Bay Conservancy |
| Ray Nkonyeni Municipality | Trafalgar Marine Reserve and Surrounds |
| Ray Nkonyeni Municipality | Southbroom Conservancy |
| Kouga Municipality | J Bay Supertubes |
| Kouga Municipality | J Bay Paradise Beach |
| George Local Municipality | Gwaing Beach |
| Mossel Bay | Kanon Beach |
| Port Nolloth | Happy Valley |
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