South Africa’s coastline just got a little bluer. On 31 October 2025 WESSA (the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa) announced the official 2025/26 Blue Flag and Green Coast sites, celebrating 25 years of the Blue Flag programme in South Africa. This season features 50 full-status Blue Flag beaches and 20 pilot beaches (plus marinas, boats and Green Coast sites) recognised for outstanding water quality, safety, environmental management and education.
Seeing the Blue Flag flying at a beach means that municipal authorities and local partners are meeting strict international criteria for water quality and safety, providing environmental education, protecting coastal ecosystems and ensuring accessible services. If you’re planning a coastal trip this summer, Blue Flag beaches are the safest bets for clean water, lifeguards, facilities and clear environmental information.
Below you’ll find the full 2025/26 list (full-status beaches and pilot beaches) grouped by municipality. Use the list to plan a family beach day, eco-friendly holiday or photo tour of South Africa’s best managed shorelines.
Listed by municipality.
- City of Cape Town (Western Cape):
- Bikini
- Camps Bay
- Clifton 4th
- Fish Hoek
- Llandudno
- Melkbosstrand
- Muizenberg
- Silwerstroomstrand
- Overstrand (Western Cape):
- Grotto
- Kleinmond
- Cape Agulhas (Western Cape):
- Struisbaai
- Hessequa (Western Cape):
- Lappiesbaai
- Gouritzmond
- Stilbaai-Wes
- Witsand
- Jongensfontein
- Preekstoel
- Mossel Bay (Western Cape):
- De Bakke
- Glentana
- Hartenbos
- Kleinbrak
- Bitou / Plettenberg Bay area (Western Cape):
- Robberg V
- The Dunes
- The Waves
- Singing Kettle
- Nature’s Valley
- Lookout Beach
- George (Garden Route, Western Cape):
- Herold’s Bay
- Victoria Bay
- Wilderness
- Nelson Mandela Bay (Eastern Cape):
- Hobie
- Humewood
- Kings
- Kouga (Eastern Cape):
- Dolphin Main
- Cape St Francis Bay
- Ndlambe (Eastern Cape):
- Kariega
- Kelly’s Beach
- Middle Beach (Kenton-on-Sea)
- KwaDukuza & North Coast (KwaZulu-Natal):
- Blythedale
- Salt Rock Main
- Thompson Bay
- Willard Beach
- Ray Nkonyeni & South Coast (KwaZulu-Natal):
- Hibberdene
- Marina Beach
- Ramsgate
- Southport
- Trafalgar
- Umzumbe
- New St Michaels
- Umdoni (KwaZulu-Natal):
- Pennington
Pilot sites are working towards full Blue Flag status and already meet many criteria.
- Overstrand (Western Cape):
- Castle Beach
- Hawston
- Onrus
- Mossel Bay (Western Cape):
- Santos
- Suiderkruis
- Tweekuilen
- George (Western Cape):
- Leentjiesklip
- Nelson Mandela Bay (Eastern Cape):
- Bluewater Bay
- Wells Estate
- Ray Nkonyeni (KwaZulu-Natal):
- Port Edward
- Mtwentweni
- Umdoni (KwaZulu-Natal):
- Rocky Bay
- Preston
- Umthwalume
- Scottburgh
- Buffalo City Metro (Eastern Cape):
- Kidds Beach
- Gonubie
- Mandeni (KwaZulu-Natal):
- Tugela Mouth
- Dokodweni
- Port Nolloth (Northern Cape):
- McDougalls Bay
Blue Flag tourism boats 2025/26
Seven South African tourism boats have been awarded Full Blue Flag status for the 2025/26 season. Operated by some of the country’s leading marine ecotourism companies, these vessels embody WESSA’s commitment to environmental education, sustainable management, safety, and responsible tourism practices.
The awarded vessels include:
- Marine Dynamics Shark & Whale Tours (Gansbaai): Slashfin, Dreamcatcher, Whale Whisperer
- White Shark Diving Company (Gansbaai): White Shark, Shark Bait
- Offshore Adventures (Plettenberg Bay): Robberg Express, Oceanic
These boats provide travellers with unforgettable opportunities to experience South Africa’s rich marine life - from whales and dolphins to great white sharks - while upholding the highest environmental and safety standards.
Blue Flag marinas 2025/26
Five South African marinas retained or achieved Full Blue Flag status for 2025/26. These sites meet rigorous international criteria for water quality, environmental management, safety, amenities, and community engagement - offering sustainable, world-class experiences for local and international boaters alike.
The recognised marinas are:
- Royal Alfred Marina (Eastern Cape)
- Thesen Harbour Town Marina (Western Cape)
- Thesen Islands Homeowners Marina (Western Cape)
- V & A Waterfront Marina (Western Cape)
- Club Mykonos Marina (Western Cape)
Each marina exemplifies how South Africa’s boating destinations are embracing eco-friendly infrastructure and community-driven stewardship to maintain clean, safe, and accessible waterfronts.
Growing the Green Coast Network
Alongside the Blue Flag programme, WESSA continues to expand its home-grown Green Coast network — a unique South African initiative that celebrates less-developed coastal areas where biodiversity conservation and nature-based tourism coexist in balance.
The network more than doubled in size this season, with 15 certified Green Coast sites recognised for outstanding environmental stewardship, education, and community participation.
2025/26 Certified Green Coast sites
- City of Cape Town
- Bitou Municipality & Nature’s Valley Trust
- Nature’s Valley
- CapeNature
- Walker Bay
- Knysna Municipality & The Strandloper Project
- Swartvlei Beach
- Mbhashe Local Municipality
- Qatywa Beach
- Lubanzi Beach
- Cwebe Beach
- Great Kei Local Municipality & Chrysalis Training
- Chintsa Beach
- Morgan Bay
- Kei Mouth
- Ray Nkonyeni Municipality & Mpenjati Conservancy, Leisure Bay Conservancy
- Leisure Bay Conservancy
- Trafalgar Marine Reserve and Surrounds
- Kouga Municipality & The JBay Surf Alliance
- J Bay Supertubes
- J Bay Paradise Beach
- George Local Municipality
- Gwaing Beach
Note: This list is taken from WESSA’s official announcement (31 Oct 2025). For the most up-to-date status (mid-season changes, closures or additions) check WESSA’s site and local municipal notices before travel.
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