The Blue Flag Programme aims at awarding the “Blue Flag” to beaches that meet a range of stringent social, educational and environmental standards. The Blue Flag is a voluntary ‘eco-label’ awarded to over 3 600 beaches and marinas in 46 countries, across Europe and the Caribbean, in South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, New Zealand, Brazil and Canada.
At the City of Cape Town, the Blue Flag programme is led by the Sport, Recreation and Amenities Department, with input and assistance from the Environmental Resource Management Department specifically regarding environmental education.
The Blue Flag Programme is owned and run by the independent, non-profit organisation Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). The programme works towards sustainable development at beaches/marinas via strict criteria dealing with water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, water safety and other services.
Having Blue Flag status indicates that the beaches are clean, have adequate ablution facilities and parking, are environmentally sound, are safe and secure to visit, and adhere to international safety and tourism standards. The accreditation is awarded for one season at a time, and if conditions change at the beach, it can be withdrawn.
Not all beaches in Cape Town have Blue Flag status – but this is not a negative reflection on the beach concerned. The Blue Flag serves merely as a monitoring tool to assist the City in maintaining already-high standards.
Achievements
- For information on the eight Blue Flag beaches within the city of Cape Town, view an e-booklet here [PDF 5 MB].
- For information on the the South African Blue Flag programme, visit www.blueflag.org.za.
- For information on the the international Blue Flag programme, visit www.blueflag.org.
- For information on the City’s Blue Flag Beach environmental education (EE) programme, click here.
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