SA's Blue Flag beaches ready for visitors!

As South Africa enters summer, blue flags will once again be raised at many of the country’s most popular coastal destinations. 

The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa's Mike Denison explains that the programme evaluates beaches on water quality, safety, environmental education, and sustainable management practices. 

"The Blue Flag is often regarded as the most recognised eco label.

"Fifty-one countries participate in the Blue Flag programme. Beaches, tourism boards and marinas can apply against a set of criteria.

"The criteria talk to safety in and around the beach environment. It talks to more sustainable management year-on-year within the beach, marine or boat tourism space.

"Particularly with beaches, it looks at water quality, around the safety of swimming at a specific beach, and then the other criteria, which talk to environmental education. There's a focus on making our beaches accessible and enabling more inclusive experiences across the diversity of South Africans or people generally around the world."

Blue Flag recognition assures visitors and encourages municipalities to maintain high environmental standards year-round, he says.

To listen to Denison in conversation with CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit, click below: