WESSA Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards 2024/2025

WESSA BLUE FLAG AND GREEN COAST AWARDS 2024/2025

Celebrating South Africa’s leaders in sustainable coastal management.

Flying the flag high this season: V&A Waterfront’s Executive Manager: Marine & Industrial Andre Blaine with WESSA’s CEO Cindy-Lee Cloete, Head of Programmes & Projects, Kelly Alcock, Senior Sustainability Programme Manager, Tevya Lotriet and Joshio Fischer, V&A’s Marina & Canal Manager.

As South Africa welcomes summer, WESSA and V&A Waterfront proudly hosted the Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards today, celebrating the country's outstanding beaches, marinas, and sustainable tourism operators. In total, 48 beaches, four marinas, and seven tourism boats were recognised for meeting the highest environmental management, education, safety, accessibility, and sustainability standards, earning them the esteemed eco-labels. In addition, seven sites were awarded Green Coast status, these being community-driven coastal conservation areas of high biodiversity and eco-tourism value in South Africa that appeal to people seeking adventure and nature-based experiences.

This year's awards also acknowledge the efforts of 18 pilot beaches, highlighting their progress in striving for Blue Flag status. By doing so, WESSA aims to promote a strong connection between communities and the protection of South Africa's coastal environments, ensuring the well-being of both people and our coastal ecosystems.

A highlight of this year’s awards includes the recognition of Pennington Beach from Umdoni Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, which has been newly awarded Blue Flag status. Additionally, three new pilot beaches have been introduced: Paternoster Beach from Saldanha Municipality on the West Coast, and Kidd’s Beach and Gonubie Beach from Buffalo City Municipality in the Eastern Cape. Another exciting addition is a new tourism boat, Shark Bait, a research vessel operated by White Shark Diving Company, which has also earned Blue Flag recognition for its outstanding contribution to marine conservation.

Tourism boat operator, Marine Dynamics, Slashfin.

Managed by WESSA in South Africa and internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), the Blue Flag Programme sets rigorous environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria for coastal destinations worldwide. Since 2001, WESSA has led in promoting sustainable tourism and coastal management through the Blue Flag and Green Coast Programmes in South Africa.

Earning a Blue Flag is no small feat, with 33 stringent criteria to meet, ranging from water quality to environmental education, accessibility, and visitor facilities. The award highlights the dedication of local municipalities, tourism operators, marinas, and volunteers in educating, advocating, and acting for the beauty and biodiversity of the country's coastlines.

V&A Marine team keep the Waterfront marine waters clear of debris.

“Today, we celebrate beaches, marinas, and tourism boat operators that have met the stringent requirements for Blue Flag and Green Coast status, as well as the passionate people behind these efforts,” said WESSA CEO Cindy-Lee Cloete.

“WESSA’s Blue Flag and Green Coast Programmes work collaboratively with these partners to address critical environmental issues affecting coastal environmental management, sustainable coastal tourism, and the well-being of people who enjoy these eco-systems. These initiatives, inspire responsible tourism and showcase the vital role communities play in caring for our natural spaces.” She said.

V&A Executive Manager: Marine & Industrial, Andre Blaine; Two Oceans Aquarium Turtle Rehab and Social Media Coordinator, Martine Viljoen ; Marine & Canal Manager, Joshio Fisher; Portfolio Manager: Marine & Industrial, Jolene George; Senior Manager: Custodial Services, Julian Kruger; Marine & Canal Contoller, Louis Souls; Marine Manager, Lindani Mchunu; and WESSA’s CEO, Cindy-Lee Cloete.

This year's ceremony celebrates great achievements and aims to encourage greater collaboration and innovation. For example, the V&A Waterfront is making efforts to reduce marine litter by installing stormwater outlet litter traps.

The Green Coast Awards applaud local conservation heroes and municipalities for good environmental management and the promotion of nature-based tourism. Through the programme, communities have mobilised to collaborate with local authorities to monitor mangroves and estuary health, host environmental learning, participate in Bio-blitz, coastal clean-ups, and campaigns for the protection of vital ecosystems. Their efforts reflect the power of collective action in coastal conservation, which in turn is promoting local eco-tourism and job creation opportunities.

Blaauwberg Nature Reserve is a Green Coast site promoting nature-based tourism, environmental education, and the protection of coastal habitats.

As part of WESSA’s advocacy efforts, these Awards also provide a platform for citizen science monitoring projects (such as water quality testing and biodiversity surveys), local community activism, and environmental education, empowering individuals to take action in protecting South Africa’s coastlines.

“Well done to the Waterfront team. Achieving Blue Flag status strengthens our proposition of being the most sustainable marina in South Africa and adds to our many green accolades over the years. This award highlights our consistent focus and efforts in ensuring the cleanliness of our marine and the safety and protection of our sea and bird life. This is an incredible achievement for us as a team and we’re inspired to continue towards our journey of putting the environment first.” said V&A Waterfront’s Executive Manager: Marine & Industrial Andre Blaine.

For more information on Blue Flag and Green Coast sites, visit WESSA’s website and discover the beaches, marinas, and tourism boats that are leading the way in environmental excellence.