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11 November 2025 Media Release: Nineteen Garden Route Beaches Awarded Blue Flag Status for 2025 Holiday Season – again the most for a region in South Africa

Media Release: Nineteen Garden Route Beaches Awarded Blue Flag Status for 2025 Holiday Season – again the most for a region in South Africa

11 November 2025

Nineteen (19) beaches across the Garden Route coastline have been awarded Blue Flag Status for the upcoming holiday season by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) There are 50 Blue Flag Beaches in the country and 20 Pilot Status beaches.

GRDM Executive Mayor, Marais Kruger said: “The municipalities in our region who received  consistent Blue Flag Status and related awards, reflect their commitment to excellent water quality, safety, security, sound environmental management, and accessibility. Thank you for the local municipalities of Hessequa, Bitou, Mossel Bay and George, for once again helping us collectively secure our top spot on South Africa’s preferred tourism destination map.”

Lappiesbaai in the Hessequa Municipal area has maintained Blue Flag status for 20 consecutive years, while Witsand, also in Hessequa, celebrates its 10th consecutive year of accreditation.

Witsand, also in Hessequa, celebrates its 10th consecutive year of accreditation (Supplied: Hessequa Tourism)

More exciting statistics include the following:

  • Four of the Garden Route beaches were awarded pilot Blue Flag status (South Africa has 20), these include Santos Beach, Suiderkruis, Tweekuilen and Leentjiesklip.
  • Three out of 15 Green Coast sites (15 sites in South Africa), these include Nature’s Valley Beach, Swartvlei Beach and Gwaiing Beach.
  • Two Blue Flag Marinas (5 Blue Flag Marinas in South Africa), these include Thesen Harbour Town Marina and Thesen Island Home Owners’ Marina.
  • Two Sustainable Tourism Boats (7 in total in South Africa), these are from Offshore Adventures (Robberg Express and Oceanic).

Garden Route beaches with successful Blue Flag accreditation include the following:Hessequa (6): Witsand Beach, Preekstoel Beach, Lappiesbaai Beach, Jongensfontein Beach, Gouritsmond Beach and Still Bay West Beach.

Plettenberg Bay (6): Robberg 5, The Waves, Nature’s Valley, Lookout Beach, The Dunes and Singing Kettle Beach.

Mossel Bay (4): De Bakke Beach, Hartenbos Beach, Little Brak Breach and Glentana Beach.

George (3): Herold’s Bay, Victoria Bay and Wilderness.

South Africa has proudly participated in the Blue Flag Programme for 24 years, since 2001.

Feature image caption: Lappiesbaai in the Hessequa Municipal area has maintained Blue Flag status for 20 consecutive years (Supplied: Hessequa Tourism).

ENDS