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Blue Flag

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

08 June 2025 Media Release: World Ocean Day 2025: Protecting the Garden Route District’s Coastline

Media Release: World Ocean Day 2025: Protecting the Garden Route District’s Coastline

8 June 2025

World Ocean Day, celebrated annually on 8 June, is a global event focused on promoting ocean conservation and awareness. In 2025, the theme is “Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us”. It is a day for humanity to celebrate and support the life and the livelihood that the ocean sustains, and puts the spotlight on biodiversity and the interconnectivity between the ocean and its ecosystems.

This year’s celebration is also the second year of a multi-year action theme: “Catalyzing Action for Our Ocean & Climate”. We face some of the greatest threats ever to our blue planet and all its inhabitants: the climate and biodiversity crises. It is all too clear that we need a healthy ocean for a stable climate, and we need significantly stronger local action from government authorities, corporate leaders and the public.

“For the Garden Route District, which includes amongst others local municipalities of Hessequa, Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, and Bitou, this day is especially meaningful. Our region covers over 300km of coastline, the district is home to rich marine ecosystems, vital fisheries, tourism hotspots, and culturally significant estuaries”, said GRDM Executive Mayor, Andrew Stroebel.

”Our exquisite coastline supports local economies and livelihoods, but it also faces increasing threats. Climate change, coastal erosion, pollution, and overuse of marine resources are intensifying. The GRDM has therefore responded by updating its Garden Route District Coastal Management Programme and Climate Change Adaptation Plans to include these emerging and increasingly severe challenges to guide municipalities in safeguarding the coast and improving community resilience.”

According to Dr Nina Viljoen, GRDM Head: Environmental Management, “the Garden Route district, being a coastal region, is particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts like sea-level rise and its effects on coastal infrastructure and the local economy”.

“The theme is therefore highly relevant to the district’s coastal environment, and highlights the ocean’s vital role and our duty to manage its resources sustainably. Citizens, municipalities, NGOs, and businesses must work together to conserve our ocean.”

The efforts within the district to conserve and protect our ocean includes the establishment of the Stilbaai, Goukamma, Robberg and Tsitsikamma Marine Protection Areas (MPAs). These MPA’s, along with the UNESCO Garden Route and Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserves, contribute to the protection of the area’s rich marine life and natural beauty.

The Garden Route District Municipality is also celebrating the World Ocean Day, and the World Environmental Month, through its Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) Climate Change and Environmental Management Indaba, which will take place on 27 June 2025 at the Nelson Mandela University’s George Campus. Among the dynamic knowledge sharing presentations which can be expected, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment will share their latest Southern Oceans Research information and data analysis results, which will reveal the drastic impacts of climate change on our ocean.

Other initiatives within the district which contributes to ensuring sustainable ocean resources and ecosystems, includes the work of the Hessequa Municipality, which is taking action to prioritise estuary protection, and is actively implementing the National Estuarine Management Protocol along with the other responsible stakeholders. The Mossel Bay Municipality also is making a difference to marine conservation and the lives of the youth by working in collaboration with the IOceans Trust and community to promote sustainable practices, and to run youth marine education and conservation projects.

With the serious challenge of sea level rise and storm surges along our coastline, the George Municipality is endeavouring to ameliorate the serious challenge of coastal encroachment and coastal infrastructural and coastal sensitive area damages, due to climate change impacts, by developing Coastal Erosion Guidelines, particularly for high-risk areas such as Wilderness. The Knysna Municipality is also continuing its efforts to protect its world-renowned estuary, which has been re-designated as a global marine “Hope Spot.” The Plettenberg Bay Municipality is collaborating with the Plett Ocean Smart initiative, which is a public/private initiative with key stakeholders from the greater Plett area, with the main objective to establish awareness and safety protocols related to the ocean and other waterways throughout the Bitou area.

As a symbol of excellent water quality, safety, security, sound environmental management, and accessibility, twenty of the pristine beaches within the Garden Route district have been awarded Blue Flag Status, and three were awarded pilot Blue Flag status, in 2024 by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), in partnership with coastal municipalities and private entities. Blue Flag status beaches are classified as important bird and biodiversity Areas (IBA) by Birdlife South Africa.

These efforts all highlight the value of key organisational, stakeholder and community involvement. Public participation, sustainable resource use, and inclusive access to the coastline are central to the GRDM’s strategy. Initiatives also promote economic opportunities in coastal stewardship, especially for youth and disadvantaged groups.

Call to Action

World Oceans Day is not just about celebration—it’s about action. It is a day for humanity to celebrate and support the life and the livelihood that the ocean sustains and puts the spotlight on biodiversity and the interconnectivity between the ocean and its ecosystems.

The 2025 World Ocean Day action theme, ”Wonder, sustaining what sustains us”, reminds us of our deep connection to the sea, and how this awe is a powerful catalyst for action. It’s a call to step up, scale up, and spark real change. Whether through education, beach clean-ups, or responsible tourism, or reducing pollution at the source before it ever reaches the ocean – every effort matters. you’re not just protecting marine life – you’re also building local resilience to climate change.

As the Garden Route district faces the future, it must do so with one clear message: protecting our ocean means protecting our people, our heritage, and our shared prosperity. Let’s act together – for one ocean, one climate, one future.

Feature image: A photo of a whale enjoying the ocean (Garden Route District Municipality)

-END-

28 October 2021 Media Release: Wilderness Beach Awarded Full Blue Flag Status for the 2021/2022 Season

Media Release:  Wilderness Beach Awarded Full Blue Flag Status for the 2021/2022 Season

For Immediate Release
28 October 2021

Yesterday, the Garden Route District Municipality’s (GRDM) Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Change Adaptation Practitioner, Dr Nina Viljoen, together with the Municipal Manager of the George Municipality, Dr Michelle Gratz, and Nosidima Vumindaba, Manager: Parks and Recreation, George Municipality, accepted a full Blue Flag status award for the Wilderness Beach. This prestigious award was presented to the GRDM and George Municipality by the Deputy Director-General: Tourism (Destination Development), Ms Shamilla Chettiar during the National 2021/22 Blue Flag Season Launch at the Grotto beach in Hermanus, South Africa, hosted by the Overstrand Municipality and Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA).

The Wilderness beach is one of 48 locations that achieved Blue Flag Status for the 2021/22 season nationally. A beach that has been awarded full Blue Flag Status means that it meets the highest standards of environmental management. Although the Blue Flag international award focuses on the environmental management of coastlines and coastal waters that aims to promote tourism and development, it is also a symbol for beach quality, as well as in terms of safety, amenities, cleanliness, environmental information and environmental management.

Dr Andrew Baxter, Chief Executive Officer of WESSA, Nosidima Vumindaba, Manager of Parks and Recreation at George Municipality, Dr Michelle Gratz, Municipal Manager of George, Shamilla Chettiar, Deputy Director-General: Tourism (Destination Development) and Dr Nina Viljoen, Head: Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Change Adaptation Practitioner

According to a WESSA spokesperson, “The programme provides an excellent international standard for municipalities and tour operators to strive toward.  Sites flying the Blue Flag are showing their commitment to conserving our fragile marine and coastal environment, raising environmental awareness and increasing sound environmental practices.” A Blue Flag status, according to WESSA, is one of the world’s most acknowledged eco-labels awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators. Therefore, to qualify for the Blue Flag Status, a series of strict criteria must be met and maintained. These include:

  • Compliance with the Blue Flag criteria;
  • Information relating to local eco-systems;
  • Environmental management of beaches;
  • Beach facilities such as parking, access points, cleanliness;
  • Access for the physically disabled;
  • Safety services provided on the beaches; and
  • Water quality, environmental education and information.

The Wilderness Blue Flag beach application to WESSA was put on hold for the previous 2020/21 season due to the devastating impacts, and safety risks, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Viljoen said: “It was a difficult road due to the impacts of the virus, but we are excited that we can boast full Blue Flag status once again this coming season – a symbol of quality and excellence”.

The Wilderness beach is managed as a collaborative effort by the following key stakeholders, who all work together to make the full Blue Flag status possible: the Garden Route District Municipality, the George Local Municipality, and the South African National Parks: Wilderness Section, as well as other stakeholders who all play their part to ensure compliance with the strict Blue Flag standards, such as the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), Salinas Restaurant, George Law Enforcement, amongst others.

Congratulations to all stakeholders involved!

Wilderness Beach launches Pilot Blue Flag

Wilderness Beach today (3 December 2019) hoisted its Pilot Blue Flag for the 2019/20 season during a short ceremony at the beach in front of Salina’s Restaurant.

The beach incorporates jurisdiction of SANParks, Garden Route District Municipality and George Municipality. The Blue Flag is a joint project of these roleplayers, with major involvement of Salina’s Restaurant, which overlooks Wilderness beach, and with the support of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa) that manages the Blue Flag Programme in South Africa. It is the second consecutive year the beach has Pilot Blue Flag status since Garden Route District Municipality re-applied for the accolade. Wilderness had full status in previous years but skipped application in 2017 due to administrative changes at the District Municipality.

Wilderness Blue Flag beach
From left are SANParks Wilderness representative Carel van der Merwe, Executive Deputy Mayor Charlotte Clarke and Garden Route District Municipality Executive Mayor Alderman Memory Booysen

Addressing roleplayers at the ceremony this morning, Garden Route District Municipality Head of Disaster Management Gerhard Otto said the roleplayers had hoped that Wilderness Beach would earn full Blue Flag status this year, but new changes in the WESSA Blue Flag Beach requirements had not made it impossible on short notice. “Salina’s had in the past made its disabled toilets available to disabled beachgoers, which was sufficient in the past to qualify, but this is no longer the case. The George Municipality has already allocated funding for such upgrades at the public toilets located in the parking area at the beach, but the implementation of these upgrades was unfortunately outside the Blue Flag application timeframe. We believe this will be resolved next year and expect that Wilderness will have full Blue Flag status for the 2020/21 season,” said Mr Otto.

Garden Route District Mayor Alderman Memory Booysen said the Pilot Blue Fag certificate ensured close scrutiny of beach management standards such as water quality, public safety, facility management, the provision of quality services, environmental management and commitment towards environmental education and information. “I am confident we can attain full Blue Flag status and together reap the fruits of the programme’s inherent benefits for many years to come,” said Mr Booysen.

George Municipality Ward Councillor for Wilderness, Marlene Barnardt thanked the many roleplayers and complimented by name Salina’s Restaurant owner Massimo Mariotti for his involvement and sited his role as a stellar example of the private sector working with local government and others for the greater good of the community. “

Selina’s Restaurant owner Massimo Mariotti said patrons often commented on the presence of a Blue Flag. “National and international tourists recognise the benefits associated with the Blue Flag and we believe it is very important for tourism in our village and on the Garden Route to have this accolade,” said Mr Mariotti.

The Blue Flag season in Wilderness runs from 1 December 2019 to 31 January 2020. Compliance includes high standards of water quality monitoring, public safety and lifeguard services, and well-maintained coastal amenities.

South Africa has participated in the Blue Flag programme since 2001. Blue Flag is an international coastal management programme that accredits beaches that meet standards of excellence in water quality, environmental management, environmental education and information as well as safety and services. The Blue Flag programme offers many benefits: improved tourism facilities, enhanced management of coastal ecosystems, increased awareness of the coast and capacity building of coastal municipalities. In South Africa, the programme is implemented by the Wildlife Environmental Society of South Africa (WESSA).

Wilderness beach awarded “Pilot Blue Flag” certification

The Garden Routers, more specifically residents of the George municipal area, can be proud of their beach in Wilderness after the beach was awarded a certificate as “Pilot Blue Flag Beach” for this year 2018/2019. Executive Mayor of George, Cllr Melvin Naik, proudly hoisted the Wilderness Pilot Blue Flag on 3 December 2018, during an official ceremony in celebration of this prestigious symbol of quality.

GRDM Portfolio Chairperson for Community Services, Cllr Khayalethu Lose (left), and Executive Mayor of George, Cllr Melvin Naik (right), after the flag has been hoisted.

“Blue Flag’ recognition is regarded by the World Tourism Organisation as the most well-known international eco-label and gives local and foreign visitors the assurance that beaches are clean, environmentally sound and adhere to international safety, as well as other tourism standards. The voluntary eco-label is given to beaches that meet strict criteria, spanning four aspects of coastal management:

  • water quality;
  • environmental education and information;
  • environmental management; and
  • safety and services.

Furthermore it includes excellent life-saving standards, top-rate parking, facilities for the disabled as well as sparkling ablution facilities. A “Blue Flag” status will ensure that the Wilderness beach achieves effective coastal management and improved service delivery through tourism-generated job creation, education and development opportunities.

Portfolio Chairperson of Community Services at GRDM, Cllr Khayalethu Lose, addressed all stakeholders soon after the “Pilot Blue Flag” was hoisted.

In his keynote address Portfolio Chairperson for Community Services at Garden Route District Municipality, Cllr Khayalethu Lose, said:  “One of the ways in which we are working hard to improve the overall quality of our beaches, is by achieving the standards required for the “Blue Flag” eco-label. Striving to achieve this status will also provides us with an added incentive for the safeguarding of the environment of our beaches and for the safety of all those who make use of them.” Cllr Lose continued by saying that he is confident that the beach can achieve the full Blue Flag status, however, “all relevant organisations and officials must work together to make a success of it.  This would require commitment to the environmental sustainability and to further raise the quality of services at the Wilderness beach”.

Mr Clive Africa, Executive Manager for Community Services at GRDM, extended a word of appreciation to all stakeholders who contributed to this achievement and that he looks forward to the continued support from all parties to ensure that the next level as full “Blue Flag” status for the beach, is accomplished.

From left are: Mr Johan Compion (GRDM), Ms Nina Viljoen (GRDM), Mr Clive Africa (GRDM), Cllr Khayalethu Lose (GRDM), Executive Mayor Melvin Naik (George Municipality), Deputy Mayor Charlotte Clarke (George Municipality), Mr Neels Barnard (George Municipality), Mr Walter Hendrikz (George Municipality), Mr Radie Loubser (George Municipality) and Mr Jonathan Britton (SANParks).

Wilderness beach was awarded the full “Blue Flag” status during the 2016/17 season, and with the commitment and true dedication of all the stakeholders, including the Garden Route District Municipality, George Municipality, the South African National Parks (SANParks), the Salinas Restaurant, and the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), as well as members of the  community and visiting tourists, it is possible for the beach to again achieve full “Blue Flag” status for the coming season.

What does a Pilot Blue Flag Beach certification mean?

A pilot Blue Flag beach status is proof to the World Tourism Organisation that the beach is striving towards the highest quality of service, and if achieved, the beach will be awarded full “Blue Flag” status for the next 2019/20 season. Some of the strict standards to comply with is the water quality of the swimming area, which is monitored by the Garden Route District Municipality’s environmental health practitioners. All the authorities and stakeholders are committed to stand together to ensure that the strict Blue Flag standards are achieved in order to once again have a full “Blue Flag” status beach next year.

Prestigious Wilderness Blue Flag Once Again to Fly during the 2018/19 Blue Flag Season 

Prestigious Wilderness Blue Flag Once Again to Fly during the 2018/19 Blue Flag Season 

The Garden Route District Municipality is proud to announce that the Wilderness Blue Flag beach has been awarded Pilot Status and will be flying its flag once again during the 2018/19 Blue Flag season. The Garden Route District Municipality, George Municipality and the South African National Parks (SANParks) are committed to the Blue Flag programme, and have put resources together to work towards the goal of achieving compliance of the Wilderness beach with the strict WESSA Blue Flag criteria, and together ensured the successful Pilot status achieved by the beach.

The official Wilderness season period will be running from the 1st of December 2018 to the 31st of January 2019. 

For the coming Blue Flag season, a total of 66 Blue Flags were awarded by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) nationally, consisting of 46 beaches, eight marinas and 12 sustainable tourism boats. Within the Garden Route District, the beaches that were awarded Blue Flag status were the Natures Valley, Singing Kettle, the Waves, the Dunes, the Lookout beach, Robberg 5 (Bitou area), Buffalo Bay, Brenton on Sea (Knysna area), De Bakke, Little Brak, Hartenbos, Santos (Mossel Bay area), and the Lappiesbaai,  Preekstoel, Gouritsmond and Witsand (Hessequa area) beaches, as well as the Wilderness (George), Glentana (Mossel Bay), Jongensfontein and Still Bay west (Hessequa) beaches which were awarded Pilot Blue flag status.

During the coming 2018/19 season, the Wilderness beach will be in full compliance with the Blue Flag criteria by ensuring high standards of water quality monitoring, public safety and lifeguard services, and well maintained coastal amenities, amongst others. The Blue Flag recognition is regarded by the World Tourism Organisation as the most well-known international eco-label and gives local and foreign visitors the knowledge that these beaches are clean, environmentally sound, and adhering to international safety and other tourist standards.

The voluntary Blue Flag eco-label is given to beaches that meet 33 main criteria which is spanning four aspects of coastal management, such as water quality; environmental education and information, environmental management as well as safety and services. The Garden Route District Municipality is continuously striving to provide top quality services to its community and is proud to assure a world class Wilderness beach. Through its commitment to the Blue Flag programme, the Municipality demonstrates a clear coastal vision to conserve our coastal resources and heritage.