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Blue Flag Status

Media Release: Garden Route retains its place among leading Blue Flag destinations for 2026/27

Media Release: Garden Route retains its place among leading Blue Flag destinations for 2026/27

For Immediate Release
14 October 2026

Hessequa Municipality continues to set the benchmark for Blue Flag excellence countrywide after again achieving full Blue Flag status at all six of its designated swimming beaches.

The Garden Route is known globally for its quality coastal tourism and responsible environmental management. This year, 14 beaches across Hessequa, George and Bitou municipalities were awarded full Blue Flag status for the 2026/2027 season. Blue Flag status is an internationally recognised eco-label that highlights beaches meeting established criteria relating to water quality, environmental management, environmental education, safety and the provision of appropriate facilities.

In a proud moment, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Executive Mayor, Marais Kruger, shared a few words by saying “congratulations to the participating municipalities, marina operators and tourism businesses on their achievements”.

“It is rarely seen in other parts of the country where a region comes together like the Garden Route to maintain environmental standards, protect coastal resources and provide quality experiences for visitors.”

“I am proud to form part of a region where these standards are upheld to ensure that residents and visitors can enjoy well-managed coastal destinations while contributing to the long-term sustainability of the Garden Route’s tourism economy,” Kruger concluded.

Hessequa achieves full status across all six its designated beaches

The municipality on the western border of the Garden Route, Hessequa, received special recognition for achieving full Blue Flag status at all six of its designated swimming beaches for the 2026/2027 season. These are:

  • Lappiesbaai
  • Gouritzmond
  • Stilbaai-West
  • Witsand
  • Jongensfontein
  • Preekstoel
Stilbaai West, one of the total of six beaches in Hessequa that achieved a Blue Flag Status.

Blue Flag beaches across the Garden Route

In addition to Hessequa’s six Blue Flag beaches, George Municipality has three beaches with full Blue Flag status, while Bitou Municipality has five.

George Municipality

  • Herold’s Bay
  • Victoria Bay
  • Wilderness

Bitou Municipality

  • The Dunes
  • The Waves
  • Singing Kettle
  • Nature’s Valley
  • Lookout Beach

Two additional beaches have been recognised under the Blue Flag pilot programme:

  • Leentjiesklop – George Municipality
  • Robberg V – Bitou Municipality

Pilot status provides an opportunity for participating beaches to work towards meeting the requirements for full Blue Flag status.

Recognition extends to marinas and tourism boats

The Garden Route’s coastal tourism offering also includes recognised marinas and tourism boats.

The following marinas have Blue Flag status:

  • Thesen Harbour Town Marina
  • Thesen Island Homeowners Marina, which has achieved Blue Flag status for 10 consecutive years and received recognition of excellence.

Offshore Adventures’ Robberg Express: Oceanic has also been recognised under the Blue Flag Tourism Boats programme.

Green Coast recognition for four sites

Four sites in the Garden Route have been recognised under the Green Coast programme for 2026:

  • Swartvlei Beach – Knysna
  • Nature’s Valley – Bitou Municipality, achieving five consecutive years of recognition
  • Gwaiing Beach – George Municipality
  • Kanon Beach – Mossel Bay
Nature’s Valley – Bitou Municipality, achieving five consecutive years of recognition

The Green Coast programme recognises coastal areas where communities and stakeholders work to protect natural coastal environments while promoting responsible use and sustainable tourism.

Feature Image: Hessequa – Stilbaai Preekstoel Beach (Supplied by Hessequa Tourism)

ENDS

06 November 2024 Media Release: Blue flags to fly at twenty Garden Route beaches

Media Release: Blue flags to fly at twenty Garden Route beaches

6 November 2024

Twenty (20) Garden Route beaches have been awarded Blue Flag Status this year by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), in partnership with coastal municipalities and private entities. Three of the Garden Route beaches were awarded pilot Blue Flag status. South Africa has participated in the Blue Flag Programme for 23 years, since 2001.

GRDM Executive Mayor, Andrew Stroebel upon receiving the news, said: “The awards symbolise that beaches have been recognized for their excellent water quality, safety, security, sound environmental management, and accessibility.”

“Blue Flag Beaches have improved tourism facilities and includes enhanced approach to the management of coastal systems,” says Stroebel.

Stroebel also shared his gratitude to the coastal municipalities for their dedicated efforts: “Thank you to Hessequa, Mossel Bay, George and Bitou municipalities for your commitment in applying for Blue Flag Status and maintaining our beautiful beaches to the highest standards. Your hard work is truly commendable. This achievement not only boosts the image of the Garden Route but also reinforces our region as a top destination for both locals and visitors.

Garden Route beaches with successful Blue Flag accreditation include the following:

George (3) – Visit George Tourism website
* Herold’s Bay
* Victoria Bay
* Wilderness Beach

Plettenberg Bay (6) – Visit the Plett Tourism website
* Robberg 5
* The Waves
* Nature’s Valley
* Lookout Beach
* The Dunes
* Singing Kettle Beach

Mossel Bay (5) – Visit the Mossel Bay Tourism website
* De Bakke Beach
* Hartenbos Beach
* Little Brak Breach
* Santos Beach
* Glentana Beach

Hessequa (6) – Visit the Hessequa Tourism website
* Witsand Beach
* Preekstoel Beach
* Lappiesbaai Beach
* Jongesnfontein Beach
* Gouritzmond Beach
* Stilbaai-Wes Beach

The Blue Flag Pilot Sites in George include Leentjiesklip, and in Mossel Bay it includes Tweekuilen and Suiderkruis beaches.

On top of the beaches that received Blue Flag Status, the following marinas and sustainable boats also received Blue Flags!

Two (2) marinas and 2 sustainable boating tourism operators have been awarded Blue Flag status. The marinas are Thesen Islands and Thesen Harbour in Knysna, while the sustainable boats are Robberg Express and Oceanic Express operated by Offshore Adventures in Plettenberg.

The list of sites is available here for viewing.

Enjoy your time exploring these beautiful spots along the Garden Route!

Feature image: Victoria Bay received Blue Flag Status for the second consecutive time. Pictured is also the Victoria Bay Caravan Park sites – the Western Terrace in the left corner and the Railway Terrace at the top. Both of these sites are fully booked for the holiday season.

ENDS