The total number of South African beaches achieving prestigious Blue Flag status ahead of the peak summer season has risen from 48 to 50.
The 2025/26 list of beaches includes three new entrants from KwaZulu-Natal Willard Beach and Salt Rock in Ballito and New St Michaels on the South Coast. Santos Beach in Mossel Bay, Western Cape, has been removed from the list but is now a Blue Flag pilot beach.
Beaches that achieve Blue Flag status have adhered to the Foundation for Environmental Educations strict standards of environmental management. These include water quality, safety and public environmental education all assessed by a South African National Jury and a Blue Flag International Jury in Europe.