From beach towels and swimming spots to shark and whale tours, there is more than one reason to celebrate the Overstrand’s coastling this season.
Hermanus’ Grotto Beach has officially marked 25 consecutive years of Blue Flag status while Kleinmond Main Beach retained its own.
Moreover, three other local beaches have graduated from pilot status to full accreditation, bringing the municipality’s total to five Blue Flag beaches.
The recognition formed part of the 2026-’27 Blue Flag and Green Coast announcements by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), with the national milestone celebrated at Grotto Beach on 8 October.
Hawston Beach, Onrus Beach and Castle Beach at Pearly Beach have all progressed from pilot status to full Blue Flag status. They join Grotto Beach and Kleinmond Main Beach, which retained their accreditation.
That means that beachgoers have five recognised coastal destinations to enjoy accross the Overstrand – and the flags represent more than just a pretty stretch of sand.
Blue Flag is an international envrinmental award programme recognising beaches, marinas and tourism boats that meet the standards covering envrionmental management, waer quality, visitor safety, accessibility and envrionmental education.
In other words, there is plenty happening behind the scenes to help make a day at the beach enjoyable, safe and environmentally responsible.
From the beach to the big Blue
The Overstrand’s Blue Flag celebrations do not end where the sand meets the sea.
Marine Dynamics Shark and Whale Tours also features on WESSA’s list of certified tourism boat operators. Its vessels Slashfin, Dreamcatcher and Whale Whsiperer were recognised for the 2026-’27 season.
The inclusion brings marine tourism into the picture.
It highlights that responsible coastal experiences extend beyond the shoreline and into the waters that attract visitors to the region.
South Africa’s 2026-’27 programme recognised seven tourism boats nationally, alongside 50 full-status beaches, 20 pilot beach sites and five marinas.
For a coastal destination such as the Overstrand, the combination of recognised beaches and marine tourism operators highlights the range of experiences the region offers. From morning swimming to heading offshore in search of marine wildlife.
A flag with purpose
The milestone is also a reminder that Blue Flag status is not simply an annual badge of honur.
WESSA’s chief executive, Cindy-Lee Cloete said the programme’s 25-years history came with a responsibility to continue earning public trust and enabling more people to care for South Africa’s natural heritage.
For Overstrand Municipality, maintaining the status requires year-round attention to water quality, environmental management and inclusivity.
The municipality described the achievment as “no small feat”.
Overstrand mayor, Archie Klaas also emphasised the importance of ensuring that the coast is accessible to everyone.
“Our beaches should be enjoyed by everyone, including persons with disabilities,” he said.
That commitment to inclusion was visible in Hermanus when the Living Coast Prototype Signage was unveiled at Grotto East Beach on 6 October.
Developed with partners including WESSA, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Blind SA and the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities, the signs incorporate Braille.
Digital guides offer audio, subtitles, environmental information and citizen-science content in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa.
The initiative aims to make coastal information more accessible to people with different needs and to help more visitors engage with the natural environment.
More than a local celebration
South Africa’s Blue Flag milestone coincides with WESSA’s centenary and forms part of a broader effort to strengthen coastal conservation, community participation and sustainable tourism.
The national Green Coast programme complements Blue Flag by recognising coastal sites for conservation management, community participation, environmental education and responsible tourism.
WESSA’s ambition is to reach 100 Blue Flag beaches by 2030, with continued investment, preparation and sustained care needed to expand the programme.
For the Overstrand, the latest recognition offers plenty to celebrate.
Grotto Beach’s 25-year run, three beaches stepping up to full status, Kleinmond Main Beach retaining its flag and Marine Dynamics’ tourism vessels earning recognition.
The flags may be the most visible part of the achievement. But the bigger prize is a coastline that remains clean, safe, accessible and worth protecting – for residents and visitors alike.
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