Kouga Municipality hoisted the coveted Blue Flag high on Dolphin Beach in Jeffreys Bay and Cape St Francis Beach on December 2, celebrating these coastal gems’ commitment to environmental excellence and world-class standards.
The 2024-2025 Blue Flag season was officially launched on December 1, celebrating South Africa’s commitment to sustainable coastal tourism and environmental excellence. The prestigious Blue Flag status has been awarded to 48 beaches, four marinas, and seven sustainable tourism boats across the country, cementing their compliance with the highest international standards for environmental management, safety, accessibility, and education.
The official launch ceremony, held at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, highlighted Kouga Municipality’s achievements alongside 13 other municipalities that received Blue Flag recognition.
About the Blue Flag Programme
Managed in South Africa by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) since 2001, and internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), the Blue Flag Programme is a globally recognised eco-label awarded to beaches, marinas, and tourism boats that meet 33 rigorous criteria.
These include water quality, environmental education, accessibility, safety, security, and visitor facilities. WESSA CEO, Cindy-Lee Cloete, said, “Achieving Blue Flag status is no small feat.”
“This accolade celebrates the commitment of municipalities, marinas, and tourism boat operators to environmental sustainability, visitor safety, and caring for our marine environments and the people who enjoy these spaces. Through our Blue Flag and Green Coast Programmes, we collaborate closely with partners to tackle critical coastal management challenges and promote sustainable tourism.”
What visitors can expect
The Blue Flag beach season runs from December 1 to April 31, 2025, for Dolphin Beach and from December 1 to February 28, 2025, for Cape St Francis Beach, with facilities and lifeguards operational between 08:00 and 17:00.
Visitors to Blue Flag beaches can look forward to well-maintained amenities, clean ablutions, educational displays, and proactive safety measures, including trained lifeguards and first-aid equipment.
Beaches are also tested regularly for water quality by independent laboratories, with results made publicly available on noticeboards and WESSA’s website. Strict regulations ensure the cleanliness and safety of these beaches.
Dogs and other pets are prohibited on Blue Flag Beaches to minimise pollution and risks to visitors, with fines imposed for non-compliance. Beaches may lose their Blue Flag accreditation should the municipality fail to uphold the required high standards for beachgoers.
Accountability and standards
WESSA conducts frequent inspections of Blue Flag sites to ensure adherence to the programme’s stringent criteria. Sites failing to meet these standards risk temporary or permanent withdrawal of Blue Flag status, a measure aimed at maintaining the programme’s integrity.
Visitors are asked to comply with the beach signs, and the directions of the lifeguards and security, and are encouraged to report any concerns to the beach manager or WESSA, whose contact details are displayed on-site.
Boosting local economies
Kouga Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman, emphasised the programme’s economic and environmental impact.
“We wish all residents and visitors a safe and enjoyable summer season at our Blue Flag beaches, which rank among the finest in the world.”
For more information on the Blue Flag Programme and a full list of award-winning sites, visit https://www.wessa.org.za/blue-flag/.
