Ramsgate Beach. Photo: Supplied
The KwaZulu-Natal coastline has once again showcased its pristine beauty with several beaches earning prestigious Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards for the 2024/25 season, for their environmental quality and safety standards.
The recent awards ceremony, hosted by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) and the V&A Waterfront, highlighted the appeal of these beaches to tourists and their role in local economic growth.
Among the Blue Flag-awarded beaches are Marina Beach, Trafalgar Beach, Southport Beach, Umzumbe Beach, Ramsgate Beach, and Hibberdene Beach within the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality; Pennington Beach in Umdoni Municipality; and Blythedale Beach and Thompson Bay Beach in KwaDukuza Municipality on the KZN North Coast. Additionally, five beaches — Rocky Bay Beach, Preston Beach, Umthwalume Beach, Scottburgh Beach, and St Michael’s Beach — have been recognised as Blue Flag pilot sites, showing great potential in meeting the strict criteria required for full status.
No beaches in the Durban central area and surroundings were awarded Blue Flags following several issues of sewer maintenance, flooding and other issues.
Managed by WESSA in South Africa and the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) globally, the Blue Flag Programme has set stringent standards across environmental, safety, and accessibility aspects, making these beaches attractive destinations for both local and international visitors.
Dr Vusumuzi Sibiya, CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE), said he was enthusiastic over the recognition.
“The Blue Flag is a strong reassurance for visitors that our waters are clean and safe, encouraging them to visit. With tourism being one of the biggest local economy drivers, this has a positive knock-on effect for so many other local businesses, including accommodation, restaurants, sports, and recreational activities, as well as the informal market,” Dr Sibiya said.
The South Coast’s reputation as a premier holiday destination is further enhanced by SCTIE’s “Embrace Summer!” campaign, that aims to promote the KZN coastline’s high number of Blue Flag beaches across various platforms. Through the campaign, SCTIE hopes to attract both local and international tourists, benefiting local economies.
Community-driven initiatives, such as Tidy Towns and Keep Scottburgh Beautiful, have further supported the region’s beach cleanliness and safety.
According to Dr Sibiya, these grassroots efforts strengthen the impact of Blue Flag recognition by keeping these beaches pristine year-round.
Brett Tungay, chairperson of the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (Fedhasa) East Coast, said there was high value placed on the Blue Flag certification.
“When we are marketing and we have beaches that are Blue Flag, it gives the travelling public peace of mind about what kind of experience they can expect,” Mr Tungay said. “It also sets a benchmark for municipalities in terms of what is expected of them to make the best visitor experience possible.”
Beyond boosting tourism, the Blue Flag Programme fosters community engagement in coastal conservation through initiatives such as water quality monitoring and beach clean-ups.
WESSA CEO Cindy-Lee Cloete commended the work behind the scenes that keeps these beaches at such high standards. “We celebrate beaches, marinas, and tourism boat operators that have met the stringent requirements for Blue Flag and Green Coast status, as well as the passionate people behind these efforts,” she remarked at the awards ceremony. “These initiatives inspire responsible tourism and showcase the vital role communities play in caring for our natural spaces.”