GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa) has officially unveiled its 2025-26 Blue Flag and Green Coast sites, celebrating excellence in coastal management, environmental education, and sustainable tourism - and the Garden Route has made its presence felt.
Wessa announced a total of 97 certifications for the whole of South Africa on 31 October, recognising 50 full status Blue Flag beaches, 20 Pilot sites, five Marinas, seven Boats, and 15 Green Coast sites.
Mossel Bay was awarded four full sites and three pilot sites. Bitou, including Plettenberg Bay and Keurbooms, were awarded six full sites, with George awarded three full sites and one pilot site.
The six Plettenberg Bay beaches that will fly the blue flags for the 2025-2026 season are Lookout, Robberg 5, the Waves, the Dunes, Singing Kettle and Nature’s Valley.
Marinas
While Knysna did not achieve a Blue Flag beach, two of its marinas, Thesen Harbour Town Marina and Thesen Islands Homeowners Marina, achieved full Blue Flag status for maintaining world-class standards in water quality, safety, environmental management and community engagement.
In addition, 15 Green Coast sites received certification.
Of these, the implementing partners for Nature’s Valley are Bitou Municipality and Nature’s Valley Trust, and Knysna Municipality for the Strandloper project.
In the George municipal area, the focus will be on Gwaiing Beach.
Promise
“Our Blue Flag and Green Coast programmes are more than symbols, they’re a promise,” said Wessa CEO Cindy-Lee Cloete. “A promise of care, of commitment, of collaboration, of clean water, safe swimming, well-managed beaches, and a world-class coastal experience that celebrates South Africa’s natural and cultural heritage.”
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