Bikini Beach & Harbour Island awarded Blue Flag status
For a beach to reach the satisfactory point to be awarded Blue Flag status, one has to complete 33 different criteria. Now, in 2017/18, 62 of South Africa’s top beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag status, with Western Cape at the top of the list with the most sites. And among them is our very own Bikini Beach. With that, it was also said that seven Marina’s in the Western Cape have also been awarded the Blue Flag status, and Harbour Island is one of them.
The announcement was made that Blue Flag will officially open on the 1st of November, by the Kouga Municipality, at Dolphin Beach in Jeffery’s Bay.
“Blue Flag is an excellent example of what is achievable when government, both local and national, partner with civil society. Not only does the programme encourage adherence to very high, international standards for beaches, boats and marinas but it has also created an excellent platform from which to develop young and enthusiastic, sustainable tourism ambassadors. Through the Tourism Blue Flag project, the National Department of Tourism has partnered with WESSA to demonstrate its commitment to the development of South Africa’s youth. Over the past year these Blue Flag “Beach Stewards” have played a critical role in the maintenance of the Blue Flag standards at our beaches as well as conducting valuable environmental education activities and campaigns all along our beautiful coastline.” – Vincent Shacks, WESSA Ecotourism Manager