WHAT'S A BLUE FLAG BEACH?

Beaches that meet water quality, environmental management, safety and accessibility standards can receive a Blue Flag rating. There are only two Blue Flag Beaches in the United States: Westward Beach, California, and Delray Municipal Beach in Florida. Should beachgoers be worried?

The Blue Flag eco-label for beaches and marinas was established in 1981 in Denmark. Since then, the FEE has become a global force with countries like Europe being the home of the Bluest Flag Beaches in the world. In addition, other countries like Central America, Canada, Asia, the Caribbean are Blue Flag associated.

Our planet has an abundance of naturally occurring bodies of water but unfortunately not all beaches meet the standard required by the Foundation for Environmental Education. 

 America signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Foundation of Environmental Education (FEE) and received affiliate membership in July 2020. For additional certification, each beach has to meet thirty-three requirements involving four different categories to receive a blue flag. First, the water quality category includes routine water sampling to ensure safe swimming. Secondly, a care-plan to manage and protect the local environment including waste management and conservation of plant and animal life is required. This information must be available to beachgoers educating them how to maintain and preserve clean beaches. Lastly, safety measures such as adequate staffed lifeguards alongside services that include something as simple as having clean restrooms and accessible handicap options are required to complete the process. Because FEE adheres to strict environmental standards the restriction of dogs is prohibited to maintain optimal water quality and to prevent potential health hazards. This could be why the United States does not have more certifications.  

Here are a few Blue Flag Beaches across the globe.

 EUROPE: Avon Beach, Mudeford-Dorset, England Skegness Beach, England Wittering Beach, England

  * Greece has 625 Blue Flag Beaches

 *  Spain: Has a record-breaking 638 beaches with Blue Flag

CARIBBEAN: 

Winnifred Beach, Playa Blanco Beach,

The Sands at Grace Bay (Jamaica)

Puerto Rico-Sun Bay Beach

Barbados-Maxwell Beach 

Turks & Caicos-Governor’s Beach

U.S. Virgin Island -Drake’s Seat Beach

 USA:

Westward Beach-Malibu, California

Delray Municipal Beach-Delray, Florida

CANADA: Centre Island Beach

Hanlan’s Beach

Cherry Beach

Main Beach, Port Stanley

For more information on Blue Flag Beaches

Blue Flag