Knysna’s Blue Flag Beaches

Buffalo Bay Beach. Photo by Werner Bayer.

Today is the official opening of the Blue Flag summer season.

Around South Africa, sixty-six blue flags will be proudly flown at 46 beaches, eight marinas and by 12 sustainable tourism boats. Eight of the beaches are found between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.

The annual international awards focus on the environmental management of our coastal environment and also aims to promote sustainable tourism growth and development. Over the years it has become an international symbol of the excellence for those beaches, boats and marinas which meet standards of excellence in various categories. These include safety, amenities, cleanliness, environmental information and education and environmental management.

The local beaches that received Blue Flag status are Buffalo Bay and Brenton-on-Sea in the Knysna area, and in Plettenberg Bay it was Robberg 5, Keurboomstrand, Nature’s Valley, Lookout, The Dunes and Singing Kettle.

Thesen Islands Harbour Town and Thesen Islands Homeowners Associations received awards for their Blue Flag marinas. Ocean Odyssey Whale Watching and Eco trips also maintained their Blue Flags for their boats Sousa, Oyster Catcher and Dolphin II.

Well done to these municipalities and business owners. Your commitment to the environment make us all Blue Flag proud!