Blue Flag beach

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Blue Flag, 2007

A Blue Flag beach is a maritime or freshwater recreational beach that has met stringent quality standards during the whole of the previous bathing season. Blue Flag status is also applied to marinas.

Blue Flag status is awarded to beaches in more than thirty countries in Europe, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada and the Caribbean based on standards and criteria owned and managed by an independent non-profit organisation, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) Campaign.

Compliance with Blue Flag criteria requires adherence to water quality standards, safety, the provision of services and general environmental management.

In Europe, the water quality standards are enshrined in the EC Bathing Waters Directive.

The right to fly a Blue Flag at a beach or recreational water is a strong indication of high environmental standards and is a much sought after accolade by local authorities and providers of water-based recreational facilities.

For 2007, Spain has 499 Blue Flag beaches, Greece is second at 430, and France is third at 238. Greece has the most flags in the Mediterranean sea.