South Africa’s coastal tourism sector has celebrated a landmark milestone at the 2026/27 Blue Flag Awards in Hermanus, as the country breached the 50 Blue Flag beaches mark for the first time.
For the marine manufacturing and commercial boating sectors, the numbers held firm. South Africa maintained its national tally of five accredited Blue Flag marinas and seven certified Blue Flag tourism boat operators, underscoring consistent compliance with rigorous international safety, environmental management, and water quality standards.
Highlighting the commercial sector’s momentum, the V&A Waterfront Marina officially secured its eighth consecutive Full Blue Flag accreditation. The Waterfront team welcomed the award announced at Grotto Beach as the programme celebrated 25 years in South Africa, as a testament to maintaining pristine environmental and operational standards within a high-density, multi-use harbour.
With operators like Knysna’s Offshore Adventures celebrating a decade of continuous accreditation alongside established hubs like Thesen Harbour Town, the stable boating and marina count reflects the industry’s sustained commitment to world-class coastal stewardship.