KZN South Coast Awarded 11 Blue Flag Beaches

South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE) congratulates Ray Nkonyeni Municipality and Umdoni Municipality on their achievements at the annual Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards ceremony, hosted by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) at Grotto Beach in Hermanus on 9 October 2026.

The internationally recognised Blue Flag Programme promotes high standards of water quality, beach safety, environmental management and environmental education. These awards reflect the continued commitment of local municipalities and their partners to protecting the coastline while providing a safe and enjoyable experience for residents and visitors.

SCTIE CEO, Dr Vusumuzi Sibiya, said: “The Blue Flag and Green Coast recognitions demonstrate the commitment of our municipalities, environmental teams and communities to protecting our natural assets. Our beaches are a major tourism attraction and an important contributor to the local economy. As we prepare for the summer holiday season, we encourage visitors to rediscover the KZN South Coast, enjoy our diverse experiences and help us keep our coastline clean, safe and sustainable.”

2026/2027 Blue Flag Beaches – KZN South Coast

Full Blue Flag Status

1. Preston Beach – Umdoni Municipality (New)
2. Rocky Bay Beach – Umdoni Municipality
3. Pennington Beach – Umdoni Municipality
4. Bazley Beach – Umdoni Municipality (New)
5. Mthwalume Beach – Umdoni Municipality
6. Hibberdene Beach – Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (New)
7. Umzumbe Beach – Ray Nkonyeni Municipality
8. Southport Beach – Ray Nkonyeni Municipality
9. St Michael’s Beach – Ray Nkonyeni Municipality
10. Marina Beach – Ray Nkonyeni Municipality
11. Trafalgar Beach – Ray Nkonyeni Municipality

Blue Flag Pilot Status

1. Scottburgh Beach – Umdoni Municipality
2. Umtentweni Beach – Ray Nkonyeni Municipality
3. Lucien Beach – Ray Nkonyeni Municipality
4. Ramsgate Beach – Ray Nkonyeni Municipality
5. Port Edward Beach – Ray Nkonyeni Municipality

Special Recognition

Marina Beach also received special recognition for 25 years of Blue Flag status, highlighting its longstanding commitment to coastal excellence.

Beyond its award-winning beaches, the KZN South Coast offers world-class scuba diving at Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks, shark cage diving, kayaking, fishing, hiking, cultural experiences and adventure activities at Oribi Gorge. These attractions strengthen the region’s appeal as a destination offering much more than a traditional beach holiday.

The region also celebrates the following WESSA Green Coast sites for 2026:

1. Leisure Bay Conservancy
2. Trafalgar Marine Reserve and Surrounds
3. Southbroom Conservancy

SCTIE commends the municipalities, lifeguards, environmental officers, Tidy Towns teams, Community Policing Forums (CPFs) and local communities for their ongoing efforts to maintain the region’s coastal environment. Their collective contribution supports sustainable tourism, local economic growth and a welcoming summer season on the KZN South Coast.

Rediscover Unlimited Experiences on the KZN South Coast!

Follow the hashtags #RediscoverKZNSouthCoast #RediscoverExperiences #ExperienceTheSouthCoast #KZNSouthCoast #RediscoverAdventure #RediscoverHeritage

Keep updated on all on South Coast activities by visiting the KZN South Coast website; following South Coast Tourism on Facebook; South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise on YouTube; @infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram; and South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise on LinkedIn. And click here to check out previous SCTIE press releases. Watch why KZN South Coast is a top tourism destination here.`

IMAGE CAPTION: Southport Beach .(Image: Supplied by SCTIE)