Eastern Cape's Blue Flag Beaches
Wednesday, 22nd November 2017
For many people, when they think of the Eastern Cape, they think of kilometres of pristine beaches, rocky shorelines and sweeping bays. Summer holidays spent on the beach, swimming, surfing and sunning on warm sands. In fact, the Eastern Cape has some of the finest beaches in the country and over 800km of unspoilt coastline that encompasses the Tsitsikamma Marine Protected Area (the oldest MPA in the world), Jeffrey’s Bay – the surfing mecca, the popular beaches of Port Elizabeth and the splendor of the Wild Coast of South Africa, to name a few.
The Eastern Cape is home to six internationally recognised Blue Flag Beaches, a status symbol that raises them in both awareness and prestige. Blue Flag is a respected eco-label for beaches, boats and marinas that is internationally recognised as a sign of quality and is regarded by the World Tourism Organisation as the most well-known global eco-label.
The Blue Flag programme, which has been running internationally since 1987, is focused on the conservation of marine and coastal habitats and is designed to raise environmental education and awareness and to increase sound environmental practices among tourist, local population and beach management. To achieve Blue Flag status, as many as 33 different criteria must be met across water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management and safety services.
Let us introduce you to those Blue Flag beaches:
Kariega Beach on Route 72
Image: www.kariega.co.za
Prepare to fall in love with the Sunshine Coast and Kariega Beach in Kenton-on-Sea, Eastern Cape. Located between the two tidal rivers, Bushmans and Kariega offering an everchanging landscape of beach, sand dunes, rock pools and interesting rock formations making it the perfect place to spend a day on the beach with the family, strolling and swimming.
Hobie Beach in Nelson Mandela Bay
Image: Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism
Dolphin Beach in the Kouga Region
Image: Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism
Dolphin Beach is home to the famous Supertubes surf spot in Jeffrey’s Bay, known as the best wave in Africa and one of the top five right-hand breaks in the world. It’s a the place to surf or to watch the surfers catching waves. Stretching from the Gamtoos River along the coast, Dolphin Beach is also great for long walks in the quieter months.
King's Beach in Nelson Mandela Bay
One of the jewels in Port Elizabeth’s crown, the expansive King’s Beach extends from the harbour wall to Humewood Beach. This beach is perfect for the family, year-round as it is super for swimming and sunbathing; and is also home to the much-loved “Supertubes” waterpark, putt-putt course and go-cart track.
Hamburg Beach on Route 72
Image: TravelStart
Between East London and Port Alfred, along the Sunshine Coast, lies the little hamlet of Hamburg. If you’re looking for a digital detox and serene holiday, then this is the beach for you. The beach has an unspoilt beauty – the perfect location to stroll, fish and truly relax.
Kelly's Beach on Route 72
Image: SouthAfrica.to
Take in the panoramic views from the Kelly’s Beach viewing decks before heading down to the beach to enjoy swimming, body-surfing and rock pooling and snorkelling along the coastline. Kelly’s Beach offers lovely walks east to the pier or west among the dunes. A lovely day at the beach in Port Alfred.
Humewood Beach in Nelson Mandela Bay
As South Africa’s oldest Blue Flag beach, Humewood Beach and its six pillars has provided hours of ocean fun to generations of South Africans. Adjacent to Happy Valley, Humewood Beach offers excellent safe swimming and is a lovely spot for snorkelling and scuba diving, when conditions allow.
And now we're off to the beach! Which beach will you be visiting this summer?
