Twenty-nine South African beaches have been awarded Blue Flag status this year, Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk announced on Thursday.

This was 10 more than last year and extremely good news for tourism, he said in a statement issued after a ceremony to mark the announcement at Muizenberg beach in Cape Town.

"South Africa's Blue Flag beaches increase our desirability and reputation as a world class destination. With the exception of Morocco, South Africa is the only African country implementing Blue Flag, and we have done so with increasing success since 2001," Van Schalkwyk said.

Blue Flag is an international award scheme that acts as a guarantee to tourists that a beach they are visiting is one of the best in the world.

It is awarded to those that have achieved the highest quality in water, facilities, safety, environmental education and management.

Local beaches that have received Blue Flag accreditation include:

  • MacDougall's Bay, Port Nolloth (new)
  • Yzerfontein Main beach, Yzerfontein (new)
  • Big Bay beach, Bloubergstrand Cape Town (new)
  • Clifton Fourth beach, Cape Town
  • Camps Bay, Cape Town
  • Muizenberg, Cape Town
  • Strandfontein beach, Cape Town
  • Mnandi beach, Cape Town
  • Bikinibeach, Gordon's Bay
  • Kleinmond beach, near Hermanus (back in programme)
  • Hawston beach, near Hermanus
  • Grotto beach, Hermanus
  • Lappiesbaai, Stilbaai, Southern Cape
  • Santosbeach, Mossel Bay (new)
  • Hartenbos beach, Mossel Bay (new)
  • Robberg 5 beach, Plettenberg Bay (new)
  • Dolphin beach, Jeffrey's Bay
  • Humewood beach, Port Elizabeth
  • Hobie beach, Port Elizabeth
  • Wells Estate, north of Port Elizabeth
  • Kelly's beach, Port Alfred
  • Kariega Main beach, Kenton-on-Sea (new)
  • Boknes beach, Kenton-On-Sea (new)
  • Gonubie beach, East London(back in programme)
  • Trafalgar beach, South Coast, KwaZulu-Natal (new)
  • Marina beach, South Coast, KwaZulu-Natal
  • Ramsgate beach, near Margate
  • Margate beach
  • Alkantstrand, Richard's Bay (new)

Are there any beaches you think should have got the nod? Tell us your favourite below...

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