Blue Flag bonanza for Garden Route

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Beaches and marinas along the Garden Route, from Mossel Bay to Plettenberg Bay, including George and Knysna, featured prominently in this year’s WESSA Blue Flag Awards ceremony, held in Plett on Thursday 3 November.

In all 13 out of the 51 beaches are along the Garden Route – six in Bitou (Plettenberg Bay), five in Mossel Bay, two in George and, in the marina section, Thesen Harbour Town in Knysna.

In addition, two boats belonging to Offshore Adventures from Plettenberg Bay received certificates – the only boats in South Africa qualifying.

The 13 beaches are:

Mossel Bay – De Bakke, Hartenbos, Klein Brak, Santos and Glentana;

George – Wilderness and Herold’s Bay;

Bitou (Plettenberg Bay) – Robberg 5, The Waves, Nature’s Valley, Lookout Beach, The Dunes and Singing Kettle.

Blue Flags are awarded annually by WESSA (the Wildlefe and Environment Society of South Africa) and “in recognition of their excellence in safety, amenities, cleanliness and environmental standards”.

Bitou Mayor Dave Swart said the fact that the Blue Flag is voluntary shows commitment to environmental sustainability from the municipalities that participate in the programme and highlighted that the Blue Flag is flown to indicate compliance at the various beaches.