Keep Wales Tidy has unveiled the 73 coastal areas that have met the high standards needed to receive the prestigious Blue Flag, Green Coast Award and Seaside Award.
Across the country, 45 Blue Flags are flying at 42 beaches and three marinas. The iconic Blue Flag is a world-renowned eco-label owned by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). For more than three decades, Blue Flag has had a transformational impact on water quality, safety and environmental management, it has also inspired environmental awareness through education activities and promotion of social responsibility.
25 beaches have achieved the Seaside Award for their standard of water quality and facilities. A further 13 beaches in Wales have gained the Green Coast Award, recognising the ‘hidden gems’ along our coastline.
This continued success across the Welsh coast is down to everyone who kept working during the difficulties of last year and who continue to improve and protect the coastal environments here in Wales.
No flags were flown last year in Wales due to COVID19 restrictions, and this year is a real cause for celebration as beaches and marinas continue to maintain a high standard of water quality, cleanliness and environmental practices during very challenging circumstances.
We are lucky to have some of the world’s best beaches and marinas on our doorstep. The success is a testament to everyone who has worked so hard to protect and improve our beaches and keep our coast clean and safe. With local services under immense pressure due to COVID-19, we all needed to pull together to look after our natural environment. We hope that visitors returning to our stunning coastline will cherish it more than ever and enjoy our beaches responsibly. Please make sure you make memories, not mess and take your litter home with you.
Lesley Jones Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive
The full list of awards can be found below, or you can view our Coast Awards map.
Keep Wales Tidy have recently launched a new movement called Caru Cymru, which aims to inspire everyone to take action and care for the environment. When visiting Wales’ award-winning beaches and marinas; please be responsible, take your litter home and make memories not mess.
