The V&A Waterfront Marina in Cape Town, South Africa, has secured Blue Flag status for the eighth consecutive season after meeting international standards for environmental management, safety, accessibility and education. The latest certification was announced on 8 October at an awards ceremony at Grotto Beach in Hermanus during celebrations for the Blue Flag programme’s 25th anniversary in the country.

Coordinated internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education and managed in South Africa by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), the Blue Flag programme recognises beaches, marinas and sustainable boating tourism operators that meet environmental, safety and educational standards. According to the V&A Waterfront, its year-round environmental efforts go further than Blue Flag requirements, given the marina’s location in a working harbour shared by marine wildlife and commercial, industrial, tourism and leisure activities within a 123-hectare precinct.

The marina works with the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation through its Marine Wildlife Management Programme to monitor and protect marine wildlife and support coexistence between harbour activities and marine species. Its marine team also patrols the waterways daily, using sweepers to collect litter and debris, alongside netting systems that capture additional waste before it spreads through the harbour or reaches the ocean. The V&A Waterfront also plans to develop a swimmable marine bay and a turtle conservation centre at Granger Bay as part of its efforts to support marine conservation and reconnect Cape Town with the ocean.

Graham Wood, CEO of the V&A Waterfront, said the certification recognises the efforts of the marina team and its partners to maintain environmental and operational standards. “As a working waterfront and one of Africa’s leading destinations, we recognise our responsibility to protect the marine environment while creating safe, accessible and enjoyable experiences for all who visit and use our marina facilities. Our visitors tell us that caring for the ocean matters to them. Blue Flag gives us an independent, international benchmark to hold ourselves to, and a platform to share that story with the millions of people who visit the V&A each year.”

WESSA and Overstrand Municipality hosted the ceremony, which celebrated WESSA’s centenary and 25 years since South Africa became the first country outside Europe to adopt Blue Flag. This year’s awards recognised 50 beaches, seven tourism boats and five marinas that received full Blue Flag status. Another 20 beaches were recognised as pilot sites, and 19 coastal sites received recognition under WESSA’s Green Coast initiative.

Images from V&A Waterfront and Overstrand Municipality.