Nelson Mandela Bay retains Blue Flag status for three beaches

Retaining international Blue Flag status for three beaches for the 2026/27 season will strengthen the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s coastal tourism offering, ahead of the summer holidays.

Located in the Eastern Cape, the metro retained the international Blue Flag status for Kings Beach, Humewood Beach, and Hobie Beach.

Humewood Beach has also reached 25 consecutive years in the international Blue Flag Programme, which recognises beaches that meet stringent environmental, water quality, safety and visitor facility standards.

The municipality’s achievements were recognised at the national Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards, held recently at Grotto Beach in Hermanus.

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Mayor Babalwa Lobishe said the accreditation reflects the municipality’s efforts to maintain its beaches as key tourism and economic assets.

“We are a metro that has identified its beaches as one of the critical enablers of our economic growth, specifically through international water sports events and tourism in general,” Lobishe said.

The municipality has also secured pilot status for Bluewater Bay and Wells Estate beaches as it works towards expanding the number of beaches meeting the programme’s requirements.

In the current financial year, R5.6 million has been allocated to beach maintenance and upgrades. Planned work includes improvements to the Kings Beach kiosk, a new balustrade at Wells Estate beachfront, repairs to vandalised ablution facilities at Sardinia Bay, and upgrades to fencing and facilities at Maitlands and Brighton beaches.

The municipality’s Beach Safety Programme has also trained young people as peace officers to patrol the Humewood and Summerstrand beachfronts, strengthening visitor safety while creating employment opportunities.

Blue Flag status is renewed annually and requires beaches to comply with international criteria covering bathing water quality, environmental management, safety, accessibility, visitor facilities and environmental education.

The municipality said the accreditation supports its efforts to attract domestic and international visitors, while strengthening the local tourism value chain, including accommodation establishments, restaurants, tour operators, water sports operators and small businesses.
The beaches also provide venues for major sporting events expected to contribute to the local economy.

The ISUZU IRONMAN African Championship, held at Hobie Beach in April 2026, was estimated to have injected more than R87 million into the local economy and generated over 20 787 verified overnight stays.

Kings Beach will host the Lifesaving World Championships from 25 November to 13 December 2026, which is expected to attract more than 2 500 competitors, along with their crews and supporters, and generate an estimated R350 million in economic activity.

The municipality also reported that the 2025/26 cruise season brought 39 international vessels carrying 59 077 passengers and 22 994 crew members to Nelson Mandela Bay, contributing an estimated R111 million to the local economy, up from R96.5 million in the previous season.

Lobishe urged holidaymakers to choose Nelson Mandela Bay for the summer season.

“I would like to call upon all those who have not yet confirmed their holiday destinations to choose Nelson Mandela Bay. They will enjoy world-standard, warm beaches and the friendliness of our people, which we are known for,” she said.

The municipality has committed to pursuing full Blue Flag accreditation for Bluewater Bay and Wells Estate, improving beachfront infrastructure and safety, and using its coastal attractions to support tourism and employment throughout the year.

Residents and visitors have been encouraged to swim only where lifeguards are on duty and to help protect the coastal environment. – SAnews.gov.za

 

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