What does the Blue Flag mean on the beach? The best beaches in Turkey marked with the Blue Flag What does a blue flag mean on a beach.

The Blue Flag award has been awarded annually to the cleanest and best beaches since 1987. Since then, almost all countries of the world have taken part in the international certification program. It became very prestigious to receive the award. This increases the tourist attractiveness of not only the hotel with a private Blue Flag beach, but also the resort itself.

Environmental Education Foundation

The organizer of the international beach certification program is the Foundation for Environmental Education - Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). The headquarters is located in the capital of Denmark. President Jan Eriksen strives to intensively develop and expand its activities.

This non-profit organization is engaged not only in monitoring and checking water quality and condition coastline resorts Employees see their main mission primarily in the educational program. They teach us to protect not only the environment around us, but also the people living on its territory. Organizations that make a profit from ecosystems (resorts, hotels, recreation centers, etc.) should also protect nature. They must realize that recreation areas depend on them and should not suffer from unsustainable environmental management.

Eco-standards program

In 46 countries around the world, about 4,500 beaches, bays and marinas have the Blue Flag. This means that their territory has excellent water quality, ideal environmental conditions in the coastal zone, high level security. The environmental standards program is not only aimed at protecting nature. It supports the interests of tourists and local residents to the right to rest and live in comfortable conditions without threat to health or life.

You can look at the world map (created by the Foundation) which shows all the Blue Flag beaches. It can be seen that most of them are concentrated in Europe. A significant number of such quality marks are available in countries Caribbean, in southern Africa.

This doesn't mean that good beaches only in Europe. It’s just that other countries are slowly joining the program; some resorts, unfortunately, simply do not see the need for this. The fact is that initially the international beach certification program was called European and was valid only in the corresponding territory. Since 2001, the award has acquired an international status and began to be awarded on other continents. South Africa was the first to join the environmental protection program.

Ecological brand - Blue Flag

This brand is world famous and is trusted by millions of people from all over the planet. Applicants for this prestigious award must meet strict environmental, educational requirements, and comply with and maintain site safety criteria. Even the flag is made from environmental textiles.

If we see the Blue Flag on the beach, what does it mean? This means that the resort should conduct information work with the population so that residents know more about the flora and fauna and better navigate the area. Resort safety measures must be taken at all times to protect the environment, tourists and employees. For monitoring purposes, regular random and comprehensive checks of coastlines and water are carried out. The level of compliance or non-compliance with the Blue Flag environmental standard is revealed. In the second case, the beach is deprived of the award.

Local organizations are chosen to administer the program and must ensure uniformity of the standard.

What is a Blue Flag Beach?

This is an area that has free access (entrance) and developed infrastructure. It is mandatory to have a rescue team on the beach, a medical center with all emergency conditions medical care. For the convenience of vacationers, toilets and showers are equipped, and access is created for free drinking water. It is mandatory to have garbage bins, limit access to the beach for domestic and street animals, and motor vehicles.

The water along the coast is regularly tested for levels of pollution and the presence of dangerous microorganisms, for example, coli. The sand should be cleaned twice a day to remove large and small debris. In other words, the beach Blue flag - perfect place for a safe holiday.

Corporate Partners

This is a huge international network of those who cooperate with the Foundation or are awarded the Blue Flag. More than 2,300 hotels and recreation centers, 4,150 beaches and ship moorings in 73 countries of the planet are bona fide partners who comply with the terms of a mutually beneficial agreement with FEE.

In order to be nominated, you must provide information about yourself on the site. An international jury reviews candidates twice a year: residents of the Northern Hemisphere in April, and residents of the Southern Hemisphere in September. “There is nothing more important to us than quality,” say those who select applicants. The awards ceremony takes place on June 5 and November 1, respectively. Marinas and boat stations receive the mark for one year, and the beach quality certificate is valid for one season. The award must be confirmed next year.

Leading countries 2017

The most clean beaches with clear water, annually confirming the Blue Flag award, are located in Spain, Greece and Turkey. Spanish costa have long been leaders in this list. More than 500 beaches in this country (that is, every fifth) have high levels of safety and cleanliness. Among the Greek beaches with a high degree of water transparency, the main part is located on the island of Crete. In Turkey, such beaches can be found in the resorts of Fethiye, Antalya, Bodrum and Kemer.

The undisputed leaders are followed by the French Riviera, Italian, Portuguese, Danish beaches, coastal recreation areas of Croatia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

What information is hidden behind the color of the flag?

In some countries you can see a red flag on the coastline. This symbol means that it is prohibited to enter the water. At the same time, there may be clean sand and a perfectly calm sea surface around. You must pay attention to the warning and do not go into the water, at least alone. Red flags are placed in places where attacks on people by sharks, alligators and other predators occur. Strong ebbs or flows can suddenly begin here, which drag bathing tourists far into the sea. There is a possibility of getting into whirlpools, quicksand, etc.

Some tourists coming to Vietnam are happy to see blue flags on the beaches and confuse them with blue ones. In fact, a blue flag, often triangular, indicates rough seas.

Green and white flags allow swimming. On US beaches you can often see a purple flag - a sign that there are toxic jellyfish in the water. Even in the states, they install flags with black circles on a yellow background. This symbol warns of a large number of divers in the water in order to avoid injury to swimmers due to diving equipment.

Beaches of Russia

Russian tourists are more accustomed to seeing on the beaches of our country either a “Swimming is prohibited” sign or its absence. In the second case, everyone boldly runs into the water. On the more refined and modern beaches of Russia, which are often private territory hotels, you can see yellow or black (less often brown) flags. What does it mean? The blue flag on the beach (as it turned out) is a guarantee of the safety and cleanliness of the area. The presence of a yellow flag means that the area is being monitored rescue team. You can swim, but there is a danger of tides, storms, strong river currents, gyres, etc. The black flag completely prohibits swimming. Brown - warns of severe water contamination, which can be harmful to health.

Russian pride - Massandra and Yantarny beaches

In 2017, two beaches with the Blue Flag appeared in our country. With slow but sure steps we are approaching quality rest.

Massandra beach is located in Yalta (Southern coast of Crimea). It has long been considered the best equipped coastal recreation area in the city (including for people with disabilities) disabilities), but was awarded the award again this year. There is a swimming pool with running water, children's and sports grounds, a walking area, a cafe and restaurant, toilets, showers and trash cans. The territory, about 500 m long, is divided into 6 sectors by breakwaters. The safety of swimmers is kept under control by a team of rescuers.

For the second year in a row, the Anna Mine beach in the village of Yantarny, Kaliningrad region, has been awarded the Blue Flag. This place is strikingly different from the turbulent coastal areas of Zelenogorsk or Baltiysk. Opposite the beach there is a beautiful promenade where many happy mothers stroll with strollers. A wide sunbathing area is separated by small sand dunes from a small lake. There is a separate children's beach area with playgrounds and a lagoon for swimming children with insignificant depth.

"Anna Mine" is a picturesque area near the place where amber was mined in the pre-war years. Many tourists claim that if you walk for a long, long time along the coast of the beach, you can find a small fiery yellow pebble playing beautifully in the sun.

Instead of drawing a conclusion, I would like to note that our country has a huge amount of recreational resources. The condition of beaches, as part of these resources, largely depends on the population. You can clean the banks of a river or sea 10 times a day, and place trash cans at every step. It’s clean not where they clean, but where they don’t litter.

(1 ratings, average: 5,00 out of 5)

When you go abroad with a worthy mission - to get a nice bronze tan, you don’t immediately, but you pay attention to some strange flags hanging there. As it turns out, they are there not just for beauty (although they add brightness and festivity with their appearance). In fact, each color of the flag (on the beach) and even its shape has a certain
important for vacationers.

You can swim

  • Blue flag
  • Green flag
  • Yellow/orange flag.
  • White flag

Swimming is prohibited

  • Red flag
  • Purple/blue flag.

For the convenience of vacationers, the meaning of the same flags on the beaches different countries the same.

What flags can you swim under on the beach?

  • (can be with a picture)

Beaches marked with the Blue Flag are beaches that have passed 32 international criteria that are responsible for environmental cleanliness, meaning that the beach is well equipped and freely accessible to vacationers. The blue flag also comes with an additional white stripe pattern. This means that this beach is characterized by increased comfort.

There are almost no beaches approved by the Blue Flag award on the territory of Russia and Ukraine. The maximum that can be seen on the beaches of these countries is the Blue Flag with a pattern of shells (most often, three shells). This flag only means deluxe beach.

  • Green flag on the beach

Entry into the water is permitted. The water is calm, the wind is within normal limits. If a beach is equipped and clearly maintained, but has no visible flags, it is presumably worthy of a green flag.

  • Yellow/orange flag.

There will be waves or strong currents in the sea today. The lifeguards present on the beach may (at their discretion) prevent vacationers from entering the water.

  • White flag

You can swim in the waters of the beach where such a flag stands.

Under what flags is swimming in the sea prohibited?

  • Red flag

Swimming is prohibited today.

  • Purple/blue flag.

Animals or other living creatures (sharks, stingrays, jellyfish, snakes, etc.) that are dangerous to life and health have appeared off the coast.

  • Brown (sometimes orange) flag.

The local beach or coastal area is polluted. For example, an oil slick was discovered off the coast of a beach.

  • Double red flag

Increased degree of danger. Entry into the water is prohibited.

Variants of danger for which a red flag may be raised:

  • Dangerous flora or fauna in the water near the beach (sharks, dangerous jellyfish, crocodiles, etc.).
  • The beginning of the hunting season for the local marine fauna: sharks hunt fur seals and so on.
  • The period of ebb and flow, which can drag a swimmer far from the shore.
  • The appearance of quicksand on the beach.
  • Formation of whirlpools or whirlpools in the water near the shore.
  • Black flag or ball

Shark attacks on humans have been recorded in the waters of this beach. It is strictly prohibited to enter the water.

Information flags on the beaches

This is how surfing spots are marked. It is not advisable to swim in the area limited by such flags in ordinary swimming trunks - you may run into a surfer.

  • Flag with a black circle on a yellow background.

On US beaches within the area marked by these flags, riding heavy boards (surfing) is prohibited.

  • Red-yellow flag.

These flags on the beaches of the USA and Australia mark the area controlled by lifeguards. Outside the area marked with red and yellow flags, vacationers in the water are responsible for themselves.

  • Blue triangular flag.

Similar flags are common on beaches. They indicate that there is a certain danger in the waters of the designated beach: strong waves or currents.


In addition to the above colored flags, flags are also installed on beaches that indicate the degree of threat from sharks in coastal waters. The flag has an outline of a shark and a different color background: green, red, black and white.

It's time to find out which beaches in the world received the prestigious international Blue Flag award this year. Where will we sunbathe and swim in the most environmentally friendly and comfortable environment?

So... Drum roll!

Spain was simply overwhelmed with “Blue Flags” for the 2018 season - it is in first place, and it has 590 awards. In Greece, 519 ideal beaches were noted. Türkiye also broke into the top three with 459 beaches. In fourth place is France, and 399 Blue Flags are now flying here. Italy closes the TOP 5 countries with the best beaches (368 beaches). Next come Portugal, Denmark, Croatia, Ireland, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Cyprus, Mexico, Israel, South Africa, Dominican Republic, Montenegro... In Russia, only 7 beaches were awarded, and in Ukraine - 14.

Beaches with Blue Flags are not only distinguished by the cleanliness of their sand and water, which are constantly checked until the end of the season (until September 1 - 30, depending on the resort). They are equipped with changing cabins, showers, sun loungers and umbrellas, and rescue stations. There are no industrial enterprises nearby, only natural beauty, parks, cafes, parking lots and great hotels. Ideal for the whole family! Which ones deserve special attention? We have compiled the TOP 10 eco-beaches in the world with recommended hotels. Choose!

Playa de Muro on the island. Majorca

Picturesque, long spanish beach Playa de Muro in the north of Mallorca - true paradise for families with small children. There is soft snow-white sand, a clean and warm Mediterranean Sea, and a gentle entrance to the water. In the morning there is calm, and after 16 o'clock there are waves with which you can play. To get to sea ​​depth, you will have to walk about 50 meters. The beach has showers, toilets, cafes, sun loungers and umbrellas. You can roast under the sun, or you can wonderfully relax in the shade of spreading pine trees. Well, on the streets along this beach you will find restaurants, shops, attractions for children - trampolines, electric motorcycles, carousels.

Nikolina Beach (Nikolina Beach) in Croatia

Nikolina Beach, in the municipality of Baska Voda (Makarska Riviera), is not only the most popular beach in the resort, but also in almost all of Croatia. The small pebble coast is surrounded by majestic mountain range Biokovo is surrounded by palm trees and lush pine trees and is washed by the cool waters of the clear Adriatic Sea. There are rescuers and an ambulance, there are changing cabins, showers, toilets, sun loungers and umbrellas, a water entertainment center, a beach bar, fruit and ice cream shops. Along the beach you can find cafes, pizzerias and restaurants, a playground with trampolines, and bicycle rentals.

Vale de Centeanes beach in Portugal

Vale de Centeanes, one of the best urban beaches in Portugal, awarded this season with a Blue Flag, is located on the sandy ocean coast of Carvoeiro.

On one side it is surrounded by the blue waters of the Atlantic, and on the other by high rocks, sharpened by the sea and wind, with natural grottoes and arches. Its advantage is that there are no constant landings of tourists on boats next to it. The water is very clean, suitable for small children. The downside is that during peak season there can be a lot of tourists.

The cliffs offer incredible views of the ocean. At the entrance to the beach there is a restaurant, a kiosk with drinks and ice cream, toilets, parking, and a gentle slope to the coast for people with disabilities.

Vai Beach on the island. Crete

In every region of the island of Crete, in Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, there are magnificent, clean beaches awarded with Blue Flags. It’s worth visiting the pink coast of Elafonisi (with the obligatory annual eco-award) at least once, as well as the incredibly beautiful Balos Lagoon.

The beautiful Matala beach is located in a cozy bay of the Libyan Sea, in the south of the island. It is surrounded by cliffs with numerous caves where hippies once lived. The Rolling Stones performed here.

The favorite of all holidaymakers on the island of Crete is the palm-lined beach of Vai, with golden sand and a grove of green date palms. This year he is again with the Blue Flag. Although it is located in the very east of the island, where, for example, it takes a very long time to get to it from the other end of Crete. The beach is equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas, changing cabins and showers. There are bars and taverns, parking.

"Massandra" beach in Yalta

For the first time, “Massandra” beach, located on South Coast Crimea, was awarded the Blue Flag in 2010. The certificate was confirmed in 2016, 2017 and now in 2018. This means that the cleanliness of the water and the quality of services on the Yalta coast are invariably above all praise.

The length of the Massandra beach is about 500 meters. 6 breakwaters divide it into six well-maintained, comfortable sectors. There is free entry to the beach, there is a rental of sun loungers and umbrellas, as well as personal bungalows, many cafes, restaurants from the simplest to the most sophisticated, a children's pool and playground, showers, toilets. Frequent guests of the coastal zone are Black Sea dolphins. Many people call this beach “Little Europe”. Recommended for holidays with children.

Kumburnu Beach in Oludeniz, Türkiye

The Turkish village of Oludeniz, 15 km from Fethiye, is famous not only for its unforgettable landscapes over which paragliders fly, but also for its wonderful beaches with Blue Flags.

The Kumburnu sand spit (a continuation of Belcekiz beach), a peninsula cutting into the sea, was awarded the Blue Flag and belongs to the national natural park " Blue Lagoon" The left side of the braid is washed Mediterranean Sea, with free entry and sun lounger rental. The right side embraces a shallow bay with warm water, and this is already the territory natural park with paid entrance. The place is ideal for a holiday with small children. Here you can rent a catamaran, see fish and Caretta-Caretta turtles.

There are many quality beaches in Oludeniz! Choose depending on your preferences and budget.

Canal d'Amour beach on the island. Corfu, Greece

Canal d'Amour - famous landmark Greek island Corfu with the prestigious Blue Flag award. The Love Channel is definitely worth a visit. Especially if you are looking for your soulmate or want to perpetuate your existing love.

It is located in the resort town of Sidari and is a narrow sea strait surrounded by wild steep cliffs. Thanks to the sea, caves and tunnels formed in the rocks. The bank of the canal has golden soft sand and a small grove. Due to the influx of tourists, it is well equipped - it has sun loungers, beach umbrellas and other amenities. There are taverns and bars nearby, where you will be offered delicious traditional Greek dishes and drinks. You can also sunbathe on the rocks themselves.

Here you can meet families with children, because... The entry into the sea is shallow and gentle, there are never waves, and the water is warm.

Blue Beach in Budva Riviera, Montenegro

Of all the beaches in Montenegro, the Budva Riviera received the most awards. Among those awarded are certain sections of the picturesque Jaz Bay, which is about as popular as Copacabana in Brazil, and is considered almost the most beautiful in Montenegro. Madonna and the Rolling Stones performed at the concert venue here, and there is an atmosphere of endless celebration. Despite the distance from Budva, there are always plenty of vacationers here.

Plavo Plaza or Blue Beach is a well-equipped area of ​​wide sandy beach Language The beach has modest parameters (only about 150 meters in length), but it has been awarded the Blue Flag for many years now. Equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas, changing rooms, showers, rescue station, parking lot. There is a children's playground and a cafe. The entrance to the sea is sandy and gently sloping.

Together with Blue Beach, the neighboring beaches Escarella Beach and C&I Beach Life received Blue Flags.

Baia Blu beach in Lerici (Liguria), Italy

The Italian beach Spiaggia Baia Blu in the San Terenzo area is incredibly picturesque! It is located between the capes of Punta Santa Teresa and Punta Galera. Transparent, sparkling waters the clearest sea washed by a beautiful curve of sandy coastline, framed by ancient oak trees and olive groves. No wonder there are so many positive reviews about it!

The beach is small, only 200 meters long, but well equipped: there are sun loungers and umbrellas for rent, free showers, toilets, changing rooms, 3 bars, a restaurant, 2 parking lots and even a compressor for inflating mattresses and balls.

If you go from San Terenzo towards Lerici, you will find several more beaches awarded the Blue Flag. For example, Venere Azzura Beach (Blue Venus Beach). It is equipped with rental of umbrellas and sun loungers, pedal boats, animation and cafes. Moving further towards Fiascherino, you will find the exclusive beach with the Blue Flag Eco del Mare.

Beach Shakhta Anna, in Yantarny, Kaliningrad

The pride of the Kaliningrad region is the Anna Mine beach in the village of Yantarny, winner of the Blue Flag 2018. A wide beach strip 300 meters long is strewn with soft white sand. The entrance to the water is gentle, the Baltic Sea is almost always calm.

The beach has wooden decks for easy movement, there are showers and drinking fountains, changing rooms and benches, a children's playground, and areas for beach sports. You can sunbathe on the sand, or you can rent a sun lounger, which comes with an umbrella and towel. Families should try out the unusual “soft baskets” for sunbathing, which can fit two or even three people.

Next to this wonderful beach you will find parking and a cafe, a lake and the chic green park of Maurice Becker.

In everything that concerns beach holiday, you can argue about tastes for a very long time: someone likes to bask on the sand, and someone sincerely loves pebbles, someone visits only the closed beaches of five-star hotels, and someone even goes to nudist beaches. But there is one single criterion that is important for everyone - the cleanliness of the water and coastline.

How to find a truly eco-friendly beach? International certificates are faithful helpers in this matter. The main marker of purity in this matter since 1987 has been the Blue Flag. Blue Flag on the Beach: What does it mean? The Blue Flag is a prestigious international award confirming that a beach, harbor or marina meets the highest standards of quality.

The initiative belongs to France, and the procedure is managed by the non-profit non-governmental organization Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). European beaches are annually certified before the start swimming season, the awards ceremony takes place on June 5th. In total, 3.6 thousand beaches and 677 harbors in 45 countries can boast “Blue Flags” in the world, including such popular tourist destinations as Cyprus, Tunisia, Israel, etc.

In 2018, only one beach in Russia received the prestigious mark. It is located in the village of Yantarny, Kaliningrad region, and has received the award for the third time in a row. However, the beaches of Yalta have already been included in the nomination, and last year the beach areas of Sochi joined the competition. Beaches marked with a blue flag have been certified on 27 points, including water quality, safety level, environmental management, the presence of ramps and toilets for wheelchair users, etc.

Other flags on the beach: to avoid confusion

Flags of other colors usually indicate the degree of danger on the water. The International Safety Alert System is adopted in all countries of the world.

Red the color, as you might guess, indicates danger - swimming is prohibited for one reason or another. A double red flag indicates increased danger. These include not only sharks and all kinds of fauna, but also powerful tidal currents that can carry them into the open sea, quicksand, and whirlpools.

Beach holidays are perhaps one of the most popular types of holidays in the world. Many people prefer to relax in seaside towns to have the opportunity to enjoy the warm sun and gentle sea. But how not to make a mistake in choosing such a place? The beach quality mark, the Blue Flag award, will help in this matter.

This is an award that is given annually to beaches and marinas (piers) for meeting water quality and cleanliness standards designed for safe swimming. This status is a non-profit, non-state award, which is managed by the Environmental Education Foundation.

A little bit of history. France is considered the birthplace of the Blue Flag beach quality mark. It was here that the awards took place for the first time in 1985. And since 1987, it began to be awarded all over the world. Today, 48 countries are already participating in the award, and the number of participants is steadily growing every year.

The award takes place on June 5 for countries located in the Northern Hemisphere and November 1 for countries located in the Southern Hemisphere. This year, more than 3,700 beaches and piers in 48 countries received this status. In 2012, Spain became the leader in the number of beaches on which this flag flaunts, with 539 beaches and 83 berths; in the upcoming season, this number reaches 550 beaches and 97 berths.

Russia can also boast of having a “Blue Flag” on its beaches and piers on the Black Sea coast - there are five in Yalta, five in Yevpatoria, one each in Ilyichevsk and Sevastopol. And also “Tsarskaya Pristan” in Sevastopol also received a quality mark. Also, another berth of the Terijoki yacht club in St. Petersburg received a quality mark.

What guarantees this status? The beach on which this flag proudly flies guarantees vacationers:

  • free entrance;
  • weekly testing of water for purity;
  • sand is periodically cleaned and debris is collected;
  • the beach has its own rescue and surveillance service;
  • if necessary, first aid can be provided directly on the beach;
  • availability of showers;
  • lack of motor transport;
  • pets use a private beach.

Today, the following countries can boast of having this beach quality mark: Canada, Croatia, Bahamas, Bulgaria, Brazil, Denmark, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, England, Wales, France, Finland, Greece, Germany, Italy, Poland, Norway, Turkey, Sweden, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Morocco, Malta, Tunisia, Belgium and many others.

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