Background

The Blue Flag program is an international initiative that grants quality labels to bathing beaches around the world.
It was first launched in France in 1985, inspired by the project “Message to the Sea”, in which students placed notes inside bottles and threw them into the Atlantic Ocean so that they would reach different shores and raise awareness about human destruction of the sea. (The logo of the Blue Flag program was developed from the Message to the Sea logo).

The program is managed by FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education), an international non-governmental environmental organization . FEE inspects beaches every year and either grants or removes the Blue Flag status. The label is valid for only one year and must be renewed annually.

Criteria for receiving the “Blue Flag” label
A beach that has been awarded the Blue Flag meets the following requirements:

1. Water quality – Frequent water sampling is required. The beach must be free of sewage or industrial discharge, and the level of E. coli bacteria must remain below the limits set by FEE. The beach must also be free of litter and pollution.
2. Environmental management – The beach must comply with 15 ecological requirements designed to protect the natural environment.
3. Rescue, safety, and additional services – A lifeguard must be present, along with a first aid station and proper preparations for emergencies.
The fulfillment of these requirements is indicated on signs displayed at the beaches , .

The program also evaluates marinas, using similar criteria.

Countries
The program is especially active in Europe, particularly in Mediterranean countries. In 2024, the country with the largest number of Blue Flag beaches was Spain (over 600), followed by Turkey, Greece , Portugal , Italy, France, and also Israel (about 60 beaches) .
Worldwide, the program operates in more than 50 countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Denmark, Germany, India, Japan, Jordan, Morocco, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and more. (In the vast United States, only two beaches have received the award).