Wales has more Blue Flag beaches per mile than anywhere else in the UK

Wales has more Blue Flag beaches per mile than anywhere else in the UK.

Keep Wales Tidy unveiled the 86 coastal areas that have met the high standards needed to receive the prestigious Blue Flag, Green Coast Award and Seaside Award – a total of 102 awards for Wales.

Across the country, 44 Blue Flags are flying at 40 beaches, three marinas and one boat tour operator, meaning that Wales once again has more Blue Flags per mile than anywhere else in the UK.

The iconic Blue Flag is a world-renowned eco-label owned by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

  • What does a blue flag mean?

Blue flags are generally considered the ‘gold standard’ for beaches across the world.

It helps set the standard high for beaches, marinas and boat tour operators.

The Blue Flag Programme was started inFrance in 1985. It has been operating in Europe since 1987 and in areas outside of Europe since 2001. Theprogramme is currently in operation in 46 countries across the world.

The programme requires that beaches meet a list of 33 minimum criteria. The criteria includes water quality, environmental management, safety and services.

18 beaches in Wales have gained the Green Coast Award, recognising the ‘hidden gems’ along the coastline. They include Silver Bay on Anglesey, after Silver Bay Holiday Village became the first private business to apply for a coast award on behalf of a beach.

Barafundle Bay makes the list Credit: PA Images

Here is a list of all the blue flag beaches in Wales:

Pembrokeshire

  • Amroth

  • Newgale

  • Saundersfoot

  • Dale

  • Whitesands

  • Coppet Hall

  • Tenby North

  • Tenby South

  • Tenby Castle

  • Poppit Sands

  • Lydstep

Swansea

  • Caswell Bay

  • Langland Bay

  • Port Eynon

  • Swansea Marina

  • Aberystwyth North

Ceredigion

  • Aberystwyth North

  • Borth

  • Llangrannog

  • New Quay Harbour

  • Tresaith

Carmarthenshire

  • Cefn Sidan

Conwy

  • Llandudno West Shore

  • Llanfairfechan

  • Penmaenmawr

  • Rhos, Colwyn Bay

A Blue Flag show locals and visitors that they have arrived at a clean, safe and beautiful beach. Credit: Keep Wales Tidy

Denbighshire

  • Prestatyn Blue Flag

Gwynedd

  • Barmouth (Abermaw)

  • Abersoch

  • Cricceith Traethy Promenade

  • Dinas Dinlle

  • Morfa Bychan (Black RockSands)

  • Pwllheli

Bridgend

  • Rest Bay

  • Porthcawl Marina

  • Trecco Bay

Rest Bay is popular with surfers and and kite surfers. Credit: PA Images

Anglesey

  • Benllech

  • Church Bay / Porth Swtan

  • Llanddwyn

  • Llanddonna

  • Trearddur Bay

  • Porth Dafarch

  • Rib Ride

Vale of Glamorgan

  • Southerndown

  • Penarth Marina