Four KwaDukuza beaches have earned Blue Flag status for the 2026/27 season, with a fifth awarded pilot status.

Willard Beach in Ballito, Thompson’s Bay in Chaka’s Rock, Salt Rock Main Beach and Club Med Tinley Manor Beach can all officially fly the blue flag.

Tinley Manor Main Beach has been awarded pilot status, with KwaDukuza municipality (KDM) hoping to achieve full accreditation for the beach by next year. Blythedale Beach, which held Blue Flag status in 2025/26, lost its accreditation following findings of poor seawater quality.

Blue Flag accreditation is based on several criteria, including beach facilities, seawater quality, environmental management and education and lifeguard services. The programme is administered by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), which awarded Blue Flag status to 62 beaches nationwide at an event in Hermanus last week. KwaDukuza is one of 11 municipalities in the country with at least one Blue Flag beach.

KDM mayor Siduduzo Gumede said he was proud of the results.

“I have said time and again that KwaDukuza is steadily becoming the face of the province and it is no longer just a preferred tourism destination, but one of the country’s fastest-growing economies,” he said.

“Our Blue Flag beaches are part of that story as they draw visitors, investment and jobs to the North Coast.”