The blue flag is an award given by the European Foundation for Environmental Education to define the quality of beaches and marinas at a global level. Beaches and marinas with the blue flag have fulfilled a series of requirements, such as excellent water quality, environmental services, disabled Access and health and safety services.
La Marina beach. By visitelche.com
Spain is the leader amongst the 44 countries which use the blue flag to determine the quality of their marinas and beaches.
One in every six of the blue flags awarded worldwide are for Spanish beaches. In fact, Spain has 686 blue flags (586 for beaches and 100 for marinas) followed by France (498), Turkey (465), Greece (439) and Italy (359).
La Zenia, Orihuela Costa
The Costa Blanca has 62 beaches and 13 marinas with the blue flag which represents 11% of the Country´s total. Amongst the blue flag awarded beaches you can find: 9 in Orihuela Costa, 5 in Torrevieja, 5 in Santa Pola, 5 in Elche, 5 in VillaJoyosa, 4 in Alicante, 4 in Guardamar, 4 in Denia, 3 in Benidorm, 3 in Calpe, 3 in Javea, 3 in Teulada, 3 in Pilar de la Horadada, 2 in El Campello, 2 in Altea, 1 in Finestrat, 1 in Alfaz del Pi and 1 in Benissa.
On the Costa Calida you can visit 40 beaches and 2 marinas with the blue flag: 11 beaches in Cartagena, 7 in Mazarron, 7 in Aguilas, 6 in Los Alcazares, 6 in San Javier and 3 in San Pedro del Pinatar. The two awarded marinas are to be found in Aguilas.
