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Nelson Mandela Bay keeps Blue Flag status for three beaches

Published

Kings Beach, Humewood Beach and Hobie Beach keep their Blue Flag status for the 2026/27 season. Humewood Beach now has 25 consecutive years in the international programme, the municipality said.

The accreditation was recognised at the national Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards at Grotto Beach in Hermanus. Mayor Babalwa Lobishe said in a statement that the metro sees its beaches as critical to economic growth. The municipality said the status will strengthen its coastal tourism offering before the summer holidays.

The municipality allocated R5.6 million to beach maintenance and upgrades in the current financial year. It said the ISUZU IRONMAN African Championship at Hobie Beach in April 2026 injected more than R87 million into the local economy. The event also produced 20 787 verified overnight stays.

Kings Beach will host the Lifesaving World Championships from 25 November to 13 December 2026. The municipality expects 2 500 competitors and estimates the event will generate R350 million in economic activity.

The 2025/26 cruise season brought 39 international vessels to the metro. They carried 59 077 passengers and 22 994 crew members. The municipality estimates the season contributed R111 million, up from R96.5 million the season before.

Key facts

Who
Babalwa Lobishe (Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality); Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (municipality that retained Blue Flag status)
What
The municipality retained Blue Flag status for three beaches, with Humewood Beach reaching 25 consecutive years in the programme. The accreditation was recognised at the national Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards held recently at Grotto Beach in Hermanus.
When
23 October 2026
Where
Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape, Hermanus
Status
Reported

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