Brazil has achieved a new record of certifications in the Blue Flag Program, one of the most recognized awards in the world as a seal of excellence for beaches and marinas in each country, rewarding those with the greatest commitment to sustainability, safety and respect for visitors.
In total, 49 sites were recognized for their commitment to environmental preservation and sustainable tourism, including 38 beaches and 11 marinas. The result consolidates the country as a leader in environmental certifications for coastal destinations in South America.
The approvals are part of the 2024/2025 season and include destinations in the states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina, Bahia, Alagoas and Ceará. The national Blue Flag award ceremony will take place on November 1 in Salvador (BA).
The quality seal is awarded each year by an international jury in 50 countries to recognize the good management of beach tourist destinations. The latest evaluation - valid for the 2023/2024 summer season - produced a list of 38 beaches and 11 marinas featured throughout Brazil.
Embratur President Marcelo Freixo welcomed the result, the fruit of intense work to develop sustainable tourism in Brazil. "The Government is working in collaboration with states and municipalities in this process of qualifying our destinations and making our beaches more sustainable. The international recognition of this effort reinforces Brazil's role as a benchmark for sustainability in tourism, while helping us attract more and more foreign tourists, who now have high levels of demand in relation to sustainability," said Freixo.
The Blue Flag Program evaluates strict criteria established by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), focusing on environmental management, water quality, environmental education, safety and services, sustainable tourism and responsibility. Destinations are evaluated by a national and an international jury. To receive the award, beaches and marinas must demonstrate each year that they meet the following criteria:
Water quality and compliance with sampling standards to ensure that they are suitable for bathing;
The existence of sanitary facilities in good condition;
The beach must have waste bins with waste separation;
The environment must be kept clean, free of algae and plant debris;
The presence of lifeguards and first aid services is valued;
The presence of unauthorized vehicles and tents is undesirable;
All beach equipment and buildings must be in good condition;
At least six educational activities for the community must be carried out on site;
Information on the Blue Flag certification must be displayed to the visiting public, as well as data on water quality;
There must be a guarantee of safety in accessing and using the beach;
Mandatory rules for living with dogs and other animals on the beach must be established and communicated;
There must be a source of drinking water;
If the municipality has more than one Blue Flag beach, at least one must have facilities (access and toilets) for people with motor disabilities.
By state, the beaches of Brazil distinguished by the “Blue Flag” Program for the next summer season are the following:
Santa Catarina
São Francisco do Sul: Praia de Ervino, Praia do Forte, Praia Grande and Praia da Saudade
Camboriu: Praia de Estaleiro, Praia de Estaleirinho and Praia de Taquaras
Bombinhas: Praia de Quatro Ilhas, Praia de Mariscal and Praia de Conceição
Piçarras: Praia de Piçarras and Praia de Ponta do Jacques
Itá: Prainha de Itá
Florianópolis: Lagoa do Peri
Governador Celso Ramos: Praia das Cordas and Praia Grande
Penha: Praia da Bacia da Vovó, Praia da Saudade and Praia Grande
Rio de Janeiro
Buzios: Azeda Azedinha, Tucuns and Praia do Forno
Iguaba Grande: Ubás
São Beach Pedro da Aldeia: Praia das Pedras de Sapiatiba
Rio de Janeiro: Grumari, Prainha and Praia da Reserva (Nelson Mandela stretch)
Cabo Frio: Peró Beach
Niteroi: Sossego Beach
Saquarema: Praia das Pedras de Itaúna
Arraial do Cabo: Lagunar Caiçara
Bahía
Guarajuba: Praia de Paraíso
Itacimirim: Praia de Espera
Salvador: Praia de Ponta de Nossa Senhora de and Praia da Viração
Alagoas
Porto de Pedras: Praia do Patacho
Ceará
Caucaia: Praia de Cumbuco
San Pablo
Guarujá: Praia do Tombo
The Blue Flag Program is coordinated by the Foundation for Environmental Education and, in Brazil since 2005, by the Institute for Networked Environments. In addition to Embratur, the program’s national jury includes the Institute for Networked Environments, the Ministry of Tourism, the Federal Heritage Secretariat (SPU), the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the Brazilian Association of State Environmental Entities (Abema), the National Association of Municipalities and the Environment (Anamma), the Brazilian Aquatic Rescue Society, the Brazilian Coastal Management Agency and the Brazilian Nautical Association. The international jury includes, among others, the Foundation for Environmental Education, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the European Union for Coastal Conservation (EUCC).
How to get
there From Argentina, there are direct flights to all the destinations mentioned above.
Award-winning beaches in South America
In addition to Brazil, the other South American countries that appear on the Blue Flag list this season are: Colombia (8 beaches), Chile (3 beaches) and Argentina (2 beaches). Specifically in Argentina, two beach resorts in Mar del Plata received the “Blue Flag” distinction: Mediterráneo, in Punta Mogotes, and San Sebastián, in La Perla.
Source: Embratur.