We’re lucky in this part of Wales to have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Wales is wonderful, and whether you are looking for the right places to go for a swim, surfing and other watersports, or just for a calm and peaceful walk along the beach, there is plenty of locations to choose from. Blue Flag beaches are a standard, a sign of quality, and there are 20 Blue Flag beaches in Wales, 10 of which are in Pembrokeshire.
What is a Blue Flag award?
Blue Flag is one of the most recognised awards in the world of tourism. It is a marker of high quality, a voluntary award for beaches, marinas, and sustainable tourism boats. When you are searching for summer holidays, the concept of Blue Flag comes up quite a lot, and it is something that you should be aware of, signifying quality. The awards first started in France back in 1985, but you’ll now find Blue Flag beaches in over 50 countries around the world. Twice a year, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) meets to discuss that years nominations and existing Blue Flag locations.
What is a Blue Flag beach?
Blue Flag beaches indicate a sign of quality. A beach with a Blue Flag is safe and clean, has quality water that is safe to swim in, good amenities, and there are other criteria that must be met too, including:
Environmental education
Information about the Blue Flag programme must be clearly displayed at the entrance to the beach, including information about bathing water quality, local eco-systems and environmental phenomena, and a code of conduct including local laws governing use of the beach. There must also be educational activities offered and promoted to beach users.
Water quality
The beach must comply with the water quality sampling and frequency requirements, allowing to test for water quality analysis. There must be no industrial, waste-water or sewage discharge affecting the beach area. It must comply with Blue Flag requirements for physical and chemical parameters, and requirements for microbiological parameters.
Environmental management
There should be a beach management committee that complies with Blue Flag regulations relating to the operation of the beach. It must be clean, with adequate provision of waste disposal bins and containers and facilities for separate recyclable waste. There must be clean toilet provision, controlled animal access to the beaches, a sustainable transportation method to the beach promoted, and no camping or dumping of waste on the beach. Any algae vegetation and natural debris must be left on the beach intact.
Safety
There must be an adequate number of lifeguards and/or lifesaving equipment on and around the beach, along with First Aid equipment. Management of the beach is crucial, to prevent conflicts between beach guests. There must also be a supply of safe drinking water available to beach users.
Blue Flag beaches in Pembrokeshire
Luckily for you, there are 10 Blue Flag beaches in Pembrokeshire, an astounding amount. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park brings in tourists from all over the world, with hiking trails along the rugged coast and beautiful beaches too. Here are some of the close blue flag beaches near our holiday cottages in Pembrokeshire.
Saundersfoot Beach
1 mile | 5 minute drive | 30 minute walk
The closest to Evening Star Cottages, Saundersfoot Beach is a pleasant stroll down the hill from our coastal accommodation. Halfway between Tenby and Amroth, Saundersfoot village is a delight. A wide, golden sand beach, rook pools and sea fishing from the shore, there is a lot to occupy you. A lovely walk along the beach with fish and chips towards Wiseman’s Bridge is a favourite of tourists and locals.
Amroth Beach
4.0 miles |10 minute drive |1 hour 20 minute walk
A sandy beach with a timeless coastal village that the beach stretches alongside. There is a low tide that provides you with perfect views of the Petrified Forest, with fossilised antlers, animal remains, and Neolithic flints from 7,000 years ago when the sea levels rose and destroyed the area. It’s a site worth visiting for. Amroth is also the starting point for the 186-mile Pembrokeshire Coastal Path.
Tenby Castle Beach
5.0 miles | 15 minute drive | 1 hour 40 minute walk
Tenby is blessed with four beautiful beaches, but for us this secluded, sandy beach is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the cobbled streets of the town during summer. You’ll find it on the south side of town between East Cliff and Castle Hill and is also the launching point for Caldey Island trips when the harbour is dry. When the tide is low, take the walk over to explore St Catherine’s Island.
Explore Pembrokeshire beaches from Evening Star Cottages
Whichever one of our beautiful coastal cottages you choose to stay in, you’ve got the perfect base to explore the Blue Flag beaches of Pembrokeshire. Book a cottage holiday today and we’ll be here to welcome you to Saundersfoot and the beaches close by.
FAQs
Who awards the Blue Flag to a beach?
The International Blue Flag Jury meets twice a year. It includes lifesavers, conservationists, and environmentalists who have been appointed by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). FEE is a non-profit aiming to promote sustainable development around the world.
Can a Blue Flag be taken away?
Each awarded flag is for a single season and can be withdrawn if it no longer meets the high standards set by FEE. It is rare that a Blue Flag is taken away, but it can happen and could be something minor that can be fixed before the next season.
How many Blue Flag beaches are there in Pembrokeshire?
There are 10 world-class, Blue Flag beaches in Pembrokeshire, half of the total of 20 Blue Flag beaches in Wales.