Blue Flags to Rise on Three US Beaches this Summer
Wilmington, NC, (April 30, 2026) – Blue Flags will rise on three US beaches for the 2026 award season. The American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) has today announced the award recipients for the international Blue Flag Award. All three sites awarded last year retain the Blue Flag status for the 2026 season. The Blue Flag awards go to Westward Beach in Malibu, California; Spanish River Park Beach in Boca Raton, Florida; and Delray Beach Municipal Beach in Delray Beach, Florida.
Two beach sites, Delray Beach Municipal Beach and Westward Beach, have achieved the award for the fourth season in a row
“Sustaining the Blue Flag recognition reflects the consistent work our teams put into maintaining safe, clean, and well-managed beaches for the public,” said Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors Director and American Shore and Beach Preservation Association President Gary Jones. “Westward Beach represents our commitment to ensuring our iconic beaches are clean, accessible and welcoming to all.”
“Earning the Blue Flag designation for a fourth consecutive season reflects Delray Beach’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and excellence,” said Mayor Tom Carney of the City of Delray Beach. “We are proud to provide a beach that meets the highest international standards while preserving our coastline for future generations.”
One beach site, Spanish River Park Beach, has achieved the award for the second year in a row marking Palm Beach County Florida again the county with the most Blue Flag Beaches.
“Boca Raton is honored to be recognized as a Blue Flag Beach for the second consecutive year,” said Mayor Andy Thomson of the City of Boca Raton. “This global recognition reflects our continued commitment to outstanding water quality, environmental stewardship, public safety, and exceptional amenities for our community and visitors.
“The Palm Beaches are home to more Blue Flag-designated beaches than any other county in the U.S., and that distinction reflects the care we take in protecting our coastal resources,” said Milton Segarra, CDME, president and CEO of Discover The Palm Beaches, the tourism marketing organization for Palm Beach County. “As Florida’s Sea Turtle Capital, our Blue Flag beaches contribute to our broader commitment to safeguarding our coastline while attracting visitors from around the world.”
“This designation reflects the high standards of clean water, beach safety and responsible coastal management that visitors and residents alike have come to expect when experiencing The Palm Beaches,” emphasized Segarra.
Blue Flag
The Blue Flag Award is one of the most recognised tourism management awards in the world. The international accolade is run by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and administered in the continental US, Alaska, and Hawaii by the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA). The award aims to recognize sites for their quality, management, and services offered to visitors. Sites must maintain over 30 criteria in the areas of environmental education, water quality, environmental management, and safety.
“We are proud to see U.S. communities recognized for exceeding national standards and providing additional ways to connect with their unique coastal habitats,” said Annie Mercer, program coordinator for the ASBPA. “Beaches are the top tourist attraction in the U.S. attracting 3.4 billion visitors annually. Local management works tirelessly to balance environmental management with leisure activities to ensure a high quality experience for residents and visitors alike.”
As a National Operator for the Blue Flag program, ASBPA supports sites in understanding criteria, documenting processes, and submitting application materials. ASBPA works to preserve, protect, and enhance our coasts by merging science and public policy. “The Blue Flag award highlights ASBPA’s mission of advocating for healthy beaches.” explained Nicole Elko, Executive Director, “For 100 years, ASBPA has acknowledged local coastal community management. The Blue Flag award is a great addition to our coastal project awards-Best Restored Beaches and Best Restored Shores.”
The Blue Flag Program is introducing a temporary two-year certification cycle for the 2026–2027 seasons in response to evolving international accreditation and EU regulatory requirements, notably ISO/IEC 17065:2012 and Directive (EU) 2024/825. The Blue Flag awarded in 2026 may remain valid for the 2027 season, subject to continued compliance, annual monitoring, and annual review. Interested sites can apply in September for awards in the 2027 season. All new applicants undergo full application and evaluation.
Award Winners
Westward Beach, which spans from Zuma Lagoon to Birdview Avenue, in Malibu, will fly the Blue Flag from May 1 through September 30, 2026 (image courtesy of County of Los Angeles Department of Beaches and Harbors).
The stretch of Delray Beach Municipal Beach between Casuarina Road and Laing Street will see the Blue Flag raised from May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027 (image courtesy of the City of Delray Beach).
Spanish River Beach Park, South from Tower 18 to the southern boundary of the park, has been awarded for May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027 (image courtesy of the City of Boca Raton).
Flag raising ceremonies and environmental education events will be coordinated by local sites in support of raising awareness and active participation in stewarding recreational sites. Sites in the Blue Flag USA program participate in four stages of engagement between the host location and the USA program: Interest, Candidate, Applicant, and Award. Learn more at blueflag.us.
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American Shore & Beach Preservation Association – ASBPA Advocating for Healthy Coastlines – is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and enhancing our coasts by merging science and public policy. asbpa.org. Follow us @asbpassoc, @AmericanBeaches, @ASBPA.
Blue Flag USA – The Blue Flag eco-award is one of five environmental education programs offered by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). The award is offered to beaches, marinas, and tourism boats meeting over 30 criteria for water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, safety and services, sustainable tourism, and social responsibility. The Blue Flag USA program is responsible for sites in the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. blueflag.us/