Blue Flag USA

Blue Flags to Rise on Three US Beaches this Summer

Wilmington, NC, (April 22, 2025) – Blue Flags will rise on three US beaches for the 2025/2026 award season. The Blue Flag awards for 2025 go to Westward Beach in Malibu, California; Spanish River Park beach in Boca Raton, Florida; and Delray Beach Municipal Beach in Delray Beach, Florida. 

 

“We are so proud to fly the Blue Flag over Westward Beach for another summer,” Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors Director Gary Jones said. “This honor doesn’t just say that Westward Beach is clean, safe and welcoming for visitors—it also recognizes our staff’s dedication to caring for our coast.”

 

“The City of Boca Raton has long been dedicated to environmental stewardship, especially preservation of our beautiful beaches. The Blue Flag designation will provide increased visibility to the quality, safety, and world-class educational programming offered at our beaches to residents and visitors alike” stated the City Manager’s Office.

 

“Receiving the Blue Flag award is a testament to our city’s commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and excellence in beach management. This recognition is not just about having a beautiful shoreline—it’s about protecting our natural resources, ensuring clean waters, and providing a safe and enjoyable experience for our residents and visitors.” stated Missie Barletto, Director of Public Works for the City of Delray Beach, “We are incredibly proud to be among the best-managed beaches in the world, and this award reflects the dedication of our community, staff, and partners who work tirelessly to keep our beaches pristine for generations to come.”

 

Blue Flag

The Blue Flag Award is one of the most recognized 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 annual 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.”

 

Award Winners

Westward Beach, which spans from Zuma Lagoon to Birdview Avenue, in Malibu, will fly the Blue Flag from May 27 through September 30, 2025.
The stretch of Delray Beach Municipal Beach between Casuarina Road and Laing Street will see the Blue Flag raised from May 1, 2025, through April 30, 2026.
First time award winner Spanish River Park beach, South from Tower 18 to the southern boundary of the park, has been awarded for May 1, 2025, through April 30, 2026.

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/