What does the blue flag on the beach mean? Flags on the beach, what do they mean? flag classification.

According to the list published by the organization Blue Flag programs, in 2017 the Russian beach became the winner of the award for the second time in a row "Amber", located in Kaliningrad region . Moreover, the list of the best was also Russian "Massandrovsky" beach in Yalta.

The total length of the coastline in Amber- six kilometers, a plot of three hectares has been allocated for an exemplary "blue-flag" beach - three hundred meters long and about a hundred wide, picturesque place near the old Anna mine, where amber was mined before the war. Nearby is a beach stadium with stands, cafes, parking and other amenities.

Beach "Yantarny" (Kaliningrad region)

The length of the beach complex "Massandrovsky" small, it is about 500 meters. The beach is divided by concrete breakwaters into six sectors. There are several cafes and restaurants, a swimming pool with running mountain water, a shower, a toilet and a playground.

However, domestic resorts are still far from the leaders of the rating. So, in the first place this year is Spain, which has 579 awarded beaches. On the second - Greece (485 beaches). France closes the top three (390 beaches). The top ten also included Turkey, Italy, Portugal, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany and Croatia.

An international award given annually since 1987 to beaches and marinas whose water meets high quality standards and is suitable for safe swimming. France is considered the birthplace of the Blue Flag, where the first award took place in 1985.

Beach "Yantarny" in the Kaliningrad region

Long-term observations show that people prefer to relax on clean sand and swim in clear water. The French were the first to appreciate this feature and in 1985 they established a certain certificate. beach quality as blue flag. That's what they called him.

Since 1987, Europe, represented by the EU, once again failed to resist the French fashion and joined the program blue flag.
In 2001, Europe was followed by the whole world and now 47 countries are participating in the program (49 countries were in May 2016). Except beaches the program assesses marinas (moorings of boats and yachts) and ships.

The program is run by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), an international federation for environmental education. Only she has the right to issue. The marina or ship receives the flag for one year, and the beach for the bathing season in the current year. A year later, they must all reaffirm their right to fly the blue flag. Update time blue flag certificates in the Northern Hemisphere annually in late May - early June. For the Southern Hemisphere and countries Caribbean this happens around November 1st.

Beach in Yantarny (Kaliningrad region)

Above which flutters blue flag, guarantees vacationers that

access to the beach is free
water is clean and tested weekly
garbage is collected and sand is cleaned
there is a surveillance and rescue service on the beach
if necessary, emergency assistance can be provided right on the beach
there are showers
motor vehicles do not drive on the beach
pets use another beach

This list can be continued because there are 29 criteria for evaluating beaches.

Beach "Yantarny". blue flag

Beach holidays are perhaps one of the most popular types of recreation in the world. Many people prefer to vacation in seaside cities to be able to enjoy the warm sun and gentle sea. But how not to make a mistake in choosing such a place? The quality mark of the beaches, the Blue Flag award, will help in this matter.
Blue Flag. Yalta

A sign of quality for beaches, the Blue Flag Award is an annual award given to beaches and marinas (marinas) for meeting water quality and cleanliness standards designed for safe swimming. The Blue Flag is a non-profit non-state award, which is managed by the Foundation for Environmental Education.

Blue Flag. Kusto, Croatia

A bit of history. France is considered the birthplace of the Blue Flag beach quality mark. It was here that the first award took place in 1985. And since 1987, the Blue Flag has been awarded all over the world. Today, 48 countries are already participating in the Blue Flag award, and the number of participants is steadily growing every year.
Blue Flag. Costa Blanca, Denmark

The Blue Flag is awarded on June 5 for countries located in the Northern Hemisphere and on November 1 for countries located in the Southern Hemisphere. This year, more than 3,700 beaches and marinas in 48 countries received the Blue Flag. In 2012, Spain became the leader in the number of beaches on which the Blue Flag flaunts, there are 539 beaches and 83 berths, in the upcoming season this number reaches 550 beaches and 97 berths.
Blue Flag. Crete

In 2013, Ukraine can also boast of having the Blue Flag on its beaches and marinas - five in Yalta, five in Evpatoria, one each in Ilyichevsk and Sevastopol. And also the "Tsar's Quay" in Sevastopol also received the "Blue Flag". But Russia has nothing to brag about. Only one berth of Terijoki yacht club in St. Petersburg received the Blue Flag quality mark.
Blue Flag. Saint Vlas, Bulgaria

What guarantees the presence of the "Blue Flag" on the beach? The beach on which the Blue Flag proudly develops guarantees vacationers:

free entrance

weekly water testing for purity

sand is periodically cleaned and garbage is collected

the beach has its own rescue and surveillance service

if required, first aid can be provided directly on the beach

availability of showers

lack of motor transport

pets use private beach

Today, the following countries can boast of the Blue Flag beach quality mark: Canada, Croatia, Bahamas, Bulgaria, Brazil, Denmark, Cyprus, Wales, France, Finland, Greece, Germany, Italy, Poland, Norway, Turkey, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Morocco, Malta, Tunisia, Belgium and many others.

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It's time to find out which beaches in the world received this year's prestigious international Blue Flag award. Where will we sunbathe and swim in the most environmentally friendly and comfortable environment?

So… Drumroll!

The Blue Flags of the 2018 season simply overwhelmed Spain - it is in first place, and it has 590 awards. In Greece, noted 519 ideal beaches for relaxation. Turkey also burst into the top three with 459 beaches. In fourth place is France, and 399 Blue Flags are now flying here. Closes the TOP-5 countries with the best beaches Italy (368 beaches). Next come Portugal, Denmark, Croatia, Ireland, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Cyprus, Mexico, Israel, South Africa, Dominican Republic, Montenegro ... In Russia, only 7 beaches were awarded, and in Ukraine - 14.

Beaches with "Blue Flags" are not only distinguished by the purity of sand and water, which are constantly checked until the end of the season (until September 1 - 30, depending on the resort). They are equipped with changing cabins, showers, sun loungers and umbrellas, rescue stations. There are no industrial enterprises nearby, only natural beauties, parks, cafes, parking lots and excellent hotels. Ideal for the whole family! Which of them deserve special attention? We have compiled the TOP 10 eco-beaches in the world with recommended hotels. Choose!

Playa de Muro on about. Majorca

The picturesque, long Spanish beach Playa de Muro in the north of Mallorca is a true paradise for families with small children. There is soft white sand, clean and warm Mediterranean Sea, a gentle entrance to the water. In the morning - calm, and after 16 hours - waves with which you can play. To get to the sea depth, you have to walk about 50 meters. The beach has showers, toilets, cafes, sunbeds and umbrellas. You can roast under the sun, or you can have a wonderful rest in the shade of sprawling pines. Well, on the streets along this beach you will find restaurants, shops, attractions for children - trampolines, electric motorcycles, carousels.

Nikolina beach (Nikolina beach) in Croatia

Nikolina Beach, in the municipality of Baska Voda (Makarska Riviera), is not only the most popular beach of the resort, but of almost the whole of Croatia. Pebble coast surrounded by majestic mountain range Biokovo, palm trees and lush pines and washed by the cool waters of the purest Adriatic Sea. There are rescuers, an ambulance, changing cabins, showers, toilets, sunbeds and umbrellas, a center water activities, beach bar, fruit and ice cream shops. Along the beach you can find cafes, pizzerias and restaurants, a playground with trampolines, bike rental.

Vale de Centeanes beach in Portugal

Vale de Centeanes, one of the best urban beaches in Portugal, marked this season with the Blue Flag, is located on the sandy coast of the ocean, in Carvoeiro.

On the one hand, it is surrounded by the blue waters of the Atlantic, and on the other hand, it is surrounded by high rocks, turned by the sea and wind, with natural grottoes and arches. Its advantage is that next to it there are no constant landings of tourists on boats. The water is very clean, suitable for small children. The downside is that there can be a lot of tourists during the peak season.

Incredible views of the ocean distances open from the rocks. At the entrance to the beach there is a restaurant, a kiosk with drinks and ice cream, toilets, parking, a gentle slope to the coast for people with disabilities.

Vai Beach on about. Crete

In every region of Crete, in Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, there are magnificent, clean beaches awarded with Blue Flags. At least once it is worth visiting the pink coast of Elafonisi (with a mandatory annual eco-award), as well as the incredibly beautiful Balos lagoon.

The beautiful Matala beach is located in a cozy bay of the Libyan Sea, in the south of the island. It is surrounded by cliffs with numerous caves where hippies once lived. The Rolling Stones performed here.

The favorite of all holidaymakers on the island of Crete is the palm beach of Vai, with golden sand and a grove of green date palms. This year he is again with the Blue Flag. Although it is located in the very east of the island, where, for example, it takes a very long time to get from the other end of Crete. The beach is equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas, cabanas and showers. There are bars and taverns, parking.

"Massandra" beach in Yalta

For the first time "Massandrovsky" beach, located on the Southern Coast of Crimea, was awarded the "Blue Flag" in 2010. The certificate was confirmed in 2016, in 2017 and now in 2018. This means that the purity of water and the quality of services on the Yalta coast are invariably beyond praise.

The length of the Massandrovsky beach is about 500 meters. 6 breakwaters divide it into six well-groomed, comfortable sectors. There is free entry to the beach, there is a rental of sunbeds and umbrellas, as well as personal bungalows, many cafes, restaurants from the simplest to the most sophisticated, a children's pool and a playground, a shower, a toilet. Frequent guests of the coastal zone are Black Sea dolphins. Many call this beach "Little Europe". Recommended for families with children.

Cumburnu beach in Oludeniz, Turkey

The Turkish village of Oludeniz, which is 15 km from Fethiye, is famous not only for its unforgettable landscapes over which paragliders fly, but also for its wonderful beaches with Blue Flags.

The sandy spit of Kumburnu (continuation of Belcekiz beach), penetrating into the sea as a peninsula, was awarded the Blue Flag and belongs to the Blue Lagoon National Natural Park. The left side of the spit is washed mediterranean sea, co free entry and sunbed rental. The right side hugs a shallow bay with warm water, and this is already the territory natural park with paid entrance. The place is ideal for families with small children. Here you can rent a catamaran, see fish and turtles Caretta Caretta.

There are many quality beaches in Oludeniz! Choose according to your preferences and budget.

Canal d'Amour beach on about. Corfu, Greece

Canal d'Amour - famous landmark Greek island Corfu with the prestigious Blue Flag award. The Love Channel is definitely worth a visit. Especially if you are looking for your soulmate or want to perpetuate the already existing love.

It is located in the resort town of Sidari and is a narrow sea strait surrounded by wild sheer cliffs. Thanks to the sea, caves and tunnels formed in the rocks. The bank of the canal is with golden soft sand and a small grove. Due to the influx of tourists, it is well equipped - it has sun loungers, beach umbrellas and other amenities. Nearby are taverns and bars where you will be offered delicious traditional Greek dishes and drinks. You can sunbathe on the rocks themselves.

Here you can meet families with children, because. entry into the sea is shallow and gentle, there are never waves, and the water is warm.

Blue Beach in Budva Riviera, Montenegro

Of all the beaches in Montenegro, the Budva Riviera collected the most awards. Among the award-winning are individual sections picturesque bay Yaz, which is about as popular as Copacabana in Brazil, and is considered almost the most beautiful in Montenegro. Madonna and the Rolling Stones performed at the concert venue here, the atmosphere of an endless holiday reigns. Despite the distance from Budva, there are always plenty of vacationers here.

Plavo Plaza or blue beach- a well-equipped section of the wide sandy beach of Jaz. The beach has modest parameters (only about 150 meters in length), but it has been awarded the Blue Flag for many years now. Equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas, changing rooms, showers, rescue station, parking. There is a playground and cafe. The entrance to the sea is sandy, gentle.

Together with Blue Beach, Blue Flags received neighboring beaches Escarella Beach, C&I Beach Life.

Baia Blu beach in Lerici (Liguria), Italy

The Italian beach Spiaggia Baia Blu in the San Terenzo area is incredibly picturesque! It is located between the capes of Punta Santa Teresa and Punta Galera. Clear, sparkling waters the purest sea washed by a beautiful bend of the sandy coast, framed by century-old oaks and olive groves. No wonder it has so many positive reviews!

The beach is small, only 200 meters long, but well equipped: there is a rental of sun loungers and umbrellas, a free shower, toilet, changing room, 3 bars, a restaurant, 2 parking lots and even a compressor for inflating mattresses and balls.

If you go from San Terenzo towards Lerici, you will find several more Blue Flag beaches. For example, Venere Azzura Beach (Blue Venus Beach). It is equipped with rental of umbrellas and sun loungers, water bikes, there is animation and cafes. Moving further towards Fiascherino, you will find the exclusive Blue Flag beach Eco del Mare.

Mine Anna beach, in Yantarny, Kaliningrad

The pride of the Kaliningrad region is the beach "Mine Anna" in the village of Yantarny, the owner of the "Blue Flag" 2018. A wide beach strip 300 meters long is strewn with soft white sand. The entrance to the water is gentle, the Baltic Sea is almost always calm.

Wooden decks have been built on the beach for easy movement, there are showers and drinking fountains, changing rooms and benches, a playground, and areas for beach sports. You can sunbathe on the sand, or you can rent a sunbed, which comes with an umbrella and a towel. Families should try unusual "soft baskets" for sunbathing, which will fit two or even three people.

Amber and Massandra - that's where you need to go to relax on the beach. It is there, according to international experts of the Blue Flag award, that the best beach areas in Russia are located. The rest of the Russian beaches, it turns out, f *** o?
Looking at the rating and the number of world-class beaches in other countries, it is striking that there are so few of them in Russia. Even on / in Ukraine there are already 10 such beaches (!!!).

By the way, according to the official data of the award, the beach in the village of Yantarny (Kalingrad region) is generally the only one in Russia awarded this prestigious quality mark, because Massandra is considered Ukrainian in Europe (the Massandrovsky beach in Yalta received its first Blue Flag back in 2010, and in this he once again confirmed).

In the top three of the world beach top: Spain (579 beaches), Greece (485 beaches) and Turkey (454 beaches). The top 10 also includes France (390), Italy (342), Portugal (320), Denmark (225), Croatia (99), Ireland (81) and England (68). In total, there are 43 countries with 3662 beaches in the top. Yacht marinas and boat stations are evaluated separately - Russia is not in these lists yet. For comparison: there are 10 Blue Flag beaches in Ukraine - in Kyiv and Odessa.

Blue Flag is the highest quality standard for beaches. To raise it above the coastal zone, one desire and clean water are not enough - infrastructure is needed. The international commission certifies the place according to 33 criteria, and every year the requirements grow. The main ones are:
access to the beach is free;
the water is clean and tested weekly;
garbage is collected and sand is cleaned at the end of the day;
lifeguards work on the beach;
emergency assistance is provided on the spot;
there are showers;
motor vehicles do not drive along the beach;
pets use another beach.
In fact, Blue Flag is an environmental program based on respect and conservation of the surrounding ecosystem, natural phenomena and biological diversity.

As for the Massandra beach.
It was he who became the first owner of the Blue Flag in the “Russian-speaking” countries of the former USSR” (a phrase from the Blue Flag release). In addition, it is considered the best equipped beach in Yalta and the entire South Coast for the disabled.
The length of the Massandrovskiy beach complex is 460 m. It is divided by concrete breakwaters into seven sectors: with free access and VIP zones from 8 to 10 euros. The beach is equipped with several cafes and restaurants, a sports club, a playground, a swimming pool with running water, a shower and a toilet.
The useful territory of the beach has been expanded through the use of the so-called "terraces" - special buildings located above the groins. Part of it is given over to sunbathing areas, part of it is for walking, some of them serve cafe visitors.

The beach is pebbly, but you can walk to the water along specially equipped wooden paths. Entrance to the territory is free. Sun loungers, umbrellas and other equipment are available for rent for an additional fee. There are designated areas for smokers

By the way, Massandrovsky is not the only one in the Crimea who raised the Blue Flag on the flagpole. A similar award in 2013 and 2014 was received by the beach of the Aquamarine Hotel in Sevastopol, but ... everything flows, everything changes, someone loses, and someone gains, and the flags are handed over to the best of the best.

Officially, the first Blue Flag award in Russia in 2016 was received (and confirmed in this) by the coastal zone in the village of Yantarny, Kaliningrad Region - sand beach Anna Mine.

A wooden bridge leads to it. viewing platforms. The length of the beach complex is about 500 m. Electricity, water supply, sewerage are installed in the recreation area, changing cabins and toilets are installed.

The beach is equipped with showers and drinking water taps. In addition, children's and sports grounds have been installed. Behind the dunes on the lake, there is a separate place for children to swim. For a fee, you can rent umbrellas, comfortable sunbeds of various types and price categories. There are several cafes and a restaurant on the beach. The post of rescuers is equipped with communication with the police, ambulance and administration of the village.

And what happens, in the whole of Russia there is no one else and there is nothing to equip resorts for a NORMAL vacation? Indeed, diamonds are not handed out on these beaches or a UFO lands - only people are resting, but they are resting, and not running in search of water or a toilet ...

The Blue Flag is an international award given annually since 1987 by the non-profit organization Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). The birthplace of the award is France, where the first award took place in 1985.
The blue flag is awarded to the beach for one swimming season in the current year. In a year, the coastal area must again prove the high quality of the services provided. The renewal time for Blue Flag certificates in the Northern Hemisphere is annually at the end of May - beginning of June.

According to materials:

We found out what the flags located on the beach mean. They mentioned such an award as the Blue Flag. Today we will find out for what such merits this award is presented.

Blue flag.

Blue flag on the beach of Italy

The flag on the blue beach is not just a flag, but a whole award for certain merits.

The Blue Flag award was given to best beaches France since 1985. Since 1987, this award has become an annual award and the beaches and marinas of Europe, and since 2003 - other countries of the world have begun to receive it.

The nominee for the award is selected by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), which includes 65 organizations from 60 countries (from Europe, Africa, Oceania, Asia, North and South America).

The award certificate is issued every year before the start of the swimming season: in the Northern Hemisphere it starts from May to early June, in the Southern Hemisphere and the Caribbean around the first of November. The flags must indicate the year in which the Blue Flag was awarded.

The Ministry of Tourism of countries that award the Blue Flag award reports how many beaches in their country have received this award. Thereby

Bulgaria beach

the level of tourist attractiveness of the country for potential vacationers is increasing.

In order for a beach to receive an award, beach authorities must meet 32 standards for beach water quality, safety and environmental education. For berths of such criteria - 25 points.

If you see the Blue Flag on the beach, it means that:

you can get to the beach and relax there for free;
the quality of coastal waters is checked in the laboratory every week;
there are no industrial sources of pollution of coastal waters near the beach;
garbage from the beach is collected and sorted for subsequent recycling;
sand or pebbles are cleaned regularly;
a map of the beach is freely available on the beach, where its main points are indicated (rescue towers, a first-aid post, urns, equipped paths, etc.);
on the beach there are changing cabins and showers;
lifeguards are always present and there is a first-aid post, which in an emergency can provide assistance right on the beach;
there are sources of drinking water on the beach;
there are no motor vehicles and pets on the beach;
The beach is accessible to people with disabilities.

Is there a "Blue Flag" in Russia and Ukraine?

In the territory Russian Federation and Ukraine also have Blue Flag beaches. For the first time, a Ukrainian beach (Massandrovsky beach, Yalta) received a world award in 2010, the first Russian beach (in the village of Yantarny, Kaliningrad region) received an award in 2016.

In Ukraine on this moment ten beaches have already been awarded the Blue Flag, including those in Chornomorsk (Odessa region), children's beaches in the city of Kyiv.
In Russia, the same beach in the village of Yantarny, Kaliningrad Region, can still boast of the Blue Flag.

The beaches of Spain have long been considered the best beaches in the world. The leading place at the time of 2017 among Spanish beaches is occupied by Playa de Muro beach on the island of Mallorca.

Second place goes to the Croatian beach Nikolina.

Third place - Marinha beach (Praia di Marinha), Portugal.

As you can see, the Blue Flag beaches are deservedly reference. And your vacation will be much better if there is a beach with such a worthy reward next to your hotel.