BELGIUM | 21 locations awarded the international Blue Flag label

In 2026, 21 Belgian beaches, swimming ponds, and marinas will receive the international Blue Flag quality label. This year, Provincial Domains De Ster and Nieuwdonk (East Flanders) will hoist the blue flag for the first time. 

The Blue Flag is awarded by GoodPlanet Belgium, with the support of Tourism Flanders (Tourisme Vlaanderen), to locations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to sustainability and quality.

What is Blue Flag?

The Blue Flag is an international quality label that recognizes beaches and marinas excelling in water quality, safety, and cleanliness. To earn the label, locations must meet strict criteria, including:

• Presence of lifeguards and first aid stations.
• Excellent swimming water quality.
• Efforts in education, awareness-raising, waste sorting, and accessibility.
• Transparent water quality information for visitors.

Each year, locations are evaluated by an external auditor, an independent Belgian jury, and an international jury. The Blue Flag helps tourists easily identify destinations that prioritize people and nature.

“Flanders offers a surprisingly rich array of nature and water experiences. We can only strengthen this asset by protecting our nature, water quality, and living environment. Initiatives like Blue Flag show how tourism, quality, and sustainability go hand in hand. They transform beaches, swimming ponds, and marinas into places where visitors can fully enjoy nature and water, with respect for the environment. Looking ahead, we will continue to build on this. With the 2028 Nature and Water Focus Year, we are working with our partners to develop Flanders as a surprising outdoor and water destination, where experience, quality, and landscape stewardship reinforce one another”, Leen Gysen, Administrator-General of Tourism Flanders, says in a press release.

A significant recognition

“Achieving the Blue Flag label for Provincial Domains Nieuwdonk and De Ster is an important recognition of our daily commitment. Nieuwdonk, in the heart of the Scheldt Valley National Park, is a true natural gem where tranquility, water, and nature experiences take center stage. De Ster, near the city, offers a green space where people can relax, exercise, and enjoy quality recreation together.

*While both domains have their own unique character, they share the same ambition: to allow visitors to enjoy water, green spaces, and recreation carefree, with respect for people and nature. The Blue Flag label demonstrates that Nieuwdonk and De Ster meet the highest standards in water quality, safety, accessibility, and sustainable management”, Dagmar Beernaert, Deputy for Recreational Domains of East Flanders, says.

Blue Flag for boats

Boat owners can also commit to clean waterways by signing a pledge and receive a free blue flag for their vessel. More information is available on the Blue Flag website.

Swimmers and boat owners can find all Blue Flag-certified locations here.

GoodPlanet and Blue Flag

GoodPlanet Belgium inspires all generations to take their first steps toward sustainability through education, guidance, and concrete action. Since 2017, GoodPlanet has coordinated the Blue Flag program in Belgium, supporting beaches and marinas in their sustainability efforts. Alongside Green Key (the international label for sustainable accommodations), GoodPlanet helps numerous tourism businesses transition toward greater sustainability.

“Interest in swimming and recreating in open water is growing in Flanders, and the number of locations continues to expand. However, safety and water quality remain essential. Since the Blue Flag label is only awarded for excellent water quality, it is becoming increasingly challenging to find beaches and swimming spots that meet this high standard. Yet we resolutely choose quality: we want every recreational user to enjoy clear, safe water, supported by thoughtful and sustainable management”, Jo Van Cauwenberge, Director of GoodPlanet Belgium, says.

Blue Flag-certified beaches and swimming ponds

• Diepvennen (Londerzeel).
• Provincial Domain De Gavers (Geraardsbergen).
• Sports and Recreation Park Blaarmeersen (Ghent).
• Le Lac de Conchibois (Saint-Léger)
• VENNtastic Beach Bütgenbach Worriken (Provincial) (Worriken).
• Recreational Domain Zilvermeer (Mol).
• Recreational Domain De Mosten (Hoogstraten).
• Nuclea (Royal Nuclea NPO) (Mol).
• De Lilse Bergen (Lille).
• Boekenberg (Antwerp)
• Provincial Domain Nieuwdonk (Berlare).
• Provincial Domain De Ster, Aquarena (Sint-Niklaas / St Nicholas).
• Provincial Domain De Ster, Strandzone (St Nicholas).

Blue Flag-certified marinas

• Flemish Yacht Harbor Nieuwpoort (Nieuwpoort).
• Royal Belgian Sailing Club Zeebrugge (Zeebrugge / Zeebruges).
• Royal Yacht Club Nieuwpoort (Nieuwpoort).
• Heerenlaak (Kinrooi).
• De Spaanjerd (Kinrooi).
• Zilvermeerhaven Port Aventura (Mol).
• Kempisch Dok Marina (Antwerp).
• Willemdok Marina Antwerp (Antwerp).