Corfu΄s 10 Blue Flag beaches for 2021

Mayor Meropi Ydraiou said that the reason that there are the same number of beaches is that due to the pandemic no new beaches could be designated, even though 12 were nominated. Aggelos Koulouris from the Municipal Technical Works Department told Enimerosi, "We need to explain to the public that there were many problems due to the Covid pandemic, which couldn't have been foreseen."

In October 2020 Meropi Ydraiou said, "Central Corfu & Diapontia Islands Municipality did not miss the deadline but was well within the time limit with its nominations for 12 beaches to be awarded the Blue Flag.

However, the inability of the contracting companies to obtain all the necessary materials in order to create the required infrastructure to meet the Blue Flag specifications meant that Corfu beaches couldn't be given the award for summer 2021."

The announcement

The Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature (EEPF), which is the the national operator of the international Blue Flag Programme, has announced this year's Blue Flag awards in Greece for beaches, marinas and sustainable tourism boats.

Greece occupies second place amongst the 49 participating countries with 545 award-winning beaches, 16 marinas and 6 sustainable tourist boats. This year Greece has 13.5% of worldwide award-winning beaches. The top region in Greece this year is once again Halkidiki with 96 Blue Flags.

The International Committee gave the award this year to 4,040 beaches, 707 marinas and 78 sustainable tourist boats worldwide.

The announcement of the Blue Flag Awards was held online this year.

The Blue Flag programme has been in operation since 1987 and In order to qualify for this prestigious award, a series of stringent criteria must be met and maintained. For a beach to be awarded a Blue Flag - which lasts for a year - the bathing water must be 'Excellent'.

In addition to this all the remaining criteria out of a total of 33 must be met (38 for marinas and 51 for tourist boats). These criteria refer to cleanliness, organisation, information, bathers' and visitors' safety, protection of the natural resources of the beach and coastal area and environmental awareness. Criteria for Blue Flag Awards

A. Clean sea and beach

- The bathing water must be 'excellent' and the beach must fully comply with the standards and requirements for water quality analysis.
- No industrial, waste-water or sewage-related discharges should affect the beach area.
- Waste disposal bins/containers must be available at the beach in adequate numbers and they must be regularly maintained.
- The beach must be regularly cleaned.

B. Beach management

- Information about bathing water quality must be displayed.
- Emergency plans to cope with pollution risks must be in place.
- Vehicles and motorbikes are forbidden at the beach.
- No unauthorised camping on the beach.
- An adequate number of toilets must be provided with controlled sewage disposal.

C. Visitor safety

- An adequate number of lifeguards and/or lifesaving equipment must be available at the beach.
- Accessibility and services for those with special needs.

D. Environmental protection and awareness

- Information relating to local eco-systems and environmental phenomena must be displayed.
- Environmental education activities must be offered and promoted to beach users.

Corfu's 10 Blue Flag beaches

Municipality of North Corfu

Canal d’Amour

Municipality of Central Corfu & Diapontia Islands

Alykes Potamos / Family Life Kerkyra Golf
Dassia / Ikos
Daphnila / Eva
Daphnila / Grecotel Daphnila Bay Dassia
Kommeno / Corfu Imperial
Kontokali / Kontokali Bay Resort

Municipality of South Corfu

Agios Ioannis Peristeron / Marbella Corfu
Issos / Labranda Sandy Beach Resort
Moraitika / Domes Miramare Corfu

Marina Gouvia also retained its Blue Flag.