Thirteen beaches, ten in Malta and three in Gozo have received the 2025 Blue Flag Certificate, a prestigious eco-label confirming their world-class standards in beach management, environmental education, safety, water quality and related services.

In Gozo, the beaches are Hondoq Bay, Ramla Bay and Marsalforn. In addition, Xwejni Bay, in Zebbug, Gozo, was recognised as a Beach of Quality, confirming that it has achieved most of the applicable criteria and is close to attaining the Blue Flag status as well.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg, Nature Trust – FEE Malta President Vincent Attard and Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) Chief Executive Officer Carlo Micallef announced the recipients of this eco-label, at an event at Golden Bay.

This internationally recognised certification, awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), is locally implemented by Nature Trust – FEE Malta. To qualify for the Blue Flag, each beach must meet and maintain over 30 strict environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria.

The beaches awarded in Malta this year are:

• Mellieha Bay, Mellieha

• Golden Bay, Mellieha

• Paradise Bay Resort Hotel beach, Mellieha (privately-run beach)

• Ghajn Tuffieha, Mgarr

• Fond Ghadir, Sliema

• Fajtata Bay, Sliema

• St George’s Bay, St Julian’s

• The Westin Dragonara Resort beach, St Julian’s (privately-run beach)

• Bugibba Perched Beach, St Paul’s Bay

• Qawra Point, St Paul’s Bay

Except for the two privately-run hotel beaches, all Blue Flag coastal sites in Malta and Gozo are managed by the MTA and the Ministry for Gozo and Planning respectively.At the beginning of the presentation, Evie, a rescued turtle, was released back into the wild, after almost a year at the Nature Trust Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, where it was treated for fishhook injuries. The family who had spotted the turtle in distress at sea last August also participated in the event.

Mr Attard highlighted the rigorous criteria and environmental efforts behind the award, while Mr Micallef commended all workers, public entities and private companies involved in the management and operation of these coastal sites, for their dedication to elevating beach quality, safety and sustainability standards.

File photos: Gozo News/Alain Salvary and below DOI

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