Rio beaches and marinas receive Blue Flag certification
The coastline of the state of Rio de Janeiro has eight beaches and marinas awarded the international Blue Flag certification – an ecological accolade granted to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators that meet strict criteria for environmental management, water quality, safety, and environmental education.
The Blue Flag is awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education – an institution that brings together over 100 countries and promotes environmental education for sustainable development.
“This certification is a milestone for Rio de Janeiro and crowns the ongoing work of INEA [State Environmental Institute] in promoting sustainable development. Having eight of our coastal areas recognized with the Blue Flag proves we’re on the right track, reconciling the conservation of our rich biodiversity with quality leisure activities for the population as well as for tourism,” said Bernardo Rossi, secretary of state for the environment and sustainability.
The beaches awarded are genuine postcard locations that now combine natural beauty with a commitment to sustainability. All are located in the Lakes Region, on the northern coast of Rio de Janeiro state. The marinas are in the municipality of Angra dos Reis, on the southern coast.
The Blue Flag is one of the most respected socio-environmental seals globally. For public management, the program serves as a guide to excellence, promoting economic development in line with environmental preservation. For tourists, it serves as an indicator of environmental quality, safety, well-being, and sustainable education.
Among the activities carried out by INEA are the collection and the analysis of seawater samples along the entire coast of Rio de Janeiro, generating essential data for the health of the population. This ongoing work is the basis for the bathing water quality report, which shows which beaches are suitable or unsuitable for swimming, which is essential for the eight coastal sites to meet the strict criteria of the Blue Flag program.
With over 15 years of experience, the ecological seal certifies marinas and beaches where all aspects of environmental management are met.
A beach can be selected if it is officially a bathing area with at least one collection point for water quality analysis. The name and boundaries of the beach must be officially recognized, and it may be located in coastal, marine, or inland waters.
A marina, in turn, may be selected if it is an area for pleasure boats, sailing boats, or motorboats, and may also be located in coastal, marine, or inland waters.
Below are the conservation units where the award-winning coastal sites are located:
- Forno beach, in Búzios – Costa do Sol State Park;
- Tucuns beach, in Búzios – Pau-Brasil Environmental Protection Area;
- Peró beach, in Cabo Frio – Pau-Brasil Environmental Protection Area;
- Caiçara lagoon beach, in Arraial do Cabo – Massambaba State Environmental Protection Area;
- Ubás beach, in Iguaba Grande – Serra de Sapiatiba Environmental Protection Area;
- Pedras de Sapiatiba beach, in São Pedro da Aldeia – Serra de Sapiatiba Environmental Protection Area;
- Costabella marina, in Angra dos Reis – Tamoios State Environmental Protection Area;
- Santos Yacht Club, in Angra dos Reis – Tamoios State Environmental Protection Area.
