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Marrakech – Morocco secured Blue Flag certification for a record 38 sites ahead of the 2026 summer season, the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection (FM6E) announced on Friday.
Presided by Princess Lalla Hasnaa, the Foundation confirmed the highest national tally ever recorded since Morocco joined the international eco-labeling program. The number represents a substantial jump from the 28 sites certified in 2025, and signals growing momentum among coastal regions toward environmental compliance and sustainable management.
The certified roster includes 33 beaches, four marinas and pleasure ports, and one natural mountain lake. Five beaches earned the distinction for the first time this season, while all 28 beaches certified in 2025 successfully retained their status.
The five new entries span several provinces. Oualidia Grande Plage, in the province of Sidi Bennour, and Tamaris II, in the province of Nouaceur, both joined the network. The prefecture of Skhirate-Témara contributed two additions – the beaches of Contrebandiers and Sable d’Or. Amsa, in the province of Tétouan in Morocco’s north, rounded out the new certifications.
The foundation reviewed a total of 55 candidacies this year. The growing number of submissions reflects increasing interest among coastal municipalities and site operators in securing the international label.
The full retention of previously certified beaches, meanwhile, points to sustained compliance by local authorities, economic partners, and community associations across existing sites.
Blue Flag certification rests on four categories of criteria. Sites must meet strict standards for bathing water quality, environmental education and public awareness, on-site hygiene and safety, and sustainable site management.
Certified locations are also required to display permanent information on local biodiversity, ecosystems, and coastal environmental phenomena. A multidisciplinary jury awards the label each spring, and unannounced inspections are conducted throughout the summer to verify ongoing compliance.
The label was created in 1987 by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). It now operates across 45 countries and certifies 4,423 beaches and marinas worldwide. Morocco adopted the program in 2006 for beaches and expanded it to marinas in 2016. The first Moroccan marina earned its Blue Flag the following year, in 2017.
At the national level, the certification operates under the broader “Clean Beaches” initiative, which the Mohammed VI Foundation has led since 1999.
The program mobilizes local governments, economic partners, community organizations, and public institutions – including the ministries of interior, health, equipment and water, and the Department of Sustainable Development – around the sustainable management of Morocco’s coastline.
