Blue Flag Best Cleanest Safest Beaches What has England got 66 of, Ireland 74 and France 319? Spain's got 520 and Greece 412. Poor old New Zealand only has 4 (which I find hard to believe) and the USA has none! Answer – Blue Flag approved beaches. Well, maybe the Americans won't let in the inspectors – as Blue Flag was started in 1987 in Europe, and the Europeans go in for all sorts of dubious behaviour, topless sunbathing, naturist beaches… They even have national health programmes to look after all their citizens – how weird is that? But guys, surely an organisation that tests and flags beaches for safety, cleanliness, absence of industrial waste, effluent, chemicals etc., is a good thing? No? Oh well… Anyway, if you are looking for a good beach in Europe, South Africa, Canada, Caribbean, South America – one that is clean and where the water is safe and clean – check out Blue Flag – they will give you all the information that you need. http://www.blueflag.org Happy holidays! P.S. They also rate marinas - presumably not for swimming in.