- Orihuela loses the blue Flag for Cala Mosca beach.
- Cala Estaca beach regains its Blue Flag status after previous loss.
- Torrevieja maintains six Blue Flags for its beaches.
- Guardamar gains recognition for Ortigues and Camps beaches.
- Pilar de la Horadada achieves Blue Flag status for six beaches.
Orihuela and Surrounding Areas Experience Changes in Blue Flag beach Status
on May 7, 2025, a meaningful proclamation was made regarding the quality and recognition of the beaches in the Orihuela area. The Asociación de Educación Ambiental y del Consumidor (Adeac), which awards the prestigious Blue Flag status for beach excellence, revealed that Cala Mosca will not receive this honor this year. Conversely, Cala Estaca beach has recovered its Blue Flag status after losing it last year due to pollution issues.
With this transition, Orihuela boasts ten Blue Flag beaches out of its total of eleven. Manuel mestre, the head of the beaches Department for orihuela, expressed a sense of uncertainty regarding the reasons for the loss of Cala mosca’s blue Flag. The reasons for removing the Blue Flag from a beach are often not disclosed by Adeac upon announcement, leaving local authorities scrambling for explanations. The council intends to request a detailed report from Adeac to clarify the situation, especially as both Cala Mosca and Cala Estaca are adjacent to each other.
Torrevieja and Guardamar: Maintaining and Gaining Blue Flags
in nearby Torrevieja, the city continues to uphold its reputation for quality beaches with six Blue Flags awarded this year, including:
- Cala de las Piteras
- El Cura
- La Mata (southern part)
- Los Locos
- Los Náufragos
These beaches retained thier Blue flag status from the previous year, while the northern section of La Mata beach failed to meet the required quality standards.
In a refreshing turn, Guardamar launched its new Blue Flag for Ortigues and Camps beaches, marking a first for this particular area. These beaches are known for their natural beauty, protected by a pine forest that safeguards them from urban progress pressures. The region continues to maintain a robust selection of Blue Flag beaches, including centro beach, Moncayo beach, and La Roqueta.
Pilar de la Horadada: A Coastal Success
Further south in the Vega Baja region, Pilar de la Horadada also celebrated a triumphant year, attaining Blue Flag status for six of its beaches:
- Playa Del Conde
- Higuericas
- Jesuitas
- Mil Palmeras
- Rocamar
- Puerto
however, three of its beaches—Vistamar, Playa del Río, and Playa Las Villas—did not receive the distinction this year.
Understanding the Criteria for Blue Flag Awards
The Blue flag award is not simply granted and requires beaches to meet strict criteria, including:
- Quality of bathing water must be rated excellent throughout the previous season.
- Compliance with waste management and cleanliness regulations.
- Availability of public restrooms and first aid services.
- Safe and easy access to the beach.
Port Recognition in Vega Baja
In addition to beach awards, Blue Flags were also granted to four marinas in the Vega Baja region, including:
- C.N. Dehesa de Campoamor (Orihuela)
- Club Náutico Marina Internacional Torrevieja
- Marina Salinas de Torrevieja
- Real Club Náutico torrevieja
This brings the total Blue Flag beaches in the Vega Baja to 27, alongside four distinguished ports. Notably, the province of Alicante holds the highest number of Blue Flag distinctions in all of Spain, showcasing its commitment to environmental quality and tourism excellence.
As beaches across Spain continue to strive for quality and recognition, the awards serve as vital indicators for tourists and locals alike, promising a safe and pleasant coastal experience.
Source
For further details, visit the original article: la Verdad.