The FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education) announced the sites awarded the sought-after Blue Flag label last week. This year, the White Isle has been given a total of 10 Blue Flags, nine of which are for beaches and one for the marina in Ibiza Town.
Well-known for their crystalline turquoise waters, soft white sand and wide range of facilities, Ibizan beaches are among the most famous in the world so it's not surprising that a whopping nine of them have been awarded the coveted Blue Flag. These are concentrated in the northern half of the island, around the towns of Santa Eulalia and Sant Joan. Port de Sant Miquel, Cala Benirrás, famous for its breathtaking sunset, Portinatx Beach, Cala Sant Vicent, Es Figueral Beach, Cala Llenya, Es Canar, Playa d'es Riu and Cala Llonga are this season's chosen beaches.
Blue Flags are given out by an independent organisation called the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). Beaches are evaluated each year and monitored for their facilities and cleanliness. Based on 32 separate criteria, each beach or marina is judged on the quality of the water, safety and services (including lifeguards and first aid), information for beach users, environmental education and protection of the coastal environment.