Twenty-two (22) coasts, awarded by the International Program for Environmental Education, Information and Awareness “Blue flag”, were withdrawn from the 2024 national and international list and lost their award, because they either did not organize this year’s swimming season or did not meet the strict criteria of the Program, as determined by the evaluations so far.

In accordance with the Program’s procedure, the assessors of the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature and international assessors who made unannounced visits found deficiencies in the mandated observance of the criteria that specifically related to: provision of services to bathers and visitors (including the disabled), cleanliness, correct information, safety of bathers and visitors, correct environmental management as well as coverage of free coastal space.

The 22 coasts that are being withdrawn are as follows:

  • Akti Schinias Karavi, Marathona Municipality, P. E. Attica
  • Coast 1st Limanaki Daskaleio Kerateas/Solo Pino, Municipality of Lavreotiki, P. E. Attica
  • Akti Psaltos/Mitsis Lindos Memories Resort, Municipality of Rhodes, P.E. Dodecanese
  • Akti Kallithea, Municipality of Rhodes, P.E. Dodecanese
  • Akti Mikros Gialos, Municipality of Rhodes, P.E. Dodecanese
  • Akti Amnisos/Pnoe Breathing Life, Municipality of Hersonissos, P.E. Heraklion
  • Akti Ermones, Municipality of Central Corfu and Diapontian Islands, P.E. Corfu
  • Akti Ag. Gordios/La Grotta Verde, Municipality of Central Corfu and Diapontian Islands, P.E. Corfu
  • Akti Mylos Ormou Korthiou, Municipality of Andros, P.E. Andros
  • Akti Provatas, Municipality of Milos, P.E. Apple
  • Akti Kalafatis/Aphrodite Beach Resort, Municipality of Mykonos, P. E. Mykonos
  • Akti Agia Anna/Maragas, Municipality of Naxos, P.E. Naxos
  • Akti Agios Georgios, Municipality of Naxos, P.E. Naxos
  • Akti Agios Prokopios, Municipality of Naxos, P.E. Naxos
  • Akti Ag. Fokas/Marathia, Municipality of Tinos, PE Tinos
  • Akti Ierapetra 1/Dimotiki, Municipality of Ierapetra, PE Lasithi
  • Akti Koinotiki Plaz Makrygialou, Municipality of Ierapetra, PE Lasithi
  • Akti Myrtos, Municipality of Ierapetra, PE Lasithi
  • Akti Mega Ammos (Rock), Municipality of Preveza, P.E. Preveza
  • Akti Koutloumousiou, Municipality of Sithonia, PE Halkidiki
  • 2 Akti Nea Roda, Municipality of Aristoteli, PE Halkidiki
  • Akti Ouranoupolis 1/Xenia Ouranoupolis, Municipality of Aristoteli, P.E. Halkidiki

The program, however, emphasizes that the withdrawal of the Blue Flag mark on the coasts in question is due to poor organization and that the quality of the bathing waters remains, according to the standards of the Program, excellent.

The deadline for posting the Blue Flag was July 1st. The members of the National Crisis Committee and the Program Coordinating Committee decided, as expected, to withdraw the awards in order to preserve the prestige and credibility of the institution.

At the same time, inspection visits continue to all of the country’s award-winning coasts, visits which, for the most part, are carried out unannounced. If deficiencies in compliance with the criteria are found on other coasts, other withdrawals will follow and will be announced with subsequent Press Releases.