Blue Flag beaches 2026 on the Costa de la Luz (Cádiz and Huelva): list, what it means and season

Updated: 10 November 2026

The Blue Flag is a yearly award for beaches that meet criteria on water quality, safety, services, accessibility and environmental management. It is an international programme run by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE); in Spain the national operator is ADEAC (Asociación de Educación Ambiental y del Consumidor). This guide sets out what we could check on 10 November 2026 in news reports citing ADEAC and in Andalusian regional government (Junta de Andalucía) documents. We could not consult the list directly on ADEAC's website: anything we have not confirmed is marked "not confirmed". The 2027 list will be announced in May 2027.

2026 figures at a glance

Data ADEAC released on 5 May 2026:

Spain: 677 Blue Flag beaches, 35 more than in 2025 and a record for the programme; plus 111 marinas and 6 tourist boats.
Andalusia: 143 beaches (5 more than in 2025) in 48 municipalities, and 22 marinas.
Cádiz province: 32 beaches (31 in 2025). The newcomer is La Ballena in Chipiona, which regains the flag.
Huelva province: 12 beaches, the same as in 2025 according to the Junta's report.
Marinas with the flag in Cádiz and Huelva in 2026: not confirmed (there were 6 in each province in 2025).

2026 list: Cádiz province (32 beaches)

By municipality, from the lists published in the press based on ADEAC data:

Cádiz: La Caleta, La Victoria, Santa María del Mar and La Cortadura-Poniente.
Chiclana de la Frontera: La Barrosa and Sancti Petri.
San Fernando: Camposoto-El Castillo.
El Puerto de Santa María: La Puntilla, Santa Catalina (Vistahermosa-Las Redes section), Fuentebravía and Valdelagrana.
Rota: La Costilla, Puntalillo, Rompidillo-Chorrillo, Punta Candor, La Ballena and Galeones.
Chipiona: Camarón-La Laguna, Regla, Cruz del Mar-Las Canteras, Micaela and La Ballena.
Conil de la Frontera: Los Bateles, El Roche and La Fontanilla.
Vejer de la Frontera: El Palmar. Barbate: Zahara de los Atunes.
Algeciras: Getares. San Roque: Alcaidesa-El Faro, Cala Sardina, Torreguadiaro and Puerto Sotogrande.
There are two beaches called La Ballena, one in Rota and one in Chipiona. La Muralla (El Puerto) has had no flag since 2021.

2026 list: Huelva province (12 beaches)

By municipality, from the lists published in the press:

Ayamonte: Isla Canela, Los Haraganes and Punta del Moral.
Isla Cristina: La Casita Azul and Playa Central.
Islantilla, shared between Isla Cristina and Lepe (counted once). Lepe also has Santa Pura.
Cartaya: Caño de la Culata and San Miguel (El Rompido).
Punta Umbría: one beach; sources name it either Punta Umbría beach or the El Albergue section (exact name not confirmed).
Huelva city: Marismas del Odiel natural area. Moguer: Del Parador-Castilla beach.
Matalascañas (Almonte) appears in one English-language article but not in the municipality lists we checked: not confirmed.

What the Blue Flag means

According to ADEAC's beach criteria guide (2025 edition), the requirements fall into five groups:

Water quality: it must be rated "excellent" by the health authority's tests, with regular sampling during the season.
Environmental information and education: signs with water quality, beach rules and environmental activities.
Environmental management: cleaning, separate waste collection and a beach management committee.
Natural coastal defence and regeneration.
Safety and services: lifeguards (at least two while the service runs), first aid and access for people with reduced mobility.
Some criteria are imperative (mandatory) and others are guidelines (recommended). The flag can be withdrawn, temporarily or permanently, if they stop being met; in summer 2024 flags were taken down in El Puerto de Santa María over lifeguard shortcomings.
What it does not guarantee: it is not a ranking of the most beautiful beaches nor the only measure of quality. The group Ecologistas en Acción criticises it every year, saying it rewards services more than real environmental management.

Season: when the flag flies

The flag only applies during the official bathing season:

Requirements must be met by 1 July at the latest, and ADEAC checks compliance until the end of the official bathing season, when the flag comes down.
In Andalusia the regional Health Department publishes fortnightly bathing water quality reports from 1 June (2025 season).
Exact start and end dates of the season and of lifeguard cover are set by each municipality: we have not confirmed them for 2026 or 2027. Check your town hall's website before travelling.
Out of season (for example in November) the beach remains on that year's list, but there is normally no flag flying and no lifeguards.
The 2027 list will be announced in May 2027 (in 2026 it was on 5 May). A beach can join or leave the list from one year to the next.

Tips for choosing a beach and a place to stay

The practical side:

If you travel with children or people with reduced mobility, the flag means lifeguards and adapted access in season; check times on the beach information board.
The easterly levante wind often blows on the Costa de la Luz: it can change a beach day a lot, flag or no flag.
Ask the property how far the nearest Blue Flag beach is and whether there is parking or public transport.
Look at the total price, with taxes and cleaning. Andalusia has no tourist tax. More at /andalusia-tourist-tax-2026.
Check the property's registration number (Andalusian Tourism Register). More at /spain-holiday-rental-registration-number-2026.
Read the cancellation policy before paying and, if you can, book directly with the property.

If you run a property on the Costa de la Luz

What travellers typically ask AI assistants about beaches:

Which Blue Flag beach is nearest and how many minutes away on foot or by car.
Whether there are lifeguards and adapted access, and on which dates.
Total price, summer minimum stay and cancellation policy.
Keeping this clear and up to date on your website and listings (and reviewing it every May, when the new list comes out) avoids wrong answers.
Related guide: Cádiz Carnival 2027 at /cadiz-carnival-2027-dates-accommodation.

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Frequently asked questions

How many Blue Flag beaches are there in Cádiz and Huelva in 2026?

32 in Cádiz province and 12 in Huelva province, according to the data ADEAC released on 5 May 2026. Andalusia has 143 in total and Spain 677.

Who awards the Blue Flag?

In Spain, ADEAC (Asociación de Educación Ambiental y del Consumidor), the national operator of the international programme coordinated by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

What does the Blue Flag guarantee?

That during the bathing season the beach meets criteria on excellent water quality, lifeguards, safety, accessibility, cleanliness and environmental information. If it stops meeting them, the flag can be withdrawn.

When does the flag fly?

Only during the official bathing season, set by each municipality. Requirements must be met by 1 July at the latest. We have not confirmed each beach's exact 2026 or 2027 dates.

When is the 2027 list published?

In May 2027. In 2026 ADEAC published it on 5 May.

Sources

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