Brazil confirmed 60 Blue Flag sites for the 2025/2026 season — 50 beaches and 10 marinas — keeping the country as South America's leader in the programme. The international jury, meeting at the Foundation for Environmental Education's headquarters in Copenhagen, approved the candidatures put forward by the national jury, which includes the Ministry of Tourism and the Instituto Ambientes em Rede.

The figure represents continued growth for a programme that, being in the Southern Hemisphere, runs on a summer season spanning the turn of the year. Awarded sites are spread across five states: Alagoas, Bahia, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina and São Paulo.

Santa Catarina leads the country

Santa Catarina consolidated its position as the state with the most awarded destinations, with 31 sites. The municipalities of São Francisco do Sul and Bombinhas stood out as the only two in the country with five approved beaches each. In the Southeast, Rio de Janeiro accounted for 19 approvals and São Paulo four, while the Northeast added six between Alagoas and Bahia.

Every Blue Flag raised reflects the commitment of governments, businesses and communities to the coastline.

The season also brought first-time candidates, including Praia José Gonçalves in Armação de Búzios, Praia do Foguete in Cabo Frio, Praia Vermelha in Penha and Praia dos Molhes do Atalaia in Itajaí. Each site must meet 38 criteria on water quality, environmental management, safety, infrastructure and education to fly the flag.