The American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA), which administers the Blue Flag programme in the United States on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education, confirmed its 2026 list in late April: three beaches, the smallest possible spread across two states, will fly the flag for the coming season.

Westward Beach in Malibu, California, held onto its status for a fourth consecutive year. In Florida, Spanish River Park Beach in Boca Raton earned the award for a second year, while Delray Beach Municipal Beach, also in Palm Beach County, matched Westward Beach's four-year run. No other US beach met the programme's criteria this season.

A programme still finding its footing

Blue Flag USA is a comparatively young chapter of the international network: the certification is well established in Europe, where Spain alone holds 677 beaches, but has expanded slowly along US coastlines since its introduction. Local officials framed the award as a marketing and management milestone rather than a routine renewal. Boca Raton mayor Andy Thomson called it recognition of the city's "continued commitment to outstanding water quality and public safety," while Delray Beach mayor Tom Carney said the city was "proud to provide a beach that meets the highest international standards."

Beaches attract 3.4 billion visitors annually across the US — a scale that puts pressure on the small number of sites that meet the programme's standards.

Palm Beaches tourism CEO Milton Segarra noted that the county is "home to more Blue Flag-designated beaches than any other county in the U.S.," underlining how concentrated the programme still is in the country. Each site must meet more than 30 criteria covering water quality, environmental management, safety services and public education to hold the flag.