Green Coast
WESSA Green Coast – protecting and promoting sustainable tourism
South Africa is blessed with an incredibly diverse coastline. Stretching over 2 500 kilometres from the border with Namibia in the west to the Mozambique border in the east, our coast has around 200 swimming beaches, 24 Marine Protected Areas and 3 World Heritage Sites.
Green Coast – putting lesser known coastal areas on the tourism map
The WESSA Green Coast Award protects and promotes high biodiversity coastal areas and eco-tourism destinations in South Africa that appeal to people seeking adventure and nature-based experiences.
To be eligible for Green Coast status, sites must be managed according to standardised criteria. The aim is to protect at least one of three main coastal themes – sensitive habitats, species and cultural heritage.
Local communities provide basic ecological monitoring, and support community-driven citizen science projects. Through their participation, residents actively participate in coastal stewardship and influence local policy decisions.
Current Green Coast Sites
Blaauberg Nature Reserve
Championed by the City of Cape Town, this site encompasses the sandy shores and lower dunes of the Blaauwberg Nature Reserve.
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Monthly beach clean-ups not only generate marine waste data and paint a picture of the extent and source of marine waste, they also encourage community involvement and an opportunity for environmental education.
The Blaauwberg Reserve has a dedicated environmental education centre and hosts a number of schools and community groups annually.
Residents and local and foreign visitors make good use of the Eerste Steen picnic site and multiple access points with viewing decks. The iconic view of Table Mountain, well-maintained facilities and protected coastal habitat makes this a first-class Green Coast site.
Nature’s Valley
Just 29 kilometres from Plettenberg Bay in the Western Cape, Nature’s Valley is flanked by an escarpment on one side and the Indian ocean on the other. It forms part of the Tsitsikamma National Park.
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Natures Valley Green Coast is implemented by the Nature’s Valley Trust (NVT) with support from the Bitou municipality and Plett Tourism. Monitoring includes the sandy shores and estuarine habitats, with regular Waterbird counts. Shorebird eggs, chicks and adults are monitored, along with marine debris, microplastics and the water quality of the Groot River estuary and mouth.
Visitors to the area enjoy a range of nature- based activities, including environmental education events. Together with regular clean ups, these events engage local schools and community members.
Natures Valley is a popular tourism destination with an influx of visitors in the summer holidays. It is a prime example of a Green Coast site.
Morgan Bay
Less than an hour from East London on South Africa’s Wild Coast, this peaceful seaside holiday village is blessed with a mile-long beach, safe swimming lagoon and picturesque sea cliffs.
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Morgan Bay Green Coast is championed by the Morgan Bay Ratepayers Association (MBRA) with support from the Great Kei Municipality. Their focus is the Gxara estuary, a key natural feature with ecological significance that is used extensively by residents and visitors for leisure activities.
Unfortunately the estuary has been affected by failing sewage infrastructure, heavy stormwater runoff and loadshedding. The MBRA has worked tirelessly to engage local authorities in a bid to improve the situation.
Green Coast provided the platform to bring stakeholders together. As a result, the infrastructure has been upgraded and sewage spills dramatically reduced.
The MBRA takes immense pride in the cleanliness of the beachfront and facilities, the upkeep of which they fund. Rich in natural and cultural assets, with an engaged citizenry, Morgan Bay an exemplary Green Coast site.
Kei Mouth
The seaside holiday village of Kei Mouth is situated 45 minutes’ drive from East London in South Africa’s scenic Eastern Cape Wild Coast.
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The focus is on monitoring the mudstone rocky shores, as well as an emerging mangrove population on the banks of the river. Stakeholders are active in environmental education and have formed subgroups e.g. the ‘Nature Nerds’ who are focusing on rehabilitating habitat for butterflies. Recently, there has been a push to clear invasive alien plants from the dune habitat and surrounds.
The community is very proud and protective of their Green Coast status and committed to environmental compliance.
With a variety of nature-based activities on offer, this unique tourism destination is an exemplary Green Coast site.
Gwaing
Located in George Municipality, the Gwaing Green Coast site encompasses the estuary, sandy shores, Garden Route Granite fynbos habitat, and the picnic and camp sites.
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George Municipality is the primary implementer at this site. The critically endangered Garden Route Granite fynbos habitat is the main focus, and will be monitored using species identification and density estimation.
The Gwaing River estuary attracts tourists visiting the nearby camp and picnic sites, and enhances the aesthetic appeal of the golf estates.
There is great potential for custodianship with neighbouring landowners, as well as heritage and tourism opportunities relating to the ‘strandloper’ caves, making Gwaing an ideal Green Coast site.
Chintsa
Divided by a lagoon, this unspoilt seaside paradise lies on the Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast.
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The focus is on mointoring the Chinsta Estuary, a prominent natural feature that lends itself to leisure activities. In the past there have been concerns about the water quality. Cinsta Green Coast was able to convince local authorities to include the estuary in a provincial estuary water quality monitoring programme.
Quarterly tests are conducted by technicians from the Walter Sisulu National Pollution Lab. So far, all results indicate that the estuary is healthy and water is safe for recreational use.
Fishing line bins have been installed at the beach entrances in an effort to reduce litter. In addition, an extensive environmental education programme has been implemented in local schools and in the community.
How to apply for the Green Coast Award
Queries?
Contact: WESSA Green Coast
Mike Denison
Senior Programme Manager
Email: greencoast@wessa.co.za
Green Coast status is subject to annual renewal, with both renewals and new applications due by end July. Fees are determined annually.
Please register new sites online, using the application form, manual, criteria checklist and templates below. You will receive updates on the progress of your application.
This includes a visit by the National Operator to assess whether the site aligns with the Green Coast criteria. WESSA will forward the site visit findings, completed applications, and supporting documents to the National Jury for evaluation.
The National Jury is responsible for determining whether to grant Green Coast status or request additional information before conferring such status.
