Two international blue flag boat awards for Offshore Adventures, and Plettenberg Bay
The team at Offshore Adventures is thrilled to announce that their two boats, Robberg Express and Oceanic Express have both been awarded international Blue Flag status for the 2021/2022 season.
Offshore Adventures offers a marine safari to swim with the seals of Robberg and supports a number of conservation and research projects in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. Robberg Express and Oceanic Express are two of only four boats to have received Blue Flag status for the season.
The iconic Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary eco-label awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators. In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained. In South Africa, Blue Flag is administered by WESSA (Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa), an organisation that has, for the past 90 years, proactively engaged with the challenges and opportunities of our country’s unique natural heritage, and the social and economic opportunities that depend on it.
Offshore Adventures recognises the enormous value of preserving Plett’s natural coastal environment and are dedicated to supporting any marine- and conservation-related research, especially in the Robberg Nature Reserve and Marine Protected Area. They work alongside Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness and Rehabilitation Centre to rehabilitate stranded seal pups and return them safely to their colony on Robberg and are proud supporters of Plett Hope Spot. “We are proud to be part of a community that prioritises conservation, particularly marine conservation. Our Blue Flag boat status is a flag that we fly proudly,” says Jaco Kruger, owner of Offshore Adventures. “As a member of the marine tourism industry in Plettenberg Bay for almost 20 years, the evidence of conservation efforts is clear to see over time.”
“We are thrilled that Offshore Adventures has received their Blue Flag status for the 8th year in a row. It’s wonderful that the hard-working team at Offshore Adventures understands the value of such an award,” says Plett Tourism CEO, Patty Butterworth. “One of our most important assets is to maintain the sensitive eco-systems of our waterways.”
Plettenberg Bay has also received Blue Flag status for six of its top beaches for 2021/2022 season.
