Brazil has picked up 75 Blue Flag certifications for the 2026-2027 season — a national record and a 25% jump on the previous year. That puts the country second in the Americas for the eco-label, behind only the United States, and cements its role as South America's benchmark for independently vetted beaches and marinas.
The Blue Flag stamp, run by the Foundation for Environmental Education, isn't just about pretty sand. Winners must pass strict checks on water quality (with regular testing), environmental management, safety, waste handling, visitor facilities and environmental education. Certifications last a single season, so sites have to keep earning the flag year after year.
The new tally covers 63 beaches and 12 marinas across seven states. Santa Catarina dominates with 38 certified spots, well ahead of Rio de Janeiro (20) and Bahia (7). São Paulo has five, Alagoas three, and Ceará and Paraná one each.
A few veterans keep proving the standard. Tombo Beach in Guarujá, near São Paulo, has now held the flag for 17 straight seasons — a favourite with surfers thanks to its reliable waves, backed by green hills. Prainha in Rio, 14 seasons strong, sits away from the city crowds with white sand, steep green cliffs and good surf. Three beaches have each logged 11 awards: Ponta de Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe on Ilha dos Frades in Salvador's Bay of All Saints (warm, clear water suited to swimming and diving), Lagoa do Peri in Florianópolis (a freshwater lagoon with hiking trails, otters and capuchin monkeys), and Praia Grande in Governador Celso Ramos.
This year's newcomers are worth a look too. Florianópolis adds Daniela, Açores and Moçambique to its roster, while Itapema do Norte, Molhe and Mar Grosso also make the cut — Mar Grosso becoming the first beach on Santa Catarina's southern coast ever certified.
Embratur president Bruno Reis framed the record as a competitiveness boost, arguing that certified quality plus Brazil's mix of natural pools, clear water, culture and food makes its sun-and-beach offer increasingly hard for international travellers to ignore.
The programme marks 20 years in Brazil this cycle, with the national awards ceremony set for 6 November 2026 at the Santa Catarina Yacht Club in Florianópolis.
Why should you care? If you like a beach holiday with a signal that the water is genuinely clean and the facilities properly managed, the Blue Flag list is a practical shortcut. Brazil's record haul also spreads the options beyond the obvious Rio postcards — Santa Catarina alone could fill a two-week trip, and the freshwater lagoon and island beaches give you variety you won't find in most coastal destinations.
