Three Puerto Rico beaches received Blue Flag recognition for the 2026-2027 season, the Organización Pro Ambiente Sustentable (OPAS) announced on Thursday, November 12. The awards went to Playa Puerto Nuevo in Vega Baja, Playa de Isla Palomino in Fajardo and Balneario Punta Salinas in Toa Baja. "In times of great challenges, maintaining a sustained commitment to environmental excellence has special value," said Carmen R. Valentín Del Río, OPAS executive director, who congratulated the honorees for their consistency and for showing year after year that concrete actions can make a difference.
Safe Harbor Puerto del Rey marina in Fajardo was also recognized, along with eleven tourist boats: nine from East Island Excursions (East Wind, Caribe Spirit, Tropical Escape, Eco Isleño, Zatara, Blue Paradise, Island Flyer, East Wind 2 and Ocean Ray) and two from Bellaventura del Caribe (Josiah’s Reach and Papeleo). Blue Flag is an international recognition developed by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) that promotes water quality, environmental management, safety and environmental education.
In 2026 the program reached 5,274 awards worldwide: 4,371 beaches, 745 marinas and 158 tourist boats. In Puerto Rico the Blue Flag season runs from November 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027 for beaches and until October 31, 2027 for marinas and tourist boats; honorees must keep meeting the program’s criteria and are subject to monitoring visits.