Spain on top for blue-flag beaches...again

Yacht marinas and tourist boats also receive the superior-quality kitemark ahead of each summer, and 101 of the former, compared with 100 in 2017, plus five of the latter – three in Mallorca and two in Málaga – have earned blue flags.

Beaches are the main recipients, and last year's 579 blue-flag coastal areas have now risen to 590.

In total, Spain now holds 696 blue flags, a small increase on last summer's 684.

A high number of blue-flag beaches have been winning these awards consistently for many years – about 20% have received the kitemark every year for the last five to nine years inclusive, and another 10% for a decade or more.

The Comunidad Valenciana, along the east coast of the mainland, continues to be Spain's largest blue-flag beach region, with 132, up from 129 last year.

Galicia in the far north-west has 109, having lost four from 2017, and Catalunya has 101, representing a slight increase on last year's 96.

Catalunya, the Balearic Islands, Andalucía, Galicia and the Comunidad Valenciana have the most blue-flag yacht marinas, in that order.

Cleanliness, quality, safety, accessibility and excellent facilities are required for the crème of all quality standards, and new rules mean lifeguards must have access to a defibrillator in a location where they can get it to any bather within under five minutes.

Around 3,000 people are known to be still alive today because of the presence of mind and tireless work of the 3,200 lifeguards on Spain's beaches.