The Balearics have done Spain proud again, winning a total of 67 Blue Flags for beach, marinas and a new category, sustainable vessels this year.
Only one Majorcan beach has failed to retain its flag, and that is Can Pere Antoni in Palma which, as a city beach, is fighting a battle to meet standards. The flag was in fact withdrawn last August because of the amount of plastic waste that had accumulated.
But the good news is that Majorca has picked up three new Blue Flags, one for the hugely popular beaches in Puerto Pollensa and Cala Major and the Real Club Nautico in Palma. Ibiza has lost two - Port de Sant Miguel and Santa Eularia - while Minorca has lost one of its flags at Port de Fornells.
Nevertheless, the Balearics have performed well, with three new flags for sustainable sea cleaning vessels. There are only five of these in Spain with the other two being in Malaga.
Looking at the larger picture, the Balearic flags help towards the total of 969 flags Spain has been awarded, 12 more than last year. These make Spain the most sustainable beach and marine destination in the world, according to the Blue Flag programme, which is operated under the auspices of the Foundation for Environmental Education based in Copenhagen.