The Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature -coordinator of the international Blue Flag programme in Greece- announced the prized beaches and marinas for 2012, on May 23.

A total of 394 beaches and 9 marinas were awarded by the international non-profit Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), putting Greece in second place -after  rival Spain- out of the 46 countries taking part in the  blue flag scheme.

The prefectures of Lasithi (on Crete), and Halkidiki (northern Greece) along with the islands of Corfu and Rhodes topped the list of destinations with the most Blue Flag beaches.

 Meanwhile, the Special Secretariat for Water of the Environment, Energy and Climate Change Ministry released its 2011 report on bathing water quality, concluding that 95% of the bathing water in Greece is of excellent quality. The Blue Flag is an internationally recognised standard for quality, rewarding sustainable development at beaches and marinas, relying on stringent criteria such as water quality and environmental education.

Greek News Agenda: Blue Flags 2010 & Blue, Clean Waters