Algarve news and information portal - AlgarveMais

70 Algarve beaches and 4 Algarve Marinas have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag this year which more or less covers most of the coastline!  To achieve a Blue Flag a long list of criteria has to be met including water quality (the results have to be posted at the beach), safety (life guards, equipment ), standard of toilet facilities, cleanliness of the beach, preservation of the natural environment with walkways for crossing sand dunes, access, parking and much more.

18 Albufeira beaches
(Arrifes, Aveiros, Belharucas, Evarista, Falésia, Falésia Alfamar, Galé-Leste, Galé-Oeste, Manuel Lourenço-Galé, Maria Luisa, Olhos d'Água, Oura, Oura-Leste, Rocha Baixinha-Nascente, Rocha Baixinha-Poente, S. Rafael, Salgados and Santa Eulália)
Aljezur has Monte Clérigo, Arrifana and Odeceixe-Mar
Four Faro beaches:
Ilha do Farol-Mar, Faro-Mar, Culatra-Mar and Barreta
In Lagoa Municipality:
Carvoeiro town beach, Caneiros, Vale Centeanes  and Senhora da Rocha
All Five Lagos beaches:
Porto de Mós, Meia Praia, Dona Ana, Camilo, Batata  and Praia da Luz
In Loulé municipality:
Vilamoura, Quarteira, Vale do Lobo, Quinta do Lago, Garrão Poente (by Dunas Douradas), Garrão Nascente and Ancão
In Olhão municipality:
Armona-Mar, Fuseta-Mar, Fuseta-Ria
In Portimao municipality:
Alvor & Três Irmãos, Vau, Três Castelos and Praia de Rocha
In Silves municipality:
Armação de Pêra and Praia Grande
In Tavira municipality:
Barril (middle of Ilha de Tavira), Ilha de Tavira-Mar, Terra Estreita, Cabanas-Mar
In Vila do Bispo municipality:
Burgau, Zavial, Ingrina, Castelejo, Salema, Martinhal, Mareta, Cordoama and Almádena-Cabanas Velhas
In Vila Real de Santo António municipality:
Santo Antonio, Monte gordo, Manta rota and Lota.

The four Marinas with a Blue Flag are Albufeira, Lagos, Portimão and Vilamoura.

source: http://www.algarveuncovered.com