Blue Flag

The Blue Flag is an international eco-label for beaches, marinas and sustainable boating tourism operators. The Blue Flag programme promotes sustainable tourism development in freshwater and marine areas. It challenges local authorities, beach operators and sustainable boating tourism operators to achieve high standards in the six categories of:

• Water quality
• Environmental management
• Environmental education and information
• Safety and services
• Social responsibility
• Responsible tourism 

By choosing a Blue Flag awarded tour operator you contribute to the sustainable use of marine and freshwater environments, and encourage the wider tourism sector to put more efforts in minimising the negative effect recreational activities can have on the environment.

Elding was the first whale watching company in Iceland to be awarded the Blue Flag pennant in 2007 and since then we have taken firm steps to improve our impact on the environment while allowing our passengers to enjoy the wildness of nature. In 2015 the new Blue Flag criteria for sustainable boating tourism operators was presented and in 2016 Elding was one of the first whale watching companies worldwide to receive the Blue Flag Certificate for sustainable boating tourism operators. 

The Blue Flag is awarded by Landvernd, the Icelandic Environment Association, in cooperation with the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), both non governmental environmental organisations.

Read more about the Blue Flag.