Garachico Port Awarded Blue Flag as Canary Islands Expand Public Eco-Port Network

The port of Garachico has been awarded a Blue Flag, a milestone that signals a major shift in how the Canary Islands manage their public maritime infrastructure. This recognition confirms that the port meets high standards for sustainability, safety, and accessibility. It also marks a move toward a public management model that rivals the quality of private facilities, which previously held a monopoly on this distinction.

Garachico joins a select group of public ports—including Agaete, Caleta del Sebo, Gran Tarajal, Órzola, and Playa Blanca—as part of a government plan to modernize the region’s port network. Pablo Rodríguez, the Minister of Public Works, stated that the goal is to build a network of "eco-ports" centered on digitalization and energy efficiency. Smaller ports like Órzola, now the smallest in Spain to receive the award, are intended to serve as models for future candidates, such as La Restinga, Arguineguín, and Tazacorte.

Previously, only the private ports of Puerto Calero and Mogán held Blue Flag status in the Canary Islands. The addition of six public ports to this list—with an official ceremony scheduled for June 22 in Agaete—is expected to boost local fishing, recreational, and sporting activities. For José Gilberto Moreno, managing director of Puertos Canarios, this achievement is about more than just an environmental label; it represents a long-term commitment to waste management, better user services, and transparency, all of which are essential for competing on an international level.