The Regional Directorate for Sea Affairs, the body responsible for the coordination of the Blue Flag program in 2016, has validated 34 applications of coastal bathing areas located on the islands of Santa Maria, São Miguel, Terceira, Graciosa, Pico and Faial, and the applications of five marinas.
 
The 39 Azorean applications were also validated by the National Blue Flag Jury and are currently awaiting approval by the International Jury.
 
Applications of bathing areas to the Blue Flag are voluntary and submitted annually by the management bodies, especially by local authorities or, in some cases, by the Regional Directorate for Sea Affairs
 
The Blue Flag is an international award that distinguishes the bathing areas that meet, with a level of excellence, the requirements regarding bathing water quality, services and safety of users, availability of useful information, and environmental management and education.
 
This distinction gives special emphasis on environmental education, encouraging the active participation of citizens in the six activities that, at least, have to be carried out in each bathing area.
 
Accordingly, there are more than two hundred environmental education activities promoted by managing entities for this year in the Azores.
 
The Government of the Azores is committed to continue working with authorities to improve the quality of the archipelago's bathing areas, providing users with excellent conditions in the access to the sea.