It’s just been announced that 11 of Malta’s beaches have been given blue flag status by the Foundation for Environmental Education, a status awarded for one season and renewed each year, should standards be met.

The Malta Tourism Authority welcomed the announcement on social media, explaining that “for the beaches to qualify for this prestigious award, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety-related and access-related criteria must be met and maintained.”

And now, here are the beaches that have received Blue Flag status this year:

Bugibba Perched Beach

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A post shared by Kiria☀️🌈🤞🏼🤘🏼✌🏼🤙🏼✌🏼🇨🇺 (@liluckliluc) on Oct 30, 2018 at 11:54am PDT

Fond Ghadir (Sliema)

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Golden Sands Beach

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A post shared by Barbara Gajdzik (@barbaragajdzik) on Feb 26, 2020 at 11:23pm PST

Ghajn Tuffieha Bay

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A post shared by E.A,,, エマッド (@emadlhershami) on Feb 27, 2020 at 3:26am PST

Mellieha Beach

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A post shared by Elin Axell🎈 (@eliinaxell) on Nov 2, 2016 at 1:21pm PDT

Qawra Point Beach

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A post shared by Ian Attard (@ianattard) on Nov 30, 2017 at 4:13am PST

St George’s Bay (St Julian’s)

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A post shared by Rafael Paz (@rafaelblessed) on Mar 19, 2020 at 6:47am PDT

Westin Dragonara Beach Club, St Julian’s

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A post shared by ♡ Poppy Dawson (@poppy.dawson) on Jul 30, 2019 at 10:29am PDT

Hondoq ir-Rummien Bay

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A post shared by Gabrielle Baldacchino (@gab.baldacchino) on Oct 19, 2019 at 7:32am PDT

Marsalforn Bay

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A post shared by 𝕽𝖎𝖙𝖎𝖊𝖓𝖓𝖊 (@bigeniritienne) on Apr 26, 2020 at 10:14am PDT

Ramla Bay

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A post shared by Ji Lou (@ji_travel_europe) on Apr 7, 2020 at 2:57pm PDT

Last year, 12 beaches had been given blue flag status, with 'Islands Edge Beach' (Paradise Bay Hotel) not making the cut this year due to renovation works.