A Blue Flag beach or marina indicates that a beach or marina has reach stringent requirements for water quality, safety, environmental education and information. There are 3 such locations on Als: Sønderborg Lystbådehavn, Sønderborg badestrand and Fynshavn badestrand. Sønderborg lystbadehavn, however goes one step further: it also has one of 14 Danish Blue Flag Centres.
What can you find there?
The Blue Flag centre in Sonderborg is a mobile exhibition and activity centre equipped with nets, buckets, waders, telescopes, aquaria, and all you can think of to help you explore the water in the area – all free for you to borrow! The centre is also staffed by a biologist, who was very happy to answer our questions and help us along when we visited.
Besides the activity centre, a variety of events are organised during the summer open season (Wednesday to Sunday 10-17 in weeks number 26–35). A number of activities from the packed programme that caught our eye included:
- Fjordsafari every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10-13 (100-150DKK)
- Fishing Tour on Friday 13th July from 10-14 (50-100 DKK)
- GPS Race (geocaching) on Friday 13th and Sunday 22nd July, and Saturday 4th August from 10-15
- Canoe Tour on Sunday 15th July (book by the 10th of July) from 10-15
- Beach Games on Friday 20th July from 13-16
- ‘Eat your coast’ on Saturday 21st July and Sunday 5th Augustr from 13-16
- Crab Day on Thursday 26th July from 14:30-16:30
- Snorkel Safari on Saturday 28th July and 11th August from 10-13
- Ship Builder for a day on Friday 3rd August from 14-16
- Beach Art on Friday 10th August from 10-15
- Closing event on Sunday 12th August from 15-17
We visited the Blue Flag Centre when our 9 year old nephew was visiting. He very happily spent 2hrs playing around on his own with the provided equipment, and could have easily stayed longer if it wasn’t time for dinner.
A must-do for anyone who has children. As for adults? I’m sure you can channel your inner child and amaze yourself at the sealife there is around us.
