Beyond the sand and surf, most of Broward's coastline also shares the distinction of being designated "Blue Wave" beaches.

It's an honor that recognizes beaches that are "managed with respect to the environment," according to the nonprofit group that bestows it, the Clean Beaches Council in Washington, D.C.

But critics dismiss the Blue Wave designation as a marketing gimmick because beaches have to pay to get it.

This year alone, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau spent $20,000 to earn the designation of Blue Wave Destination for five beaches and the surrounding hotels.

The cost of the certification is a small price compared with the publicity the Clean Beaches Council creates, said visitors bureau President Nicki Grossman.

"To be part of this is a big deal for a beach destination," Grossman said. "People, when they come, are happy to know their beach is under a program run by the Clean Beaches Council. You can't beat it."

The Broward County Environmental Protection Department and the visitors bureau split the cost of the program, Grossman said. Dania Beach, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale Beach, Hollywood and Pompano Beach all hold the Blue Wave designation, according to the council's Web site.

Beaches pay $2,500 to participate for the first year. For recertification, beaches pay $1,250, according to the organization's Web site. Designation of nearby hotels costs extra, Grossman said.

The money goes toward twice yearly inspections, an international and national media campaign, environmental audits, logo and trademark privileges and other services, according to the council's Web site.

One of the inspections is unannounced, and the Clean Beaches Council says it evaluates how beach staff manage water quality, natural habitat, sand erosion and other environmental issues.

Stephen Higgins, beach erosion administrator with Broward County, said the program helps protect the environment and attract tourists to the beaches.

"The benefits far outweigh what we consider a nominal cost," Higgins said. "If you're depending on a beach to be attractive to tourism and a revenue-producing asset, you need to manage it properly, and I think the program really encourages that." The Clean Beaches Council Web site names 57 beaches as certified Blue Wave beaches. Forty-eight of those listed are in Florida.

Noticeably absent from the list are any California beaches, and some critics say that is a conscious decision.

"It's a really a marketing program, and the organization has not been upfront about why certain beaches are not on the list," said Steve Aceti, executive director of California Costal Coalition, a league of coastal cities in that state.

Aceti said the Clean Beaches Council's marketing campaign has given the impression that California beaches don't meet the council's standards, when the reality is that the beaches have simply chosen not to buy into the system.

He added that an environmental watchdog called Heal the Bay issues report cards grading California beaches. Some beaches get C's or even F's from the group.

Walter McLeod, president of the Clean Beaches Council, said hiring his organization to perform an environmental assessment of the beach is akin to a company hiring an accounting firm to examine financial assets.

Asked if the council had ever rejected a beach that asked for Blue Wave status, McLeod said, "It's not pass-fail. It's an audit and certification. If you underwent an audit, the auditor wouldn't say you failed. The auditor would say, 'Here are some areas you need to address.' "

Other South Florida counties have begged off joining because of the pay-to-play system.

"There must be hundreds of beaches that aren't listed, but does that mean you're not a good beach?" said W.E. "Mac" McLaughlin, president of the Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Though the county has not paid the fee, Delray Beach is listed as a certified Blue Wave beach.

"If you don't pay for it, you're not listed," McLaughlin said. "That doesn't mean you're not a good beach. That's not a fair analysis of beaches."