Worldwide beach wars: The fight for the best view heats up
- Paul Aage Hegvik
- Mar 14
- 4 min read
Have you ever placed a towel, cabana, or other personal items early in the morning to secure the perfect spot at the beach?
While it might seem like a clever move, this practice is stirring frustration among fellow beachgoers—and in some countries, it could even lead to hefty fines.
Beaches worldwide are becoming battlegrounds over fairness and access, as communities tackle the growing trend of claiming public spaces before others arrive.
Even the prime minister takes part in the debate
In Australia, a debate has emerged over the use of portable cabanas to reserve prime beach spots. Major outlets, like Sky News Australia, report that this has become such a problem that even the prime minister has weighed in.
Beachgoers have been setting up these structures early in the morning to claim space, often leaving them unattended for hours.
– One of the great things about Australia, unlike some parts of the world, [where] you go and you've got to pay to go to the beach, here, everyone owns the beach. Anthony Albanese Prime Minister in Australia
This practice has sparked criticism for undermining the egalitarian nature of Australia's public beaches.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the issue, stating that such behavior is «not on» and breaches the principle that «everyone owns the beach.»
He emphasized that Australian beaches are communal spaces where all individuals are equal, contrasting this with other parts of the world where beach access requires payment.
– One of the great things about Australia, unlike some parts of the world, [where] you go and you've got to pay to go to the beach, here, everyone owns the beach, he said during an interview on breakfast TV show january 7.
– It's a place where every Australian is equal. And that's a breach of that principle, really, to think that you can reserve a little spot as just yours.
«Logistical nightmare»
The controversy has gained international attention, with media outlets like the BBC covering the story. Locally, a poll by the Herald Sun revealed that 71% of respondents oppose the practice of reserving beach spots with cabanas.
Despite public disapproval, local authorities find it challenging to enforce regulations against this behavior.
Mornington Peninsula Mayor Anthony Marsh described enforcement as a «logistical nightmare,» noting the difficulty in monitoring and managing such activities without specific bylaws.
The debate continues as Australians grapple with balancing individual convenience and the collective enjoyment of public beach spaces.
The practice of reserving beach spots by leaving personal items unattended has sparked debates and led to regulatory actions in various countries:
€250 and €200 if you leave items
In certain regions, local governments have stepped in to address the problem. In Italy, for instance, authorities launched «Operation Safe Sea,» imposing fines of up to €200 for those attempting to reserve public beach spots by leaving unattended items like towels or umbrellas.
In Calpe in Alicante in Spain, authorities have imposed fines of up to €250 for individuals who leave items such as towels, chairs, and umbrellas on the beach before 9:30 am to reserve spots.
This measure aims to address the issue of «empty but reserved» loungers and ensure fair access to beach space.
Italian municipalities have implemented similar measures.
For instance, in 2016, authorities in certain regions fined tourists up to €200 for leaving belongings unattended to reserve beach spots, a practice they deemed unfair to other beachgoers.
Up to €36,000 if you disturb
In Portugal, authorities have targeted beachgoers who play loud music, imposing fines ranging from €200 to €36,000, depending on the severity of the disturbance.
This initiative seeks to maintain a peaceful environment for all visitors.
In Albufeira, also in Portugal, some holidaymakers have resorted to placing towels on sunbeds as early as 1 am to secure prime spots by the pool, acknowledging the unfairness of the practice but citing the actions of others as justification. This has led to discussions about implementing allocated sunbeds or formal reservation systems to ensure fairness among guests.
Greece - leaving personal items before 7 am
In popular tourist destinations like Zante, hotel guests have expressed frustration over sunloungers being reserved with towels as early as 7 am, leaving no available spots for others. This behavior has sparked online debates, with some suggesting the removal of unattended towels to discourage the practice. Etiquette experts advise against reserving sunbeds for extended periods without use, promoting fairness among all guests.
United States - reservation system
At Sand Harbor State Park in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, a reservation system was introduced during peak times to manage overcrowding.
Starting from August 2024, visitors were required to make reservations on weekends and holidays to access the beach, aiming to reduce traffic congestion and enhance the visitor experience.
These measures reflect a global effort to balance individual behaviors with the collective right to enjoy public beach spaces, ensuring fair access and preserving the communal nature of these environments.
