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Steep beach fines in Spain: why you could pay up to €3,000 for breaking summer rules
From paddle tennis to fishing and diving, beachgoers face hefty penalties if they stray into prohibited areas
If you are planning to make the most of Spain’s beaches this summer, you might want to brush up on the rules before heading out with your paddle bat, fishing rod or surfboard. Spanish coastal regulations are strict, and breaking them could see you facing fines running into thousands of euros.According to legal experts at Legálitas, a legal services company across Spain, some activities are completely off limits in certain parts of the beach and the penalties are far from small. Playing paddle tennis or surfing in prohibited zones, for example, can lead to fines of up to €3,000. Fishing without the right licence or outside authorised hours could cost you as much as €1,500, while diving in unauthorised spots can bring a penalty anywhere between €300 and €6,000.
The rules are there for both safety and order, especially in the busy summer months. Beaches are divided into designated areas to protect swimmers, boats and sports enthusiasts from clashing. Yellow buoys mark bathing zones (usually within 200 metres of the shore), and only swimmers are allowed inside. Any motorised boat, jet ski or paddleboarder entering these waters risks a serious fine.
Further out, boating zones begin beyond that 200-metre limit, and watercraft can only reach the beach using marked nautical channels. Sports zones are decided locally and should be clearly signposted. These may be the only places where activities like surfing, paddleboarding, windsurfing or beach volleyball are permitted. Straying outside them could result in penalties of a few hundred to several thousand euros, depending on the municipality.
It is not just water sports that are affected. On busy beaches, anything that might disturb other bathers, from ball games to jogging or cycling on the shore, can be banned. In some towns, such as San Pedro del Pinatar, Vigo and Benidorm, even a friendly game of paddle tennis in the wrong spot can be classed as a minor offence with fines of up to €750.
Fishing is also heavily regulated during peak season. Most coastal areas ban it on busy beaches during bathing hours, typically 10am to 8pm. In some places, such as Benidorm, the restriction stretches from 9am to 9pm, while in Malaga you may only fish at night and away from bathing areas. You will generally need a licence and fishing in prohibited zones, including nature reserves or sports areas, will land you with a fine. Authorities can even confiscate your rod if it poses a danger to others.
Diving is another activity that is far from free-for-all. Without explicit authorisation, it is forbidden in many locations, especially port areas, nautical channels, marine traffic zones and protected environments. Breaching the rules can cost from €300 up to €6,000, and repeat offenders risk having their equipment seized.
Legálitas’ advice is simple: know where you can and cannot do your chosen activity before setting foot on the sand or in the water. “Respecting the designated zones is key to enjoying the beach without legal or safety risks,” they warn.
You might also be interested in: Can a lifeguard really fine you for swimming under a red flag?
Image: RDNE Stock project/Pexels
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