LEBANON - Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Works has added 13 locations to the country’s list of officially designated free public beaches, bringing the announced total to 20 along the Lebanese coast.
The move, announced by Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rassamny weeks before the end of the summer season, aims to expand public access to the coastline, particularly for people who cannot afford entry fees at private beaches and swimming pools.
13 New Public Beaches
The newly authorized locations are Ghazir, Nahr Ibrahim, Monsef, Jounieh, Kfarabida, Dbayeh-Zouk El Kharab, Touhoum, Hamat, Okaibeh, Sidon, Ghaziyeh, Sarafand and Baysariyeh.
Several of these locations were already accessible to the public, with some municipalities previously organizing access and managing visitors. The new designation gives them formal status as public beaches under a ministerial decision.
This designation is intended to ensure that members of the public cannot be prevented from accessing the beaches.
The ministry’s list also includes beaches that had been authorized previously, including Barbara, Qlayaat, Tabarja, Kfaryassine, the Amchit Fishermen’s Cooperative, and beaches managed by the Blue Initiative Association in Ramlet El Baida, Byblos and Sarafand.
However, Sarafand appears on both the newly announced and previously authorized lists, resulting in 19 distinct locations based on the names provided, despite the ministry’s announced total of 20.
Entry Must Remain Free
Under the public beach arrangement, municipalities are expected to oversee the sites, either through municipal police or by contracting private operators.
Any private operator must leave part of the beach available to the public, while entry must remain free. Visitors are also allowed to bring their own food and drinks.
Operators can generate revenue through the sale of food and beverages and the rental of chairs, umbrellas or tents, rather than charging admission fees.
The Ministry of Public Works is responsible for ensuring the availability of lifeguarding and emergency response teams, according to the outlined arrangement.
Summer Season Will Test the Policy
The addition of new free beaches comes as access to Lebanon’s coastline remains divided between public areas and privately operated resorts, where entrance fees can place beach visits beyond the reach of many residents.
The coming summer seasons are expected to test whether the newly designated beaches can provide safe and accessible alternatives to private resorts and swimming pools for people across Lebanon.
