Coastal beauty spots in Sardinia are facing an invasion of tourist party boats, leading to widespread anger among locals and conservationists. The Mediterranean Sea surrounding the Italian island, particularly the protected Maddalena National Park, has seen an influx of yachts and dinghies this summer.
Footage from the archipelago, which comprises about 60 islands, shows numerous pleasure craft crowding the waters, with their anchors reportedly damaging the seabed. One video captured a karaoke boat party in the protected zone. Rosanna Giudice, president of the Maddalena National Park, described the scene to La Nuova Sardegna, stating, "They come swarming in like locusts." She noted that as many as 6,500 boats have been observed in an area that can only sustainably accommodate around 2,500 per day.
Lino Cozzuto, head of the environmental protection group Guardie Ambientali Sardegna, told The Times that while local governments attempt to regulate beach access, anchoring at sea is "out of control." Italian law mandates that boats anchor at least 650 feet from beaches and 320 feet from rocky shores. However, many rented dinghies frequently anchor much closer, circumventing beach quotas and posing risks to swimmers and the environment. The proliferation of boat rental apps has been cited as a factor enabling this behavior. Furthermore, some local businesses have opposed environmental regulations, with boat rental associations reportedly arguing that environmental concerns are being used to stifle competition.
Enforcement presents a significant challenge, given that the protected park spans approximately 47,000 hectares, with only 2,500 hectares being land.
Cozzuto indicated that the surge in boats has created an "enormous amount of work" for the coastguard. This situation in Sardinia is part of a broader issue of overtourism in Italy, prompting authorities to implement stricter measures. In addition to the issues at sea, officials are also cracking down on 'umbrella cheats' – tourists who reserve beach spots with belongings. Holidaymakers attempting to save loungers and towels on public beaches face fines of up to €500 (£428). Unattended items have been confiscated from beaches across the country, including in Torre del Greco, Castellabate, Campomarino, and Sicily. Officials emphasize that these rules are in place to ensure public access to coastal areas and prevent informal claiming of prime beach locations. Leaving items behind can also hinder beach cleaning efforts and create safety hazards during adverse weather.