Beach hoggers face fines of €750 in San Javier and San Pedro del Pinatar
Beachgoers in San Javier and San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, need to think twice before reserving a spot with unattended towels, chairs or umbrellas, as both towns have introduced fines of up to €750 for people caught "hogging" beach areas by leaving personal items unattended.
The rule, aimed at curbing this frustrating practice, has been in place in San Javier since 2021 and in San Pedro del Pinatar since 2017. These towns are currently the only ones in the region actively enforcing such fines.
The crackdown was recently highlighted on social media, where the Local Police were seen removing unattended items and issuing fines. The practice of staking out beach spots early in the morning and returning later has long been a source of frustration for other beachgoers.
In addition to deterring beach hogging, the fines are also intended to simplify beach cleaning. If cleaning crews find unattended items, they are authorised to remove and store them at the local police station. Owners can retrieve their belongings within 14 days, after which the items will be discarded as waste if not claimed.
While other nearby towns like Mazarrón and Cartagena have yet to adopt similar rules, they continue to address complaints informally, with locals often moving the offending items themselves.
Despite the potential benefits of these fines, concerns have been raised about how well the regulations are communicated, especially to tourists who may be unaware of the rules. With little signage or multilingual notices, many visitors might unknowingly face fines, raising questions about whether more should be done to inform tourists of these local customs.
