A popular Sardinian beach has implemented stringent new regulations ahead of the summer season, including a ban on beach umbrellas for the majority of visitors. Punta Molentis beach, located in Villasimius on Sardinia's southwest tip, has introduced these measures to safeguard its natural environment following significant damage from past weather events.
Under the new ordinance, individuals aged between 10 and 65 years old are prohibited from setting up beach umbrellas or other forms of shade, such as gazebos and tents. Exceptions are made for families with children up to 10 years old, who may bring one umbrella per family unit. Additionally, individuals aged 65 and over are permitted one umbrella per person. Any shade installations provided by the authorities on the beach remain permissible.
Beyond the umbrella restrictions, access to Punta Molentis beach is now tightly controlled. Only 70 vehicles are allowed to park per day, and a maximum of 150 people can be on the dunes at any given time. Visitors must reserve their access online in advance, incurring a fee of €10 (approximately £8.60) per person. Access will be suspended once maximum capacity is reached, and valid parking tickets must be displayed.
For those arriving by boat, further restrictions apply. Boat visitors are limited to one hour on the dunes, and disembarking with rucksacks or cool bags is not permitted. Only 100 people are allowed to visit the beach by boat at any one time, with a charge of €5 (approximately £4.30) each. The beach itself operates with specific opening hours, from 8am to 9pm. These comprehensive regulations are scheduled to remain in place until 31 October, with the possibility of extension.
The council's decision comes after extensive fires in July 2023 ravaged hundreds of hectares of vegetation, threatening Punta Molentis and necessitating the evacuation of coastal areas. While no casualties were reported, several cars in the car park were destroyed. Last year's fires, alongside other severe weather events, have diminished the capacity of the sand dunes and endangered local habitats, leading the council to deem it 'necessary' to limit human impact on the delicate beach ecosystem.