Costly Access Gibes: Lebanese Beach Visits Equate to Lavish Experiences

In the heart of the Mediterranean, Lebanon's coastline is often romanticized as a jewel on social media. However, a closer look reveals a different reality for many Lebanese residents.

The average population in Lebanon has been severely affected by the long-standing economic crisis, making a beach day a luxury for many families. The lack of a well-developed public transportation network further compounds the issue, as trips to the beach become a financial burden.

Beirut, the capital, experiences scorching temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius and humidity close to 60 percent during summer. Yet, the Mediterranean Sea, which stretches out along a roughly 5-kilometer-long promenade in Beirut, could provide relief from the heat. Unfortunately, the sea is polluted, and swimming in it requires payment.

Expensive beach clubs, private villas right on the beach, and restaurants with sea views occupy a large part of the coast that is not freely accessible. According to Mohammed Ajub, director of the NGO Nahnoo, only 40 kilometers of Lebanon's approximately 220 kilometers of Mediterranean coastline are not privatized.

Wastewater is often discharged into the sea or waste is disposed of at locations along the publicly accessible coastline, according to Ajub. This pollution is particularly evident at Ramlet al-Baida, one of the few public accesses to the sea in Beirut, which is almost nowhere else in the country as polluted, according to the CNRS research institute. As a result, many families in Beirut are forced to bathe at heavily polluted locations due to inability to afford entrance fees to cleaner beach clubs.

The water at Ramlet al-Baida is strongly advised against swimming due to very strong bacterial pollution. This year, water levels in Lebanon are as low as they've been in a long time, according to Nadim Faradschalla, head of sustainability strategy at the Lebanese-American University in Beirut. Political roadblocks in Lebanon are preventing the completion of crucial infrastructure projects, Faradschalla adds, which could help address the water crisis and improve beach conditions.

There is no political will in Lebanon to improve the condition of the beaches or secure more public access, according to Ajub. The responsibility for improving beach conditions and creating more public access in Lebanon primarily lies with local authorities and the government, often in collaboration with civil society organizations and NGOs working on environmental management and public services.

For the price, visitors to private beach clubs receive an umbrella with a lounger and a pool to swim in, but the sea along Beirut's coast is considered so polluted that swimming in the pool is a better option. On weekdays, the average entrance fee to these clubs ranges between 17 and 25 euros, and on weekends can reach up to 51 euros. Gasoline for trips to other beaches outside of Beirut, which sometimes charge lower entrance fees or are even free, is barely affordable for the average population.

Mohammed Ajub, director of the NGO Nahnoo, advocates for more public spaces in Lebanon. His organization works towards creating a more accessible and sustainable coastal environment for all Lebanese residents.