Umbrellas, sun loungers and tents illegally installed on Lara Beach

A dispute has once again erupted at Cyprus’s protected Lara Beach over the possibility of creating an organised tourist area. The controversy was triggered by umbrellas, sun loungers and tents found on the beach in violation of the rules in force.

Lara Beach is one of the most important nesting sites for sea turtles in Cyprus. Green turtles and loggerhead sea turtles lay their eggs here.

Following reports of violations, the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (DFMR) reminded the public that, in the Lara–Toxeftra protected area, it is prohibited to install umbrellas, sun loungers, tents and caravans from 1 June to 30 September. Staying on the beach overnight is also prohibited, from one hour before sunset until one hour after sunrise.

The department stressed that these restrictions have been in place for many years. They were introduced as early as 1989 to protect sea turtle nesting sites. If violations are identified, the DFMR intends to take the measures provided for by law.

Both turtle species have been protected under Cypriot legislation since 1970. The department has been running a programme to protect their nests on the Lara and Toxeftra beaches since 1978.

The Lara–Toxeftra protected marine area covers a coastal zone extending up to 90 metres inland from the sea, as well as marine waters down to a depth of 20 metres. It stretches from Argaki tou Yiousoufi in the north to the mouth of the Aspros River in the south.

Environment Commissioner Ilias Myriantous condemned the installation of beach equipment and at the same time expressed concern about how effectively inspections are being carried out and fines imposed.

Yiakos Tsivikos, deputy mayor of Inia, in turn said there was no reason to assume that the equipment had been installed by local residents. According to him, Lara receives up to 300,000 visitors in summer.

Tsivikos also renewed his call to allow umbrellas and sun loungers to be installed on the eastern, rocky part of the beach. He believes that a sustainable solution must be found to reconcile people’s leisure, environmental protection and the preservation of the sea turtle population.

A similar situation arose in 2023, when the creation of an organised beach at Lara was discussed once again. At the time, the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research opposed issuing permits for the installation of sun loungers and umbrellas, citing legislative restrictions.

The area is protected under nature and wildlife conservation legislation, is part of the Natura 2000 network and is also covered by the Protocol on Specially Protected Areas of the Barcelona Convention.

Following the intervention of the department’s leadership, plans to create an organised beach were suspended at the time.