Sardinia cracks down on tourists stealing beach treasures

In Sardinia, as with every vacation season, tourists often take something from the beach besides a tan and good memories: sand, shells, and pebbles. However, on the Italian island, this is forbidden and strictly punished.

Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea by area. Its paradise beaches are famous worldwide. Unfortunately, tourists have been taking sand and shells from its beaches by the handful for years. Because of this, strict regulations have been in place since 2017 to prevent this practice.

Signs with the rules currently in force in Sardinia are posted in seaside towns, and an ongoing information campaign is also underway. However, according to Italian media, it is still not enough.

Tourists still pack beach "souvenirs" in bags or bottles and try to take them away with impunity. Sometimes, they even send these finds by mail, but the authorities, who are very vigilant, catch them.

Every year, Italian customs officials at airports and ports confiscate hundreds of pounds of such loot from tourists. These individuals often offer silly excuses, claiming they didn't know it was not allowed.

Recently, tourists from Italy and Germany were detained for such an escapade. During a check at the port in Olbia, from where they were departing by ferry from Sardinia, it was discovered they had suitcases full of shells and stones taken from the coast of Budoni in the Sassari province.

German tourists hid their Sardinian "souvenirs" in a camper they planned to use to sail towards Genoa.

Everything that was confiscated was sent to the customs agency. The shells and stones will then be returned to the beach.

The Sardegna Rubata e Depredata (Sardinia Looted and Robbed) Association reminded us that, according to established practice, sand, shells, and recovered stones are always returned to the beaches. They are even returned to a specific place if their exact origin can be determined.