Beaches

After a tense week in which the city's beaches were closed due to microbial contamination, the Ministry of Health announces that normal results have been received for Bat Galim beach. Now, all beaches in Haifa are open again to the general public.

Following the closure of Haifa's beaches earlier this week, the Ministry of Health and the Haifa Municipality announce that the Naot beach in Kiryat Haim has reopened for swimming following normal sampling results. The swimming ban at Bat Galim remains in effect.

Repeated water quality tests in Haifa have led to the lifting of the swimming ban at several sites, though two popular beaches remain closed due to continued pollution.

The Ministry of Health has ordered the immediate closure of all Haifa beaches for swimming due to abnormal sampling results from a sea water quality test. The public is requested to follow the instructions and avoid swimming until an official update is received.

The swimming and tourism season is at its peak, with hundreds of thousands of Israelis visiting the Sea of Galilee daily. In response, the Kinneret Cities Association has extended lifeguard operating hours to ensure public safety.

The court approved a mediation agreement that will lead to the upgrade and expansion of the Timarim wastewater treatment plant by 2029. The facility will be able to treat double the amount of sewage, and additional reservoirs will be built. The agreement was signed following a class action lawsuit filed by beachgoers and surfers on Ashdod's beaches.

Sharks were spotted within a few days off the coast of New York, leading to nearly 50 beach closures since the start of the season. Now, the city police are operating a fleet of drones that broadcast real-time video from the air and warn lifeguards when they spot suspicious silhouettes in the water. "The lifeguard is constantly yelling 'Shark!'" describe bathers who are adapting to the new...

Extremely strong westerly winds prompted an immediate safety measure today, Tuesday, at several popular Sea of Galilee beaches. Following a joint assessment by the Kinneret Cities Association and the Israel Police, black flags were raised at the Tzinbari, Berniki, and Shikmim beaches, and bathers were ordered to exit the water immediately.

Planning to bring a speaker to the beach in Portugal? Used to walking from the sea to a restaurant in a swimsuit in Spain? Or perhaps you thought about relieving yourself in the sea while vacationing in Vigo? You might want to think again. Against the backdrop of overtourism and environmental damage, more and more authorities in Europe are tightening beach conduct rules — with fines that can reach...