Pregnant reality TV star and podcaster Vogue Williams was reportedly asked to leave a Spanish supermarket recently for wearing a bikini, highlighting some of the unusual and strict beach and public space regulations that exist around the world. As many travelers prepare for summer holidays, understanding local beach rules is increasingly important to avoid fines or confrontations.

In Spain, vaping on beaches has been prohibited in several locations, including Barcelona’s coastline, where the ban introduced in 2022 carries fines of 30 euros for violators. Some municipalities in Mallorca have implemented similar restrictions. Additionally, certain Spanish resorts have rules against walking around streets in swimwear, while in Vigo, a fine of 750 euros may be imposed for urinating on the beach or in the sea, a measure designed to protect marine hygiene and biodiversity. Similar regulations apply in Marbella and parts of Portugal.

Italy’s Sardinia island enforces a number of notable regulations at Punta Molentis beach. There, beach umbrellas are banned for children over the age of ten and adults under 65. Visitors are also subject to entrance fees of 10 euros when arriving by land, and boaters have a one-hour limit for disembarking. Further, the local council at Spiaggia della Pelosa is said to have banned towels to minimize sand removal, which is consistent with broader policies across Sardinia that prohibit taking sand or shells from beaches.

In the United Kingdom, the Coastal Protection Act 1949 makes it illegal to remove sand, shells, or pebbles from beaches, with fines reaching up to £1,000. The law aims to prevent environmental degradation and erosion caused by industrial-scale extraction.

Japan’s beaches reflect cultural sensitivities surrounding tattoos. Although tattoos are not outright banned, individuals with visible ink may be asked by security or beach patrols to cover up or leave, owing to tattoos’ historical association with criminal groups in the country.

Regulations also address other beach activities internationally. In Tenerife’s municipality of Arona, which includes Las Americas and Los Cristianos, forming sand sculptures is prohibited to protect the ecosystem, with potential fines of up to 1,500 euros. However, typical family sandcastle building is not penalized. On some U.S. beaches, such as Del Mar in San Diego, digging holes deeper than two feet is forbidden to prevent hazards, and parents can be held responsible for children’s violations.

Other restrictions highlight cultural or safety concerns. Alcohol consumption is banned at Bondi Beach in Sydney to reduce antisocial behavior. In Muslim-majority countries like the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Oman, swimwear rules differ between private hotel beaches—where bikinis are generally permitted—and public beaches, which require more modest attire covering shoulders and knees. Nudity is strictly prohibited.

Additional local bylaws include New Jersey’s Cape May beach, where swimsuits or bikinis are only allowed between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., with shirts required in public spaces during those hours. West Sussex’s Arun Council introduced a ban on horse riding on beaches during daylight hours in summer months, with similar restrictions on dogs in certain areas.

In Goa, India, beach photography requires explicit consent, enforced through plainclothes police patrols, with unauthorized photography punishable by up to three years in prison.

Finally, a historical prohibition in France’s Granville prohibits the presence of elephants and other wild animals on beaches, a rule enacted after circus elephants contaminated coastal waters in 2009, reflecting efforts to maintain public health and beach access.

These varied regulations underscore the importance of researching local rules to ensure compliance and to protect natural environments while enjoying coastal destinations.