Greece protects 251 beaches, including Crete, under stricter environmental rules

The Greek ministries of Environment, Energy and Economic Development have placed a total of 251 coastal sites—including several in Crete—under an enhanced protection regime as part of the Natura 2000 network. These "Apátites Beaches" are prohibited from being used for simple rental purposes and from activities that could alter their morphology or disturb ecological functions. Specific bans cover motorized vehicles, events with more than ten participants, amplified music, the placement of movable furniture such as umbrellas and sun‑beds, rental of water‑craft, and the operation of mobile kiosks.

Citizens can help enforce the rules through the free MyCoast mobile application. Users locate a protected area on a digital map or scan a QR code posted on site, view detailed information about the concession, and can submit a complaint—anonymous or identified—if they witness illegal occupation or other violations. The system records the type of breach and a brief description, aiming to support the preservation of the beaches' aesthetic, geomorphological and ecological values.