On paper, Lebanon’s coastline is public and open to all. In practice, it’s a different story.

Activists say up to 80% of the country’s coast is occupied by private businesses that charge for entry, and the remaining 20% is often crowded and full of pollution.

So when a fence, then a wall, then a gate began to appear at a popular local beach in Batroun, north of Lebanon, locals decided to act.

With some beach resorts costing up to $50 U.S. dollars a visit - about half the monthly minimum wage - some Lebanese see them as symbols of the inequality gripping the country since the economic crisis started in 2019.

Context travelled to Lebanon in the middle of tourist season to find the disappearing public beaches and learn how campaigners are fighting back.

00:00 Intro
01:20 How we got here
02:38 Lebanon's private beaches
03:40 Abu Ali Beach
05:11 How to privatize a beach
06:09 The Eden Bay Hotel
08:29 Private beaches around the world
09:55 Conclusion


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We make short documentaries, explainers and original series for people who care about the world’s biggest challenges. Context is anchored around three of the most significant and interdependent issues of our time: climate change, the impact of technology on society and inclusive economies. We contextualize how critical issues and events affect ordinary people, society and the environment.

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