Beaches and barbecues are a match made in heaven - there’s no question about the perfection created when a local beach becomes your outdoor kitchen, dining room and living room for a good couple of hours. So grab your kit and get ready to go - it’s grill time... should you hold a valid permit for your beach of choice, that is!
This summer saw a slight twist in the beach BBQ situation - mostly due to the state in which most beaches are left after a nighttime grill session. With laws and regulations set to control the local staple; a lot more cleanliness is expected, and rightly so!
If you’re looking to gnaw at some ribs by the sea, you’d better get your facts right...
Golden Bay & Mellieha Bay
Golden Bay and Mellieha Bay prohibit the use of charcoal on the beaches, regardless of time, season and so on. Gas burning BBQs can be your alternative though!
If your group of BBQ lovers stretches to 15 people, you will require a valid permit obtained from the Mellieha local council. Also obtainable from the Mellieha council are permits for charcoal BBQs to be carried out in Mistra, Torri l-Abjad, Armier and Little Armier beaches, as well as the three campsites in the Armier area.
Gnejna Bay & Riviera Martinique
Both of these beaches fall under the Mgarr local council’s protection, while Rivieira has additional protection from the Gaia Foundation. The Mgarr rules are a tad more lenient when it comes to fuel, but be warned - permits are still required before you light the flame!
Permit prices fluctuate depending on the size of your foodie group, and add an additional element to the beach party - a little bit of planning will definitely come in handy here.
And the moral of the story is...
The lesson to be learned from the stricter rules enforced is that respecting your environment is the only solution to enjoying some liberty. When reckless behaviour and poor judgement come into play, luxuries such as BBQs by the sea may become a nostalgic thing of the past for future generations.
It is our responsibility to clean up after ourselves, respect the area we are visiting and follow the necessary procedures in order to keep this summer tradition alive - and we don't know about you, but we certainly think it's worth it!