Cratos beach

[niceone]

six of us went there today, paid 25TL to get in, settled by the pool and a young lady came over and told us we could only use the beach, if we wanted to use the pool it would be 75TL each !

Will not be going back, other beach resorts let you use the beach and the pool, plus slides if they have them

[Deniz1]

Daylight robbery.

[rowan]

vote with your feet!

[hs.mummy]

I did not think they could charge to use just the beach. I though the only was round charging was to say it was to use the facilities. Was planning on going there atn some point with the family. Don't think we will now. Mr hs.mummy

[tomsteel]

I too thought the use of beaches, less military areas, was free to the public and there is a statute in law here to prevent charges being raised. Not that I want to visit Alcatraz Mk 11 anyway. However, if the hotels get away with charges without public clamour, they will all do so and the rights of citizens will be further eroded. Rise up and protest!

[frontalman]

You can come and use our pool for only 50TL - a bargain!

[niceone]

I don't remember there being a sandy beach there before, so I am guessing it's a man made beach which legally is theirs.

Thanks for the offer frontal man lmao

[tomsteel]

nice one, mute legal point here. There was always a shore-line there. Ergo, if someone places sand adjacent to it, do they now own the coastal area also?

[Keithcaley]

nice one, mute legal point here. There was always a shore-line there. Ergo, if someone places sand adjacent to it, do they now own the coastal area also?

My guess - and, of course, it is just a guess, is that if the public can legally access the coastline (given the previously mentioned restrictions vis-a-vis Military areas etc), and that if someone extends the coastline 'outwards' with sand or whatever, then the public can still access that 'newly created' coastline - and, presumably, the sea beyond it, as before...

I don't think that 'legal ownership' - leasehold / franchise etc, has anything to do with the right to access the coastline.

Thoughts?

[jofra]

...and then (just to improve the quality, scope and duration of discussion), we could consider the ownership of the foreshore (the area covered/uncovered between high and low tide) - or at least if there were any tides to speak of....

[Johnny Lee]

Nicones posting is spot on, they made he beach. Your day pass is for the beach are not the pool. The beach and shore is immaculate and pretty spectacular and really it is well worth the 25 TL. Snacks are reasonable and good.

The 75 TL pool charge is for that exact reason to put people off using it. It Is for Hotel guests. I do not mean any disrespect at all. But if you had paid Cratos prices to stay there ,would you want loads of visitors in the pool ?

[ham on brown]

Nicones posting is spot on, they made he beach. Your day pass is for the beach are not the pool. The beach and shore is immaculate and pretty spectacular and really it is well worth the 25 TL. Snacks are reasonable and good.

The 75 TL pool charge is for that exact reason to put people off using it. It Is for Hotel guests. I do not mean any disrespect at all. But if you had paid Cratos prices to stay there ,would you want loads of visitors in the pool ?

Is he beach men only ? Ffs wgaf

[Keithcaley]

Jofra, there's about 1 metre vertical distance between the very highest and lowest tides,as I recall...

As far as the foreshore goes, in a lot of places in the Med that's the only place that you are allowed to play beach/ball games.

JL, I agree, access to' hotel facilities proper' is different to Beach Access (which should be free anyway)...

H.O.B. - Not me!

[Johnny Lee]

Sorry typo meant the.

[tomsteel]

HOB, irrespective of what commercial organizations may or may not do, they cannot usurp the TRNC Statute on free access to beaches.

[Keithcaley]

Jl - it doesn't matter who made the beach - they took on the ownership / use of the land knowing full well that they are obliged by law to allow the public free access to the coastline.
If they did so with the intention of bending the rules and demanding a fee to enter the beach area, then they deserve everything that the law throws at them.
As you rightly say, the pool area should be for paying guests, and there, they can impose whatever restrictions and charges that they want, and which paying guests would probably expect.
N.b. I see that tomsteel has said the same thing (but in fewer words )

[jofra]

How about this - find (online) the specific statute, download and print a few copies and carry a couple with you - if/when accosted, hand one over with the appropriate gesture!

[Johnny Lee]

Of course we do not want large wealthy Hotel groups taking over beaches, but I feel in certain instances there is a case for charges. IE the place is immaculate, incredible facilities, They have invested millions. Around 4.00 pm until after midnight people are employed to clean and maintain the area.

The beach is not littered with rubbish and Efes bottles, old shoes, etc. etc. you can enter the sea knowing that you are not walking on broken glass or luncheon meat tins.

Sunbeds provided etc. If you like commercialised beaches , I don't and prefer to travel to to quiet out of the way beaches, but it is very difficult to find a clean one.

I also feel that a few certain high class hotels should be entitled their own beach, maybe allow a small allocation of total seafront to be private.

Just out of interest what would happen if you waved your piece of paper on the many private army beaches.

[erol]

Just out of interest what would happen if you waved your piece of paper on the many private army beaches.

The specific article in the constitution is as follows (source http://www.embargoed.org/downloads/TRNC ... tution.pdf)

Protection of Foreshores
Article 38
(1) The foreshores are under the exclusive control and possession of the State
and may be used only in the public interest.

(2) Outside municipal boundaries, only structures belonging to the State which
are very essential and in the public interest, may be erected within the area
of the coastal strip of one hundred metres width. Provided that such
structures shall not be of a nature spoiling the natural beauty of the shores.
Matters relating to the existing buildings and structures shall be regulated
by law.

(3) The protection of foreshores within municipal boundaries and the position
of the buildings and structures to be erected in future and of the existing
ones within the area of the coastal strip of one hundred metres width, shall
be regulated by law in accordance with the requirements of public interest
and town planning.

(4) The access by citizens into the area of the coastal strip of one hundred
metres width cannot be hindered by any one or be subjected to any
entrance fee unless restrictions have been imposed by law for the purpose
of safeguarding nationa1 security, public order, public interest, general
health and the protection of the environment
Provided that this provision shall not be interpreted as rendering
possible infringement upon property rights.

Military bases would be covered by the section I have highlighted in bold

[butterfly]

Nicones posting is spot on, they made he beach. Your day pass is for the beach are not the pool. The beach and shore is immaculate and pretty spectacular and really it is well worth the 25 TL. Snacks are reasonable and good.

The 75 TL pool charge is for that exact reason to put people off using it. It Is for Hotel guests. I do not mean any disrespect at all. But if you had paid Cratos prices to stay there ,would you want loads of visitors in the pool ?

Completely agree with this. I visited for the first time 3 weeks ago and was blown away by the cleanliness and lunch options. Just a nice bit of luxury. Well worth the 25TL.

[PoshinDevon]

Just as an aside, went to TATLISU Belediyesi beach last week. 5tl per person for sunbed, mat, shade....lovely taverna serving good food and some very nice wooden bungalows as well. Beach was clean and tidy, gently shelving into the sea. Couple of changing cubicles, very clean toilets and fresh water shower to remove excess salt and sand. Was impressed.

Whilst we would not use Cratos, if as many say its a great beach with good facilities and reasonably priced food then 25TL sounds not to bad.

Sadly many beaches that do not charge are very untidy with litter etc strewn all over the place....Alagadi comes to mind. Whilst we understand the law and free access to the beach areas, the fact is that unless there are plenty of bins, that are regularly emptied then it soon becomes full of rubbish. Dont think the mindset of dumping rubbish is going to change soon. Maybe a small charge based on the facilities available is the way forward, providing the areas are then kept clean and facilities provided are good.

[tomsteel]

Irrespective of the many varied expat views on public access to beaches/coastline is the ruling contained in the content of Article 38 posted by erol above. What other laws should commercial interests overcome to the detriment of the public? How many poor locals can afford a family trip to the beach at Cratos, even though the law gives them the right to do so? I would suggest a view beyond the wealthier expats.

[Groucho]

Irrespective of the many varied expat views on public access to beaches/coastline is the ruling contained in the content of Article 38 posted by erol above. What other laws should commercial interests overcome to the detriment of the public? How many poor locals can afford a family trip to the beach at Cratos, even though the law gives them the right to do so? I would suggest a view beyond the wealthier expats.

Absolutely. This erosion of basic rights for everybody is just the thin edge of the wedge - a 'wedge' they seem to think they can make by selling what does not belong to them.

[topten]

Oh just go to Skegness

[frontalman]

I have had a posting deleted from here with no explanation. It may be because I used the name of a certain publication which may be against the 'rules', I don't know. I'll try again.

Earlier in the year a local newspaper issued free entry vouchers to Cratos beach as a promotion. Has anyone used them, did you encounter any problems and did you enjoy the experience?

[Johnny Lee]

Free Vouchers, yes I know three people who have and still are using them on regular basis and they adore the place, they have more vouchers for August and make a point of buying food and drinks etc, whilst there. No problems whatsoever using them and made very welcome.

[jimm127]

They also had people leaving strips of tickets for the whole summer in local shops etc, although I doubt there are any left. Have used ours a few times, although it can get busy, never been hassled by staff to buy things and you get a lounger and a brolly. Great beach and nice ambiance. If you stretch yourself you can get a cabana for half price where a few of you can lounge around and they include a free fruit platter (or so I'm told).

[frontalman]

Thank you guys, I am very grateful.

[£eagle]

We cleaned our local beach and installed some bins to encourage users to keep the area clean. The bins were stolen.

[niceone]

What I was most upset about was when I asked how much entry was they said 25TL, no mention was made that it was beach only, while I appreciate some people think it's worth it, I don't ! The beach is not very big or impressive and the music was blaring. The food was just ok.
Acapulco costs the same you can use the pool, beach and slides and the food and drink is cheaper so that is where we will take visitors in the future

[kiplet]

When we last stayed at the Cratos on a short break we were also expected to pay extra to enter the live entertainment evenings area near the beach.
Not been back since, shame as we looked forward to our little breaks.

[Angiebaby]

Thought we would give it a try I had free pass lurking in my bag from hairdressers,so I took hubby, someone earlier mentioned wealthier expats ! we are far from wealthy. Had a super day there for probably the same amount of money as many people spend in there local bar in an evening. Some one described it as , blown away. Yes just outstanding, service and cleanliness. Worth every lira.

[Angiebaby]

Don't know where the Santa came from.