Tunisia's Coastal Plastic Crisis Dismays British Holidaymakers
A Mediterranean coastline favoured by British package holiday tourists is becoming increasingly marred by plastic pollution, forcing visitors to navigate through discarded bottles and carrier bags to enjoy the sands. A British tourist staying near the North Tunisian coastal resort of Hammamet, located on the southern edge of the Cap Bon peninsula, shared alarming photographs with the Daily Mail following a visit last week.
Shocking Images Reveal Widespread Litter
The images, captured at Yasmine Hammamet beach, depict hundreds of pieces of plastic waste scattered across the golden sands that typically attract thousands of tourists annually. In promotional materials, these beaches appear pristine, but the reality is starkly different. One photo shows a vast expanse of fine sand dotted with empty large plastic drinks bottles at intervals of about half a metre. Other pictures reveal seaweed washed ashore, entangled with single-use plastics, including discarded carrier bags.
The tourist, who wishes to remain anonymous, expressed dismay at seeing the spectacular natural coastline tarnished by piles of litter. He noted that while much of the plastic had been washed up by the tide, a significant amount seemed to have been carelessly dropped on the beach by visitors. The beach is semi-private, shared among several hotels in the Yasmine Hammamet area.
"The rubbish was there all the time, embedded into the sand, even when the tide was out," he told the Daily Mail. "As it was off season, the beach was quiet... but it wouldn't be pleasant to sit amongst that much litter." He added that beaches closer to the fort town of Hammamet were notably cleaner, offering a more pleasant experience for tourists.Tunisia's Tourism Boom Contrasts with Environmental Woes
Thanks to its short flight time, year-round warm weather, and affordable prices—such as all-inclusive five-star hotels costing around £50 per person per night in low season—Tunisia has become an increasingly popular winter sun destination for Britons. The Tunisian National Tourist Office recently announced a "historic milestone," with UK visitor numbers breaking the 2014 record. Last year, 450,000 UK tourists visited, up from 425,000 in 2014, marking a 37% increase compared to 2024 figures.
However, many tourists planning trips to Tunisia's Mediterranean coast in the coming weeks may be horrified by the litter-laden beaches. The resort of Yasmine Hammamet is one of Tunisia's key sunshine destinations, renowned for its 15th-century medina and thermal springs, but the plastic waste threatens to undermine its appeal.
Broader Implications for Marine Life and Tourism
While such extensive coastal litter might be less visible on UK beaches, plastic waste remains a significant problem globally. This week, it was reported that over 40 marine animals had to be rescued in 2025 from waters along the Yorkshire coastline after becoming entangled in plastic objects. Chris Cook of British Divers Marine Life Rescue urged beachgoers to take responsibility, stating, "If you take it to the beach, make sure it goes home with you. If you see something on the beach, pick it up and put it in the bin. It's just taking that bit of responsibility."
The tourist who shared the Tunisia photos emphasised the sadness of seeing natural beauty spoiled, highlighting that the issue is not isolated but part of a wider environmental challenge affecting popular holiday spots worldwide.
