Beaches closed in 6 Turkish provinces due to rip currents, strong winds

Authorities in Türkiye have temporarily banned swimming at beaches in six provinces due to dangerous sea conditions caused by strong winds, high waves, and rip currents.

In Istanbul, the bans mainly affect Black Sea shores.

• Swimming is prohibited in Beykoz and at Sariyer’s Kisirkaya Beach until August 10.
• In Catalca and Eyupsultan, restrictions remain until August 9.
• In Arnavutkoy, the ban applied only on August 7.

Which beaches are banned across Türkiye?

• In Kocaeli’s Kandira district, all beaches have been closed since August 6 and will remain shut through August 8.
• Kirklareli’s Vize district, which borders the Black Sea, has enforced a ban from August 6 to 9 on all beaches.
• Tekirdag’s Marmaraereglisi, Sarkoy, and Suleymanpasa districts introduced a two-day ban on August 7 due to strong northeasterly winds.
• Sakarya’s Karasu, Kocaali, and Kaynarca districts announced restrictions on August 8 after dangerous waves and rip currents were reported.
• In Duzce, swimming is currently banned along the entire Akcakoca coastline for the same reasons. Lifeguards have raised red flags to warn beachgoers against entering the sea.

According to Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), rip currents are strong flows moving from shallow water toward deeper areas, often forming in coastal zones with sandbars and channels.

These currents can occur when waves break over sandbanks and return to sea through deeper channels. AFAD warns they can be strong enough to overpower even professional swimmers.

August 08, 2025 05:45 PM GMT+03:00