Belarus Bathing Season 2025: Official Beaches, Safety Guidelines & Interactive Map

In Belarus, the bathing season of 2025 officially began on May 1. Although in early May the weather has yet to bring consistent warmth, many Belarusians are already planning beach vacations, which will last until September 30. For the safety of citizens, it is important to know where swimming is permitted and which rules to follow.

418 official beaches across the country

According to OSVOD, there are 418 officially sanctioned swimming spots in Belarus. All of them are equipped with lifeguard stations and necessary amenities, making water recreation not only enjoyable but also safe. Permitted beaches are distributed by region as follows:

• Brest Region – 61 beach
• Vitebsk Region – 64 beaches
• Gomel Region – 63 beaches
• Grodno Region – 42 beaches
• Minsk Region – 108 beaches
• Mogilev Region – 58 beaches
• City of Minsk – 22 beaches

For those planning a countryside getaway and wishing to find the nearest permitted bodies of water, OSVOD recommends contacting their special Telegram chatbot – @Osvod_bot.

Map of safe swimming locations

Each year, the Ministry of Emergency Situations updates the national map of approved beaches. It is publicly available on Yandex Maps, where anyone can easily locate the nearest official swimming spots. Simply click on a map marker to get detailed information about a specific beach.

When can you start swimming?

Although the season is officially open, experts recommend waiting until the water temperature reaches at least +18 °C. According to Belhydromet, no reservoirs in the country have yet reached this mark. The warmest waters in early May are found in the Pripyat and Neman rivers, reaching up to +16 °C in places. Lifeguards strongly advise against risking one’s health and suggest waiting for sustained warmth so that swimming is both safe and comfortable.

New unique beach in a historic location

In 2025, Belarus will unveil an unusual beach overlooking a historic landmark. On the grounds of the Kossovo Palace and Park Ensemble, the development of a new recreation area is nearing completion, which will be open to all visitors. Beach improvement works include:

• Cleaning the reservoir bed (depth up to 2.5 m)
• Importing 600 cubic meters of sand
• Installing a lawn area for sunbathers
• Setting up changing rooms, shade canopies, and loungers
• Equipping a volleyball court

The beach will span 100 meters in length. This spot promises to become popular not only among locals but also among the more than 100,000 tourists who visit the palace ensemble each year.

Fines for violating water recreation rules

Even on official beaches, certain rules must be observed, failure to do so may result in administrative penalties: 1. Swimming in prohibited areas carries a fine of 1 to 3 base units (42–126 rubles). 2. Prohibited on all beaches:

• Swimming under the influence of alcohol
• Leaving children unattended
• Clinging to boats or sitting on their sides
• Jumping into the water from boats, yachts, or piers
• Swimming beyond the buoys
• Giving false distress signals

3. Additional fines on the shore:

• Making fires outside designated areas – up to 12 base units (504 rubles)
• Drinking alcoholic beverages – up to 8 base units (336 rubles)
• Minor hooliganism (including foul language) – from 2 to 30 base units (up to 1,260 rubles)

Water reservoir safety inspections

All official beaches undergo thorough inspections before the season begins. Lifeguards survey reservoir bottoms, install boundary buoys and informational stands. Additionally, epidemiologists regularly take water samples to check microbiological indicators. If permissible norms are exceeded, a beach may be temporarily closed or swimming restrictions imposed, especially for children, as the most vulnerable group.

Conclusion

Adhering to safety rules and swimming only in authorized areas is the key to an enjoyable time by the water. With the arrival of steady warmth, Belarusian beaches stand ready to welcome visitors, ensuring their comfort and safety. When planning a visit to any body of water, it is advisable to check its status and specific conditions in advance to avoid unpleasant situations and fines.```