Cala Coticcio is a beach from which you must not steal sand, or you will be heavily fined

(Patria) - The Maddalena archipelago off the coast of Sardinia in Italy is home to numerous beautiful beaches.

Cala Coticcio on the northeastern coast of the island of Caprera in the Tyrrhenian Sea is one such magical gem.

This small but stunning beach with fine white sand is an integral part of the La Maddalena National Park and is a perfect spot for swimming and snorkeling during the summer months.

It is surrounded by beautiful turquoise sea, cliffs and Mediterranean vegetation, and is hidden from prying eyes.

Due to its magical appearance, many compare it to the beaches of paradise-like Tahiti in French Polynesia.

Interestingly, last year authorities limited the number of people allowed to visit the beach daily to 60, and one must reserve their spot in advance with a local guide.

Individuals caught visiting the beach without a guide can be fined.

Fines are also issued for taking sand from the beach, so if you want to avoid paying the 3-euro excursion fee and fail to follow the rules, this swim could cost you between 500 and 3,500 euros.

All these rules and fines were introduced by Italians to prevent the devastation of the natural beauty of Sardinia and the surrounding islands during the peak tourist season.