Authorities have finally been mobilized — albeit late — following protothema.gr‘s revelation of a “flood” of cars, motorbikes, and bicycles on Hydra, despite laws declaring the island off-limits to all motorized vehicles.

As the Coast Guard announced, on Saturday night a 62-year-old man was found using a small truck in Hydra’s Port Land Zone without the required disembarkation and circulation permit from the Ephorate of Antiquities of Piraeus and Islands under the Ministry of Culture.

The same announcement noted that the vehicle was confiscated by the Hydra Port Authority until the necessary permits are issued.

Official Coast Guard Statement on the Arrest in Hydra:

On the evening of May 17, 2025, the Port Authority of Hydra arrested a 62-year-old Greek man for violating Law 4858/2021 (Ratification of the Code on the Protection of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage), in combination with NSC Opinion No. 648/2002.
After inspection and identity verification, it was determined that the man was operating a small truck in the Port Land Zone of Hydra without the necessary permits issued by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Piraeus and Islands. The Hydra Port Authority, which is conducting the investigation, confiscated the vehicle until the required documentation is provided.

protothema.gr’s Report:

Hydra is marketed by its municipality as “a paradise for walkers and nature lovers,” boasting its unique character where all wheeled vehicles are banned by law. However, laws exist only to be broken — especially when there is no one responsible or willing to enforce them.

As a result, this otherwise beautiful island — rich in archaeological and natural heritage and with unique architecture — has become crowded with cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and of course, scooters, which have apparently become trendier than walking.

In the wake of protothema.gr’s recent report and ahead of a related meeting at the Ministry of Culture, Hydra’s Mayor, Giorgos Koukoudakis, clarified that the municipality has no authority to issue fines for violations concerning cultural heritage. He also stated that the island is currently undergoing “a series of major public infrastructure projects,” which require the use of vehicles — although their presence will be “drastically reduced after the end of May.”

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