By Solomon Wiesen, TLV Beaches. Last reviewed October 2026.
Is There Ocean Tar on Tel Aviv Beaches? How to Avoid It and Clean It From Your Clothes
Tel Aviv is known for its beautiful beaches, but from time to time ocean tar shows up on them. This natural or man-made residue occasionally washes up on the shore. It is not a serious threat, but it is a nuisance.
Today we will talk about what ocean tar is, how to avoid it on Tel Aviv beaches, and the best ways to clean it off your clothes if you encounter it.
At a glance
- Is there tar on Tel Aviv beaches? Sometimes, in small sticky lumps, mostly after storms
- The big event: the February 2021 oil spill, which put tar on about 160 km of Israel’s coast
- Off your skin: baby oil or cooking oil, then soap and water; never gasoline or solvents
- Off clothes and shoes: scrape, loosen with oil or WD-40, blot, then stain remover and a warm wash
- How to avoid it: wear flip-flops on the sand and look before you put your towel down
- Baby or cooking oilThen soap and water
- Scrape, then oil or WD-40Blot, don't rub; stain remover; warm wash
- Gasoline or solventsOn skin
- The dryerUntil the stain is gone
Source: Wikipedia and the Times of Israel, checked October 2026.
So, What Exactly Is Ocean Tar?
Ocean tar, also known as tar balls, is a sticky, black or brownish FILTHY substance that sometimes washes up on beaches. It can come from natural sources such as oil seeps under the sea, but it’s often a result of oil spills or leaks from ships. Over time, the oil forms thick patches that float in the water and can break down into smaller, sticky pieces.
These tar balls can wash up on the shore, sticking to sand, rocks, and unfortunately, your feet or clothes! Ocean tar does NOT care that your shoes are brand new, unfortunately.
Do Tel Aviv Beaches Have Ocean Tar?
While Tel Aviv’s beaches are generally well-maintained, ocean tar can occasionally be found, particularly after storms or changes in sea currents. In recent years, there have been occasional reports of tar washing up on beaches along the Israeli coast, including Tel Aviv. These occurrences are usually related to oil spills or environmental incidents in the Mediterranean. The big one was in February 2021: tar started washing ashore on 16 and 17 February and hit about 160 km of coast, from Rosh HaNikra to Ashkelon. The public was told to stay off the beaches, about 1,000 tons of tar were estimated, and the emergency was declared over on 17 March 2021, when most beaches had reopened. Efforts have been made to clean up ocean tar from Tel Aviv beaches.
How to Avoid Ocean Tar on Tel Aviv Beaches
Although it’s not always possible to predict when ocean tar will appear, there are some simple steps you can take to minimize your chances of encountering it:
- Check for Beach Warnings: Before heading to the beach, check local news or municipality updates for any reports of tar or other hazards on the shoreline. Lifeguard stations often post warnings if tar has been spotted.
- Look for Signs of Tar: When you arrive at the beach, inspect the sand and water’s edge for any signs of black or sticky patches. If you notice tar, choose a different part of the beach or visit a nearby location.
- Wear Beach Shoes: To avoid stepping on tar, wear flip-flops or water shoes while walking along the shore. This will protect your feet and make it easier to spot any tar before it sticks to your skin.
- Stick to Well-Maintained Areas: Popular and well-maintained beaches in Tel Aviv, such as Gordon Beach or Banana Beach, are regularly cleaned. Staying in these areas reduces the likelihood of encountering ocean tar.
How to Clean Ocean Tar From Clothes
If you do happen to get ocean tar on your clothes, don’t panic. While it can be tricky to remove, following these steps will help you get your clothing back to normal:
- Scrape Off Excess Tar: First, use a blunt object like a spoon or a plastic card to gently scrape off as much tar as possible from the fabric. Be careful not to spread it further.
- Use an Oil-Based Cleaner: Ocean tar is oil-based, so an oil-based cleaner is your best option for breaking it down. Products like baby oil, olive oil, or petroleum jelly can work wonders. Apply the oil to the tar-stained area and gently rub it with a soft cloth or paper towel.
- WD-40 is a fantastic cleaning agent for ocean tar – it’ll get that filthy gunk right off your beautiful brand new 2 week old fresh white Adidas shoes!
If you ever get tar on your feet at the beach
byu/katygato inlifehacks
- Blot, Don’t Rub: Blot the stain gently rather than rubbing it, as rubbing may push the tar deeper into the fabric. Repeat this step until the tar begins to dissolve.
- Apply Stain Remover and Wash: After you’ve removed the majority of the tar, treat the stain with a regular laundry stain remover. Follow up by washing the item in warm water with your usual detergent.
- Check Before Drying: Before putting your clothes in the dryer, make sure the stain is completely gone. Heat can set any remaining tar, making it harder to remove.
- Scrape off the excess.
- Work in oil or WD-40.
- Blot, do not rub.
- Apply stain remover.
- Wash warm.
- Check the stain before the dryer.
Source: Wikipedia and the Times of Israel, checked October 2026.
How to Clean Ocean Tar From Your Skin
If you get ocean tar on your skin, the cleaning process is similar to removing it from clothes. Use baby oil or another oil-based cleaner to dissolve the tar, and then wash the area with soap and water. Never use gasoline, kerosene or other solvents on your skin. It may take a few rounds of cleaning to completely remove the sticky residue.
Sources: Wikipedia on the 2021 Mediterranean oil spill, the Times of Israel on the end of the emergency and the reports linked in the text. Checked October 2026.