9 Top-Rated Beaches in Alabama
- Gulf Shores Main Public Beach. Gulf Shores Main Public Beach | Photo Copyright: Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism.
- Alabama Point Beach.
- Fort Morgan Public Beach.
- West Beach.
- Fairhope Beach.
- Romar Beach.
- Cotton Bayou Beach.
- Dauphin Island.
CLEAR, BLUE, WARM WATERSThe Gulf waters of Alabama are warmer than the beaches on the Atlantic coast. The waves tend to be more gentle, rarely rising or falling more than a foot or so.
The main difference between Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, AL that I found was that Orange Beach feels a little quieter and less hectic (or put another way, Gulf Shores feels like it has a little more going on).
Orange Beach is located in lower Alabama southeast of Mobile and is mostly frequented by residents from that state. The shoreline at Orange Beach is indeed whiter than those on the Atlantic coast, and the water does have a slight greenish hue.
The best times to visit Gulf Shores are March through May and September through November. Travelers can take advantage of these sweet spots outside the busy (and more expensive) summertime and enjoy swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, which still offers pleasant temperatures in the late spring and early fall.
Alabama's shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico stretches for 60 miles. The tidal shoreline that borders all of the coastal bays, rivers, and bayous in Mobile and Baldwin counties extends another 600 miles, with the shoreline around Mobile Bay accounting for about 100 of those miles.
Dauphin Island is located three miles south of Mobile Bay, with clear blue water and powdery white sand galore. It's connected to mainland Alabama by bridge, and there are also ferry rides to take you to and from the island.
Not long ago it was a rarity to see American alligators lurking beneath the waters along the Gulf Coast, but now this once-endangered species has made a triumphant return with a booming population. There's a pretty good bet you will see one, or two, or more in the waters around Mobile.
OCEARCH has recently pinged 2 great white sharks and 1 tiger shark just south of Gulf Shores. They aren't dangerously close based on their ping locations, but the three of them are only 20-40 miles off the coast of Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fort Morgan, and Dauphin Island!
Here's an interesting website showing data regarding shark attacks in Alabama. According to this site, there has never been a shark attack in Orange Beach. There have been 7 non-fatal attacks in Gulf Shores, 2 non-fatal attacks in Dauphin Island and 2 fatal attacks in Mobile Bay.
— The Alabama Department of Health says that red tide has been found in water samples taken near Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. WKRG-TV reports the department says water samples taken from Alabama Point to Little Lagoon Pass showed the presence of red tide cells in the “low to medium range.”
Presence of microscopic plankton along the Emerald CoastIn the coastal waters of Northwest Florida, there is a healthy supply of microscopic plankton. The plankton produce chlorophyll, which gives off the beautiful greenish color when the sun's light hits the water and underlying white quartz sand.
Gulf Shores is very family oriented. Destin is a bit flashier, more upper class, a little more expensive, and as previously mentioned, more traffic and further from the river so clearer water often. Both have plenty of options for condos and houses right on the water.
The beach in Gulf Shores is whiter than those on the Atlantic Ocean, and the water has a slightly greenish hue. Deep-sea fishing is available by driving a few miles east to a small marina in Orange Beach where there is a pass out into the gulf.
Swimming & Water SafetyGenerally, the ocean around Dauphin Island is quite safe: the waters are calm and the beach tapers off slowly, so swimming in the shallows is a great activity for the kids. The sand is clean and powdery, and the water warm and calm.
These passes are available for pick up or purchase at City Hall during regular business hours, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Curfew has been extended until 8 a.m. Thursday for Orange Beach. Following that, the curfew will be in place from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily until power is restored.
Kay Ivey ends statewide mask mandate with 'Safer Apart' order. Alabama will no longer require masks after April 9, but a new “Safer Apart” order in effect until 5 p.m. May 5 urges the public to continue wearing masks and social distancing in public due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Gov.
The beaches of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach are OPEN and ready to welcome you for a fall beach getaway. From Gulf Shores and Orange Beach hotels and condos to private beach homes and campgrounds, you'll easily be able to find lodging options that fit your family's needs while also staying safe and healthy.
The City of Gulf Shores, in conjunction with the City of Orange Beach, will enforce a mandatory curfew beginning at 8 p.m. Saturday through 6 a.m. Sunday.
"In Alabama, coastal property owners own land to the mean high tide line. The intertidal land is owned by the state in trust for the public under the public trust doctrine. The right to own property and exclude others from it is a fundamental feature of U.S. law.
Private Paradise. One of the best features of Kiva Dunes Resort is perhaps its most natural – the sugar-white beaches that make up its 3,000 ft of private beachfront.
GULF SHORES, Ala. 16 banning any kind of tobacco use on beaches or boardwalks, with offenders fined up to $1,000. In Florida, lawmakers are considering legislation that would implement a wide-ranging ban on smoking at any public beach, empowering law enforcers to cite offenders.
ALABAMA -- A referendum signed on Thursday by the U.S. Justice Department will allow the sale of beer and wine on Sundays throughout most of Alabama's Baldwin County, according to the Mobile (Ala.) Register.
Prohibited ItemsPets are welcome at Gulf Place, but they may not travel on the sand beaches. No glass or breakable containers. No alcoholic beverages.
Top 7 Gulf Shores, Alabama Beaches
- #1: Orange Beach.
- #2: Gulf Shores Public Beach.
- #3: West Beach.
- #4: Gulf State Park.
- #5: Fort Morgan & Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge.
- #6: Dauphin Island.
- #7: Fairhope.
The State Park Beach In Alabama Where The Water Is A Mesmerizing Blue. When it comes to beaches, the ones on Alabama's Gulf Coast can't be beat! One of the best places to experience Alabama's beautiful white-sand beaches is Gulf State Park.
There is more to do in Orange Beach than Pensacola Beach and you won't have to drive as far to find other things to do. The restaurants in Orange Beach are by far nicer and more plentiful.
Low-key Dauphin Island is just 40 miles from the city of Mobile, Alabama. The barrier island sits at the mouth of Mobile Bay in the Gulf of Mexico and has largely avoided development.
The Gulf Coast boasts most of the true white sand beaches in the United States, from Gulf Shores to the Gulf Coast of Florida. Build a glistening white sand castle and take in the turquoise waves when you stay at one of our Gulf Shores condos or Orange Beach rentals!
