They are much more active in the summer. It is rare , but they will attack a dog or small child if playing by the lake shore. You most likely will not see a gator anytime, the state park is a very safe clean park.
“Most sharks in Alabama waters are small and non-threatening to humans. Unprovoked shark attacks are very rare in Alabama, but in the past 20 years, we've seen an increase in attacks because more humans are going to the coast and we have more sharks now.”
Shark attacks at Orange Beach are quite rare. The last bite was reported in 2014, when Laura Harylkoff was bitten while wading. The 50-year-old had lacerations to her foot an ankle. A great white shark was filmed about 25 miles off the beach by divers May 23, 2020.
Gulf Shores, Alabama is famous for its pristine white beaches, but hiking trails give landlubbers plenty of flora and fauna to find in the area. The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail in Gulf State Park covers more than 28 miles that take you through nine different ecosystems.
With a crime rate of 40 per one thousand residents, Gulf Shores has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 25.
Gulf Shores is a beautiful coastal city and is considered by many as an ideal place to retire because of its compactness and cleanliness. The city thrives on a real estate and tourism based economy and is home to some of the best beachfront condos, hotels, vacation homes and apartments.
Common Shark Species Occurring in Alabama's Coastal WatersIdentification and Information Guide
- Atlantic Sharpnose Shark.
- Blacktip Shark.
- Bull Shark.
- Finetooth Shark.
- Sand Tiger.
- Scalloped Hammerhead.
- Spinner Shark.
- Tiger Shark.
Top Attractions in Gulf Shores
- Gulf State Park. 1,350 reviews.
- Gulf State Park Fishing Pier. 1,082 reviews.
- Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. 1,579 reviews.
- Gulf Shores Public Beach. 427 reviews.
- Gulf Shores Welcome Center. 459 reviews.
- Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. 268 reviews.
- Big Beach Brewing Company.
- Fort Morgan Road Trail.
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.
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.
Orange Beach, Alabama, is on the Gulf of Mexico, offering white sand beaches perfect for local festivals, boating, fishing, water sports, swimming and the relaxing pace of this southern vacation destination. A city-owned aquatic center offers a good choice for pool swimming.
Clear, blue, warm watersThe warm blue Gulf waters of Florida are the exact same waters that wash against the Alabama shore.
The shoreline at Orange Beach is indeed whiter than those on the Atlantic coast, and the water does have a slight greenish hue. The gulf waters in Destin are usually as clear as a swimming pool because it is far away from flowing tributaries.
Flying into Gulf ShoresThe closest airport to Gulf Shores is Jack Edwards Airport, located just 2.5 miles from the city.
Swimming & KayakingIf you're spending a whole day at Little Lagoon in Gulf Shores, you might want to cool off with a dip in the water. The shallow lagoon has a soft, sandy floor, easy to walk on and perfect for swimming. With no undertow, you won't have to worry about being swept 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.
As for the differences between Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, there isn't much. They sort of run together. Overall the water is a bit nicer the futher east you go, so the ocean is a bit clearer and more blue/green towards Orange Beach. Not quite Destin nice, but almost.
Before you plan your sand-and-sea vacation, check out our list of the best beaches in Alabama.
- Gulf Shores Main Public Beach.
- Alabama Point Beach.
- Fort Morgan Public Beach.
- West Beach.
- Fairhope Beach.
- Romar Beach.
- Cotton Bayou Beach.
- Dauphin Island.
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.
With that being said, there's a particular swimming hole here in Alabama that's considered to be one of the clearest and bluest bodies of water in the state. This popular swimming hole, which is named “Blue Hole,” is located within the Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, in Pinson, Alabama—just 15 miles from Birmingham.
My personal favorite is Gulf Shores, just because it's less crowded and there isn't a toll. The beaches are clean and the atmosphere is inviting and relaxing. During the Summer months, Pensacola Beach traffic gets to be a little much especially during the weekends and Tuesday's (bands on the beach).
*IT RAINS JUST ABOUT EVERY DAY IN SUMMER: The combination of a moist airmass and the intense daytime heating process usually leads to “scattered, afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms”.
12 Top Gulf Coast Beaches to Visit
- Marco Island, Florida.
- Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama.
- Fort Myers Beach, Florida.
- St.
- Ocean Springs, Mississippi.
- Destin, Florida.
- Grand Isle, Louisiana.
- Navarre, Florida. Largely free of tourists, Navarre is situated on the Florida Panhandle and stretches 12 miles long.
Prohibited ItemsNo glass or breakable containers. No alcoholic beverages. No tents / canopies larger than 7'x7'x4' unless they are placed in a designated tent area. No fishing at Gulf Place.
The best place for crystal clear water on the Gulf Coast of Florida is from Tampa Bay to Captiva and includes the following beaches:
- Fort DeSoto.
- Egmont Key.
- Anna Maria Island.
- Longboat Key.
- Lido Key.
- Siesta Key.
- Manasota Key.
- Englewood.
