Mark your calendar because Mother’s Day is May 14, 2023. Put the candle back on the shelf and give this special lady what she really wants this year: a beach vacation with endless opportunities for relaxation. There is nothing like the pristine, soft beaches of Coastal Alabama. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach provides the perfect spot to pull up a beach chair and feel the sand beneath your feet while you leave your stress behind. Give your mom a break [...]
With the 2023 spring break in full swing, plenty of excitement is buzzing in Southern Alabama. Many travelers will be flocking toward the beaches because of all the fun to be had along our coast. A few of the top events to check out this month are listed below. Make time to head to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach for spring break! Waterway Village Zydeco & Crawfish Festival & 5K Run April 21-22 A ticketed concert event fills your Friday [...]
Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22 each year. Recognized around the world, this day honors the environmental diversity of our planet while also sharing ways of protecting it. Leave Only Footprints is a movement dedicated to keeping our beaches clean and protecting the vulnerable wildlife, so we want to mark Earth Day by sharing reasons to help the coastline this April. Reduce Your Usage of Chemicals Everything that dumps down your drain can make it to [...]
With spring break on the horizon, now is a perfect time to brush up on some important rip current knowledge. Rip currents are narrow, strong currents that flow away from the beach and account for more than 80% of rescues by beach lifeguards. Rip currents tend to be darker with waves breaking on either side and flowing out in the middle, but they can be hard to see. Don’t be fooled by great beach weather - rip currents can be [...]
In recent years, a brown seaweed has been commonly seen along the beaches of coastal Alabama. This specific seaweed is called sargassum. Sargassum is known to have a distinct smell if it starts to rot, due to the release of hydrogen sulfide. However, there is no need to avoid the beach - it is harmless to humans. In 2019, there was a bloom of sargassum in the Gulf of Mexico. Scientists believe the main cause behind the growth is deforestation [...]
Spring break begins a season of warm sunshine and beach days. We are all ready for some fun in the sun along Coastal Alabama! Following the Leave Only Footprints program is the way to make sure everyone can enjoy the white-sand beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Not familiar with the guidelines? Below are a few tips to keep in mind during your spring break vacation. Bring drinks in a reusable cup to reduce plastic waste. Stash an extra [...]
Mark your calendars because Orange Beach Festival of Art is almost here. March 11-12, 2023, will be a day filled with a tremendous amount of fun in southern Alabama! Located at Orange Beach Waterfront Park, more than 100 vendors will be eagerly sharing their talents. The festival celebrates all forms of art including visual, performing and culinary, which means all visitors can look forward to discovering something new. The whole family will want to visit the kid’s art alley, and [...]
Alabama is one of the most biologically diverse states in the U.S. Protecting the diverse habitats is essential when it comes to visiting the Gulf Coast. The Leave Only Footprints initiative is not only about keeping the beaches clean, but also safeguarding the ecosystems and protecting wildlife and their habitats. Allow us to share a few tips to keep in mind when visiting the beaches this year: Observe wildlife from a distance. A damaged habitat could become unusable and the [...]
Taking steps to become more eco-friendly is a great goal. Practice going green at home, and don’t forget to stretch that small effort to cover your workplace as well. Being environmentally friendly at work not only promotes a clean environment, but also saves costs and boosts a company’s reputation. It doesn’t have to be difficult to swap out your routines for more sustainable options: Reduce paper waste by emailing reports or other information that may not require a hard copy. [...]
Random Acts of Kindness Day is February 17, serving as a great reminder to go the extra mile to spread kindness and joy. You don’t have to pay for the person behind you in line at the coffee shop to display thoughtfulness. Although that is certainly a considerate gesture, there are other ways to acknowledge the day, regardless of the actual date. How about sharing some joy during your trips to the beautiful Alabama coast? Keep reading to learn just [...]
