It’s the height of sea turtle nesting season here on the northern Gulf Coast. As vacationers flock to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach each summer, thousands of endangered sea turtles are hatching on those same beaches. Did you know that what you do on the beach each day can make a difference to the nesting turtles and the babies? Below are a few guidelines to help these amazing creatures survive. If you dig a hole, fill it in before you leave. Digging large [...]
Summer days at the beach are so much fun! The kids are building sandcastles and everyone is playing in the surf. A cooler with juice boxes, cans of soft drinks and bottled water is by your chairs. Life just doesn’t get better than this. But did you bring sun protection? With the breeze coming off the Gulf of Mexico, you may not realize how intense the Alabama Gulf Coast sun can be. Make sure you have access to shade. Beach umbrellas are easy to carry and store, and can be shifted [...]
Ahhh . . . There isn’t anything like that feeling when your bare feet first touch the soft, sugar-white sand on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. As you walk, you may notice a squeaking noise coming from under your feet. There is a reason our sand is so white and soft, and so apt to make a squeaking or whistling noise as you walk. The sand on the beaches of the northern Gulf of Mexico is made of tiny grains of quartz crystals that have washed down from the Appalachian Mountains over thousands of years. [...]
It’s summertime on the coast and fun times are being had. With all the activities and commotion, it’s easy to forget the importance of the Leave Only Footprints program and the do’s and don’ts required by the cities of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. The Leave Only Footprints program was created to ensure our beautiful beaches are here for future generations to enjoy. Our 32-mile stretch of sugar-white sand draws millions of visitors each year. With that many people, it’s important to follow the rules and regulations to [...]
It will soon be birthday celebration time for America. As you make your early-July beach vacation plans, keep in mind the Leave Only Footprints program and the beach rules for the cities of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. Everyone loves fireworks for Independence Day and you’ll be able to see some beautiful examples along the coast. But let the professionals entertain you and leave your personal fireworks at home. Keep an eye on the events page for updates on where you’ll find family-friendly [...]
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are favorite family vacation destinations, and our sugar-white sands draw more than 5 million visitors from across the nation each year. Sure, relaxing days on the beach can’t be beat. But the beach isn’t the only way to enjoy the great outdoors in our coastal communities. Try a few of the following suggestions for escaping the indoors. Gulf State Park and the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, combined, have 28 miles of paved hiking and biking trails. Refer to the map and list of trails to explore it all. [...]
Are you a bird watcher? On your next trip to the beach, plan a day to see the sights and birds along the way. You don’t have to be a birding expert to enjoy time exploring the six loops of the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail in Baldwin and Mobile counties. Using Gulf Shores and Orange Beach as the home base, you already have the advantage of watching the shore birds as they run back and forth with the waves. The [...]
Summer is coming at us full speed and the first big summer holiday is just around the corner. For those planning a Memorial Day weekend trip to the beach, check out our beach tips to make your stay even more pleasant. The Leave Only Footprints program requires removing all of your beach gear, toys, chairs, umbrellas and tents each night. With this in mind, consider bringing a wagon with large wheels to carry your gear. It will make the trek [...]
Sometimes we just walk by and don’t even notice them. They are yellow or red, with a purple thrown in every now and then. Do you know what the flags flying at the beaches in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach mean? Yellow flags indicate a moderate hazard of currents and surf. Red flags are a sign of strong currents and high surf. Think of red as a sign of danger and exercise extreme caution in the water. If you are [...]
It’s here! The most anticipated season of the year is the time between May 1 and August 31. We’re not just talking about summer, though. It’s also sea turtle nesting season! During this time, endangered sea turtles come on shore to lay their eggs all along the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. It’s something we always get excited about and our summer visitors do, too. When the female turtle comes on shore to lay eggs, it’s important for her [...]
