When visiting the coast, you can’t help but notice the beautiful sand dunes along the beach. These dunes are important for the ecosystem, environment and cities. The natural growth of sea grasses, sea oats and shrubs helps hold them together by creating a root system that keeps the sand in place. Acting as a wall, sand dunes help protect beaches and property from damage from high winds, storm surges, waves and tides. The dunes are the first line of defense [...]
You don’t have to be an expert birder to enjoy bird watching at the beach. Alabama’s coast is the last stop for many fall migrating birds heading south over the Gulf of Mexico. A few species arrive in the fall and stay for the winter. If you are here during the fall months, be on the lookout for migrating raptors. Cooper’s hawks arrive on the coast in October in large numbers. You can also see sharp-shinned hawks and northern harriers during [...]
With summer in our rear-view mirror, it’s easy to get a little too relaxed when we had to the beach for fun in the surf. It’s the season for tropical disturbances to meander around in the Gulf. They may be far away and pose no threat to Alabama’s beautiful coast, but they can cause significant rip currents on our coast that sometimes aren’t visible. The best way to make sure the water is safe is to observe the beach warning [...]
We love our seafood here on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Most area restaurant menus are filled with tempting seafood choices straight from the Gulf of Mexico. Celebrate National Seafood Month this month with locally sourced fresh fish, crustaceans and bivalves. If you are looking for ideas, we have a few ways you can enjoy the bounty. Catch your own. Cast a line from the Gulf State Park Fishing Pier, surf fish from the beach or charter a boat for a [...]
Have you visited Gulf Shores and Orange Beach during the fall? It’s the favorite time of year for some of our visitors and locals. The summer crowds have gone, the daytime temperatures are still nice and warm, the evenings are a little cooler and the sun is beautifully bright. We have a few tips that can make your autumn visit to the coast enjoyable while keeping our beaches pristine to boot. The air may feel cooler, but the sun is still intense. A large umbrella provides shade and is easier to handle than [...]
It’s still sea turtle nesting season along the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast. Those amazing sea turtle patrol volunteers have had a busy summer. Daily patrols ended August 31, but the season continues through October 31. Since sea turtle eggs have an incubation period of 55 to 70 days, it’s likely there are a few stragglers that haven’t hatched yet. Please continue to practice the following guidelines until nesting season is over. No white lights or flash photography on the beach. It [...]
After a busy summer season, life at the beach slows down a bit. Even though the calendar changes to fall, summer-like weather is still around for a month or so. We think it’s a great time to be here and enjoy all the pleasures of coastal living. There’s plenty to do, delicious food to eat and exciting adventures to be had during every season. But let’s look at just a few of the autumn possibilities to get you started. Go fishing. Whether you enjoy casting your line from the shore or taking a [...]
A quick family getaway to the beach is a good way to conquer back-to-school blues. It’s also a great time to teach the kids the importance of taking care of the environment. The Leave Only Footprints program is based on Leave No Trace principles. For a kid-friendly version, our Leave No Trace Principles for Kids helps children learn to be good stewards of our beaches and coastal lands. Know Before You Go - Have a family discussion about everyone doing their part to keep the [...]
Every third Saturday of September, residents and visitors alike gather at the beaches, bays and waterways for the annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup. These hordes of volunteers hit the sand and shores at 8 a.m. and work until noon to get the trash out of the splash. Alabama joined the International Coastal Cleanup in 1987 and since then, more than 100,000 volunteers have taken part in the local event. In the first 28 years, 15 million pounds of trash was collected [...]
The Alabama Gulf Coast welcomes more than 5 million visitors each year. That’s a lot of wear and tear on our beaches and waterways. Keeping them clean and beautiful for future generations is where the Leave Only Footprints program comes in. We can’t do it alone. We depend on our visitors to pitch in and do their part for the next family arriving. It’s easy to do. When you come to enjoy the 32 miles of white-sand beaches, hiking and biking trails, and back bays [...]
