Beach Safety

8 05, 2023

Beach Safety: Understanding the Flags on the Beach

By |2023-05-04T13:05:11+00:00May 8th, 2023|Blog|0 Comments

*Edited from* When visiting the beaches of coastal Alabama, you may see a flag flying and wonder what it could mean. Weather and wildlife conditions – locally and offshore – can cause dangerous situations at our beaches. It may be easy to recognize high surf and dangerous waves, but rip currents may not always be visible on top of the water. Conditions can change quickly, so always exercise caution, even on calm days. Let’s take a look at the flags [...]

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20 12, 2022

Grab a Kayak and Head for Adventure This Winter

By |2022-11-29T15:38:36+00:00December 20th, 2022|Blog|0 Comments

Winter doesn’t slow down the adventures along the coast of Alabama. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are filled with many opportunities for fun all year, but kayaking is one of the highlights of this season. The Back Bay Blueway consists of four unique trails. There are 21 launch sites among Fort Morgan Trail, Little Lagoon Trail, Gulf State Park Trail, and Orange Beach Trail that allow kayakers and other paddlers access to the local waterways. Kayaking during the winter can [...]

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25 10, 2022

Why is the Sand So White?

By |2022-09-22T09:39:59+00:00October 25th, 2022|Blog|0 Comments

Travelers flood Gulf Shores annually because of the beautiful beaches along the coast. The clear waters and soft, white beaches are enough to make any beachgoer feel drawn to Alabama’s shores. The sugary, white sand isn’t just a publicity hook when describing the Gulf Coast of Alabama. The beaches along the coast are as white as sugar for a reason. The sand here is made up of tiny grains of quartz crystals. These crystals have been washed down from the [...]

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25 02, 2022

Random Acts of Kindness Day Along the Beach

By |2022-09-22T09:47:48+00:00February 25th, 2022|Blog|0 Comments

Random Acts of Kindness Day is February 17. Have you considered spending that day along Alabama’s Gulf Coast? Random Acts of Kindness Day is intended to celebrate and encourage random acts of kindness. We want to inspire you to use this day to be kind to the beach, to do something to help, and be kind to the environment. So go to the beach or take a friend (or several) with you. Stroll along Alabama’s Gulf Coast and look around [...]

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13 10, 2021

Check the flags when you head to the beach 

By |2021-10-14T15:46:24+00:00October 13th, 2021|Blog|0 Comments

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 [...]

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28 09, 2021

Five tips for fall fun at the beach

By |2021-09-28T15:15:41+00:00September 28th, 2021|Blog|0 Comments

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 [...]

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6 07, 2021

Protect yourself and the environment at the beach

By |2021-07-13T15:06:55+00:00July 6th, 2021|Blog|0 Comments

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 [...]

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10 06, 2021

Celebrate the holiday, but not with personal fireworks on the beach

By |2021-06-14T13:02:15+00:00June 10th, 2021|Blog|0 Comments

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 [...]

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6 05, 2021

Heed the warning – beach flags are there for a purpose

By |2021-04-29T18:05:18+00:00May 6th, 2021|Blog|0 Comments

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 [...]

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18 03, 2021

Check surf conditions before hitting the beach

By |2021-03-24T17:19:21+00:00March 18th, 2021|Blog|0 Comments

“Break the Grip of the Rip” is a popular graphic in coastal areas. Do you know how to spot the current and how to escape? Rip currents are narrow, strong currents that flow away from the beach and account for more than 30,000 rescues a year nationwide. These dangerous currents can be found anywhere there are breaking waves and even around piers and jetties. With spring break and summer just around the corner, we want you to know how to [...]

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