In just 10 or 15 minutes, you can go online and book an amazing spring visit to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Whether it’s a long weekend or a full week, you and your family get to enjoy all the sun, sand and surf our area provides. It takes about that same amount of time to pack up your chairs, cooler, beach toys and umbrella after your day on the sand. And it’s important you do that. If you’ve visited [...]
It’s spring on the Alabama coast and that means folks will be getting out the boats and hitting the waterways. It’s also a good time for boating safety reminders before launching into the season. First, check local weather forecasts for conditions before you take off. Storms come up fast on the Gulf Coast, so boaters should stay aware. If you notice darkening clouds, rough winds or sudden drops in temperature, play it safe by getting off the water. Second, use [...]
Are you a beachcomber who delights in finding a perfectly shaped seashell while walking the shoreline? Do you know the names of any of those awesome finds? We can help with that! One type of shell you’ll often see on Alabama beaches is a bittersweet, with an easily identified fan shape, ridges and scalloped center. These shells have teeth-like indentions along the inside of the pointed end and are usually white with brown or reddish colored lines. Coquina shells are [...]
When you visit our beaches, it’s important to know the rules and restrictions. Leave Only Footprints regulations prohibit leaving any items overnight on public beaches in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. In addition, several items are prohibited anytime on the beach, including: Glass containers Metal shovels or excessive digging Litter Tents or structures larger than 12 x 12 Overnight camping Fireworks Loud music Fires Pets Vehicles The reason for many of these restrictions concerns safety, others are for the comfort [...]
Want to build a sandcastle while visiting Gulf Shores and Orange Beach? We’re all for it. In case you need some tips, we got some from experts. First, find the perfect spot. It should be close to the water to get that firm, wet sand, but not so close your creation will get washed away. Experienced sandcastle builders know the sand must be wet to make a good form. Second, put those sand buckets and shovels to good use. Fill [...]
It’s Carnival season on the Alabama coast, bringing a partying atmosphere to our already festive location. Parades will roll in on Feb. 9 and Feb. 10 in Orange Beach, and again on Mardi Gras Day (Feb. 13) in both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. We love welcoming visitors to enjoy the revelry, but we ask that you use environmentally friendly practices while here. Let’s deal first with the beads, many of which end up in the streets or in trash [...]
The Alabama sea turtle nesting season is coming to an end. By the end of October, thousands of hatchlings will have made their way to the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. We appreciate all the volunteers and visitors who kept an eye out for nests and tracks during visits to the beach. Let’s be honest: there are not many things that match the feeling of watching dozens of the little guys waddling their way through the sand to [...]
You love visiting the beautiful Alabama beaches for a vacation, so why not help protect it even when you’re back home? You can do that when you use environmentally-friendly practices all year long. Check out these small choices that can make a difference by reducing your carbon footprint. First, use canvas bags instead of plastic ones when you shop at a grocery store or dollar store. Shoppers use 500 billion (that’s billion with a “b”) plastic bags each year. It’s [...]
You love dolphins, right? We all do. They are beautiful, playful and graceful creatures that you can see from the beach or up close while boating. Visitors love watching dolphins rollicking in the waves. We need to be smart, however, in how we interact with dolphins in order to protect them. A program called Dolphin SMART provides guidelines for all of us to safely view dolphins and protect their habitat. The Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits harassment, hunting, capturing, killing [...]
Those plants with the large plumes you see along the beach may look like weeds, but they are a vital part of the ecosystem. Sea oats play an important role in coastal conservation. That’s why signs are posted along the beach asking you to avoid areas where there is plant vegetation or a dunes restoration project. Sea oats are actually a miraculous little production plant, and there’s a whole lot more going on than those plumes you see on the [...]
