The warm weather and sandy white beaches along Alabama’s stretch of coast won’t disappoint. Blue waters and perfect sunbathing weather are guaranteed along the Gulf of Mexico, and Alabama is as good a place as any to enjoy the best Gulf beaches.
Go snorkeling and get up close to the incredible marine species that call the Gulf home, then spend the evening eating freshly caught seafood at a beachside restaurant. You won’t want to go home!
There’s something for everyone on the best Alabama’s beaches, from exciting music festivals like the Hangout Music Festival in Gulf Shores that young groups of friends will love, to family-friendly fun like kayaking out to Robinson Island. You’ll be planning your next trip to the coast of Alabama before you’ve even left!
8. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
This unique wildlife refuge boasts a range of habitats, from sandy white beaches and saltwater marshes to freshwater swamps and sand dunes. The landscape isn’t all that attracts visitors, it’s also home to an array of fantastic wildlife.
Spend your time at the beach soaking up the sun and watching the world go by. Be sure to keep a lookout for the endangered Alabama beach mouse that roams the area. The beaches in the refuge are also nesting grounds for loggerhead and Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles.
The Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is just 10 minutes drive away from Gulf Shores, and it offers you the chance to enjoy a different kind of beach day. It’s not often you sit on a beach that is visited by more than 370 species of birds!
7. Robinson Island, Orange Beach
This tiny island is known for its stunning beach and turquoise waters. It’s just one of the four islands off the shores of Orange Beach, but it’s by far the most popular. You’ll get to enjoy the peace and tranquility of a day on an island with views of the city in the distance.
You’ll need to rent a boat to get to the island, it’s not safe to swim out because of the currents. If you’re not a boater you can also get there by kayak, jet ski, or even paddleboard.
Bring some beers and spend the day relaxing on this gorgeous island, away from the hustle and bustle of Orange Beach. You’re going to love it!
6. North Beach Park, Fairhope
This charming city beach in Fairhope is a great place for families to come and enjoy some quality time together. There are paved walking trails near the beach that are perfect for an easy stroll, and the beach is right by Beach Park Tree Trail which has over 500 species of trees.
Because it’s so close to Duck Pond, there are ducks and geese wandering freely along the beach. So you can enjoy a splash in the sea with views of ducks waddling across the beach. What’s not to love? Careful with the geese though, they aren’t known to be so well tempered!
The beach has a covered pavilion and playpark too, so you can combine a day on the beach with a trip to the playground and a picnic – there’s enough to keep everyone busy for the whole day at North Beach Park.
5. Fort Morgan Public Beach
Fort Morgan is a historic fort in Mobile Bay, a little inlet along the Gulf of Mexico. It was important during the War of 1812 and then played an important role later during the American Civil War.
A little town has since grown around it, and the mix of sandy white beaches and history make it a top beach destination. It’s not a very well known spot, so you can be sure you’ll avoid the big crowds that spend their holidays at better known beach destinations like Dauphin Island.
The beaches tend to be dog-friendly too, so that’s an added perk to coming to Fort Morgan. Spend a relaxing day listening to the waves crash onto the shore, and enjoy the peace and tranquility of this remote stretch of beach.
4. Dauphin Island Public Beach
This island beach is situated at the west end of Dauphin Island, luckily you can still drive there despite its island location. Remote and vast, the long stretch of beach has plenty of space for everyone and is generally not crowded.
Even on a busy day though, there’s enough space for everyone to spread out and enjoy some peace and quiet – bring a good book! It’s situated along the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, so there’s lots of great bird watching.
The white sand and clear blue waters are perfect for sunbathing and snorkeling. The beach isn’t just a favorite amongst tourists either, the locals love it too. Come on down and meet some local Alabama folk!
3. Gulf State Park
Gulf State Park is a beach in Gulf Shores city. With over two miles of sandy beach to enjoy and plenty of recreational opportunities, this is the perfect city beach to come to with friends or family.
There is a little gift shop at the beach that sells tackle and souvenirs too. Grab what you need and go and try your luck catching your meal from the 20-foot wide fishing pier that extends 1,512 feet into the water.
If fishing isn’t for you and you want to do something that’ll give you an adrenaline rush, rent a board and catch some Alabama waves on a day with a good swell.
2. Orange Beach
This small town along the Gulf of Mexico has stunning white sand beaches that everyone will enjoy. The main attraction is in the name – the beach! Miles of light white sand and calm waters await at Orange Beach.
Spend days in the sun doing nothing at all, simply soaking up the sun and getting that summer tan. If you’re looking for accommodation there are lots of hotels along the beachfront.
1. Gulf Shores Public Beach
The Public Beach in Gulf Shores is a favorite spot in the city, and there’s a lot of beach to explore! There are various access points to the beach, which starts just where Highway 59 dead-ends into the Gulf, so check which is nearest to you.
Come and play a friendly match of beach volleyball, or walk the boardwalk along the beachfront. After a long day of relaxing in the sun, drink a cold beer by the beach at one of the many beach-side bars.
Before heading home try a local seafood dish at one of the many restaurants along the beachfront; you can’t go wrong with a plate of freshly caught fish.