72°
Partly Sunny
0%
85
Baldwin County, AL · Gulf of Mexico
Gulf Shores Public Beach
101 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Alabama's flagship public beach — wide sugar-white quartz sand at the south end of AL-59. The Hangout (the local landmark restaurant/concert venue) is on the beach. Family Gulf coast in classic form; the boardwalk is short but the beach goes for miles east and west.
Today's Conditions
Ideal for swimming.
77°F water · 72°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Partly sunny, with a high near 72. North wind around 10 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. North wind 10 to 15 mph.
Weather
- 72°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 77°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
85 /100
ideal
89 Swim
79 Sunbathe
84 Walk
76 Fish
81 Photo
Best for swimming today
Water level 0.7 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
72°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind
10 mph
N
Rain
0%
This Afternoon
Air Quality
19 Good
PM2.5 (fine particles) · Mobile
UV Peak
5 Moderate
Peaks 12 PM · burn in ~40m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 03 PM
Tomorrow
71°F
Mostly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
77°F
Swimming weather
Next High Tide
8:21 PM
1.5 ft · in 1.8h
Wave Height
2.0 ft
4s · ENE swell
Barometer
30.06 inHg
1018 hPa · buoy 42012
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (GMZ650)
The MOB office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- ALZ265 Mobile Coastal-Baldwin Coastal — Dauphin Island, Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, n/a
- FLZ202 Escambia Coastal-Santa Rosa Coastal-Okaloosa Coastal — Pensacola Beach, Gulf Breeze, Navarre Beach, n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:09 AM
Sunset
4:59 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:47 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 8:21 PM | High | 1.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 7:36 AM | Low | 0.1 ft |
| 8:47 PM | High | 1.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 8:25 AM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| 9:19 PM | High | 1.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 9:15 AM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| 9:57 PM | High | 1.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 10:05 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 10:39 PM | High | 1.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 10:54 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
| 11:22 PM | High | 1.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 11:39 AM | Low | -0.1 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8735180, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
71°
Mostly Sunny
0%
81
73°
Mostly Sunny
0%
83
73°
Sunny
0%
85
74°
Partly Sunny
3%
85
73°
Mostly Cloudy
14%
62
66°
Sunny
1%
63
What to Bring Today
- recommended SPF 30 sunscreen clear day + warm temps
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 77°F
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Best Fishing Times Today
Solunar theory: fish activity peaks at moon transits (major) and moonrise/moonset (minor). All times local.
Major
9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Minor
4:20 AM - 5:20 AM
Major
9:20 AM - 11:20 AM
Minor
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Beach Info
Parking
Paid public lot at Gulf Place; free lots at Gulf State Park further east. Metered street parking on Beach Blvd.
Dogs
Pets prohibited on Gulf Shores sand beaches year-round (not seasonal). Off-leash dog beach at Lake Shelby in Gulf State Park year-round.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
101 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Amenities
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Gulf Shores Public Beach today?
Gulf Shores Public Beach shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. Seasonal lifeguards patrol the swim area in summer — follow their flags. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
Is Gulf Shores Public Beach dog-friendly?
Pets prohibited on Gulf Shores sand beaches year-round (not seasonal). Off-leash dog beach at Lake Shelby in Gulf State Park year-round.
Is there an entry fee at Gulf Shores Public Beach?
Entry to Gulf Shores Public Beach is free.
Are there lifeguards at Gulf Shores Public Beach?
Yes. Seasonal lifeguards patrol Gulf Shores Public Beach during the summer swim season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Outside that window, swim at your own risk.
What amenities are at Gulf Shores Public Beach?
Amenities at Gulf Shores Public Beach include lifeguards, restaurants, restrooms, showers, shops, pavilion.
When is the water warmest at Gulf Shores Public Beach?
The Gulf of Mexico is bathwater-warm by mid-summer — 84-88°F is typical from July through September on the FL Gulf, TX coast, and AL/MS coast. Swimming comfortable from April through October on most of the Gulf.
Where is Gulf Shores Public Beach located?
Gulf Shores Public Beach is in Baldwin County, AL, at 101 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS