88°
Partly Sunny
6%
76
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
Great day for a beach walk.
88°F water · 88°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Partly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind 10 to 15 mph.
Tonight
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 79. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Weather
- 88°F air — ideal beach weather
- Sunny skies — clear conditions
Water
- 88°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
76 /100
great
75 Swim
72 Sunbathe
82 Walk
66 Fish
78 Photo
Best for walking today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
88°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind
10 to 15 mph
E
Rain
6%
This Afternoon
UV Peak
9 Very High
High 11 AM–03 PM · burn in ~22m
Burn-free before 09 AM & after 05 PM
Tomorrow
87°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Water
Water Temp
88°F
Swimming weather
Next Low Tide
8:46 PM
0.4 ft · in 1.5h
Barometer
30.15 inHg
1021 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
6:32 AM
Sunset
7:04 PM
Moon · 5%
Waning Crescent
Spring tides — bigger range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 9:52 AM | High | 1.6 ft |
| 8:46 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 11:05 AM | High | 1.4 ft |
| 9:21 PM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:49 AM | High | 0.8 ft |
| 3:17 AM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 12:36 PM | High | 1.2 ft |
| 6:11 PM | Low | 1.0 ft |
| 11:38 PM | High | 1.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:01 AM | Low | 0.7 ft |
| 11:34 PM | High | 1.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 10:03 AM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:08 AM | High | 1.4 ft |
| 11:31 AM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:48 AM | High | 1.6 ft |
| 12:39 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8735180, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
87°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
69%
16
87°
Showers And Thunderstorms
80%
13
87°
Showers And Thunderstorms
79%
13
89°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
37%
33
89°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
24%
41
89°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
34%
35
What to Bring Today
- critical SPF 50 sunscreen UV index 9 — very high
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 10 to 15 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 88°F
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 88°F - heat risk
- recommended Cooling towel or hat sustained heat
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
10:20 PM - 12:20 AM
Minor
4:30 AM - 5:30 AM
Major
10:40 AM - 12:40 PM
Minor
6:00 PM - 7:00 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