Fun for Kids at Night | Ghost Crab Hunting

Ghost Crab

On the beaches of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, you might notice a lot of parents and delighted children with flashlights on the beach at night. They are hunting and catching ghost crabs. Named for their pale color that helps them blend seamlessly with the sand and their swift, disappearing acts, these creatures create small holes in the sand, which serve as their hideouts. The size of these holes can vary from that of a quarter to a golf ball, depending on the crab’s size. While young ghost crabs are tiny, adults can grow up to 3 inches in body size.

Spotting a ghost crab can be a fleeting experience; they often vanish before you can get a good look, thanks to their impressive speed of up to 10 mph. They tend to stay hidden during the day to avoid people and predators but are active at night.

While it is completely fine for your kids to have a blast hunting them, locals ask that you please do so responsibly. Ghost crabs are NOT good to eat, nor can they swim. So, please release them ON THE SAND after getting some pictures and certainly before you go back to your condo, beach house, or hotel rooms. Plus, during sea turtle nesting season, (May through October) PLEASE use a red flashlight instead of a white one. Because endangered sea turtles use moonlight to navigate, red flashlights are far less disruptive to them. And if you happen to come across a sea turtle trying to crawl up the beach to nest, or if you happen to see small sea turtle hatchlings scrambling toward the water, PLEASE leave them alone and stay away (it’s the law!)

What You Need to Hunt Ghost Crabs (and Where to Get It)

To take the kids ghost crab hunting, you’ll only need three inexpensive items:

1) A “Turtle-safe” Flashlight (red lens) which can be obtained through an online retailer such as Amazon or, if you are unable to find one locally in Gulf Shores, you can get regular flashlights and obtain free red sticker lenses from the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Welcome Centers

2) A small net with a handle which also can be obtained through an online retailer such as Amazon and are also sold locally in Gulf Shores/Orange beach at stores like Walmart, souvenir shops, and beach supply stores

3) A bucket or small ice chest to put your crabs in for a little while (PLEASE release them ON THE SAND before going back to your condo, beach house, or hotel rooms)

Have fun and make some memories!

Fourth of July 2024 | What to do?

The biggest week in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Fort Morgan, AL is Fourth of July Week. Incredibly popular for its Independence Day celebrations, in 2024 the region is offering a ton of fantastic activities, live music, patriotic decorations, and awe-inspiring fireworks shows, including Gulf Shores’ incredible beach fireworks show that attracts hundreds of thousands of proud Americans. 

So, grab a cup of coffee and keep reading for details and important local advice to make your 4th of July go smoothly. Here is just a sample of what goes on here for Independence Day.

The City of Gulf Shores is set to celebrate the Fourth of July with a spectacular fireworks show at 9 p.m. on July 4. The display will take place at the Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier.

Here's the public access schedule for the Gulf State Park Pier:

Thursday, July 4:

7 a.m. – The pier will close for fireworks setup.

12 p.m. – The pier will partially reopen, with access allowed up to 100 feet north of the launch site.

8:30 p.m. – The Fire Marshal will close the entire pier and the on-site restaurant.

9 p.m. – Fireworks show starts.

Friday, July 5:

6 a.m. – The pier will fully reopen to the public.

**LOCAL ADVICE: If you are not staying on the beach or near enough to walk, you will NOT find parking for the fireworks show if you wait until after 10am or so to get down there. This local advises those who need to drive and park for the fireworks show to GET DOWN THERE EARLY IN THE DAY, pay for your parking at a self-serve kiosk, and just leave your car there if you leave the beach. You can call for an Uber, Lyft, or local cab to take you back to your hotel and arrange with the driver to take you back to the beach for the show. Bear in mind that the driver may not be able to return you all the way to the beach – but they can get you within walking distance. Think ahead about getting yourself an ice chest with wheels. DON'T plan to leave the show by cab, Uber or Lyft. There just won't be enough of them. You will be left walking however far it is back to your car or hotel. Regarding alcohol, technically it isn't allowed on the beach, but if you are discreet and don't behave like you're at a frat party, you'll be left alone by the beach police. DON'T smoke weed. It isn't legal here, and it won't be ignored by the beach police. After the show, be prepared for a lengthy traffic jam (ladies, you should definitely hit a beachside public restroom before you depart).

If the fireworks show on the beach sounds like a bit too much trouble for you, you can go to The Wharf in Orange Beach on JULY 3rd for its annual Independence Day Street Party. You’ll enjoy a full slate of fun activities, live music, great food, shopping, a really nice fireworks show, and FAR LESS TRAFFIC!**

Independence Day Street Party Hosted by Beachball Properties (The Wharf)

Celebrate America’s birthday early with us on July 3rd in a fun-filled event featuring red, white, blue, and plenty of excitement! The Entertainment District will be brimming with family-friendly activities, including a bubble truck, bounce houses, and face painting for $10. Enjoy camel rides for $10, capture memories at the Photo 360 Booth, and be amazed by stilt walkers, a balloon artist, a juggler, and the Reptile Bus. DJ Matt will keep the party lively with dance tunes, and special guests like Lady Liberty and Uncle Sam will make appearances. The evening will conclude with palm trees illuminated in patriotic colors and a spectacular fireworks display. This event is proudly brought to you by Beachball Properties. Don’t miss out!

Schedule:

Kids’ Activities: 5-9 pm

National Anthem & Fireworks: 8:45 pm

SPECTRA Laser Light Experience: Following the fireworks show

And for the adults, there is always the Flora-Bama's annual Independence Day party!

Celebrate the 4th of July at Flora-Bama

Join us at Flora-Bama for an unforgettable celebration of our Nation's Birthday! Spend the day enjoying the beach, grooving to live music, and capping off the night with a stunning fireworks display starting at 9 pm.

Whether you come with family or friends, you’re in for a fun-filled day on the beach at Flora-Bama!

Admission:

Cover charge begins at 6 pm

Finally, in addition to all the planned events, both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach will offer guests a ton of other entertainment opportunities for the holiday.

Live Entertainment: Local bands will take the stage, at most of the bars, restaurants, and other venues, filling the air with the sounds of toe-tapping music. Dance along to lively tunes and immerse yourself in the infectious energy of the crowd.

Family-Friendly Activities: These coastal towns are renowned for their family-friendly atmosphere, and the Fourth of July celebrations are no exception. From face painting to sandcastle contests, there will be a myriad of activities around the area to keep the little ones entertained. Engage in beach volleyball tournaments, take a dip in the crystal-clear waters, or simply relax and savor the tranquil coastal ambiance.

Delectable Dining: The culinary scene in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is second to none. Indulge in a wide array of mouthwatering options as local restaurants and food vendors dish up their specialties. From fresh seafood platters to Southern comfort favorites, there will be something to satisfy every palate.

As we conclude our exploration of the best things in Gulf Shores, consider these additional "Honorable Mention" points of interest such as Fort Morgan for Civil War history buffs, the USS Alabama battleship in Mobile and the Pensacola Naval Air Station museum for Naval warfare enthusiasts.

Check out these additional helpful links to plan your stay:

Where locals like to eat and drink

Things locals like to do

Places to shop

Great fishing charters

Local favorite golf courses

Take a moment also to review local advice about what to do, and NOT do, at Gulf Shores' public beaches.

Where to Eat | Fire Smoked Fish Company | A Local Favorite

Wanting to avoid the long waits at restaurants but still have something local and delicious? Look no further than Fire Smoked Fish Company in Gulf Shores! This local veteran-owned takeout-only shop opened in August 2020, just a week before Hurricane Sally slammed Gulf Shores – and they survived. No doubt because the food is delicious and unique.

Everything is smoked on-site and prepared from scratch daily. Their offerings include smoked fish, smoked gourmet dips, and other local specialty favorites such as their smoked “Big Daddy” pork chop. This writer is particularly addicted to the smoked pork chop, which is HUGE and mouthwateringly great. So, avoid those long restaurant waits and eat like royalty in the comfort of your condo or beach house – and it’s very reasonably priced, too.

Things to know: Fire Smoked Fish is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10am to 3 pm. So, get there before 3pm to pick up your “dine-at-home” meals. Conveniently located in the heart of Gulf Shores in the blue shopping center across the street from Rouses Grocery and Arby’s.

LEARN MORE ABOUT FIRE SMOKED FISH COMPANY

Beach Flag Warning System | What it Means

Click to enlarge photo

For the safety of all guests and local residents, a Beach Flag Warning System is present at all public beaches in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Gulf State Park. Gulf conditions are monitored continuously throughout the day. Keep in mind that the lack of red flags does not guarantee safe conditions. NOTE: ALWAYS enter the water with caution in mind, preferably with some kind of floatation device (boogie board, paddleboard, inflatable float, etc). Children should ALWAYS be equipped with floaties or a floatation device that is ATTACHED to them via lanyard, etc. (boogie boards, etc.) so that they cannot become separated from it. 

Yellow Beach Flag: Medium hazard due to moderate surf and/or currents.

Purple Beach Flag: Marine pests (such as jellyfish) are present; exercise caution.

Red Beach Flag: High hazard with high surf and/or strong currents.

Double Red Flags: Water is closed to the public. Entering the Gulf of Mexico is illegal within the corporate limits of either city when two red flags are displayed.

GET DAILY SURF CONDITIONS BY TEXT

Sign up to receive daily beach conditions and warning flag status by texting ALBEACHES to 888777. At the end of your vacation, opt out of the text alerts by texting STOP.

GET DAILY SURF CONDITIONS BY PHONE

For beach conditions in Gulf Shores, call 251-968-SURF (7873)

For beach conditions in Orange Beach, call 251-981-SURF (7873)

GET DAILY SURF CONDITIONS ONLINE (FOR ENTIRE AL COAST)

For beach conditions across the entire Alabama coast, visit the National Weather Service website.

Is the Water Clear in Gulf Shores?

Gulf Shores photo by
Courtney Richmond 

With is white sand beaches and white sand bottom, the water is typically clear and a beautiful blue-green color in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, AL. 

However, like most beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, the water's clarity is sometimes impacted by storms in the Gulf or by heavy rains inland from the beaches because silt runs down a systems of rivers and streams toward the Gulf, emptying into the water through Mobile Bay and Perdido Bay, but it most often clears up again within a few days. 

If you are planning a trip to the area and you notice it has stormed in the Gulf or rained heavily north of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in the days just prior to your arrival, you can check on the Gulf's water quality by visiting the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) website, where GREEN indicates high quality water, and by looking at it with your own eyes via this live beach camera.

Will Hurricane Beryl Hit Gulf Shores?

UPDATE JULY 6, 2024: Hurricane Beryl remains on a projected track to make landfall in southern Texas. All information below continues to apply. 

Lots of people are worried Hurricane Beryl might ruin their vacations this week. But will Hurricane Beryl hit Gulf Shores and Orange Beach? 

In a word: No!

Hurricane Beryl is getting a lot of breathless attention from U.S. media outlets who want your clicks and views, but the fact is Beryl is far, far south of Gulf Shores and it is on a projected path of weakening and moving far, far west of Gulf Shores. U.S. landfall is expected around the southernmost tip of Texas, near the Mexico/U.S. border next Monday - and it is only expected to be a tropical storm when it arrives, NOT a hurricane. 

What does this mean for your vacation this week? Not much. Can there be some bands of rain? Sure. But as a subtropical climate we commonly have pop-up storms several times per week in the summer. Will it rain out your entire vacation? Highly unlikely. Will you have plenty of sunny weather to enjoy the beach? Highly likely.

Currently the forecast for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach calls for only a 40% chance of rain daily though the weekend. That DOES NOT mean there is a 40% chance it will rain every day of the week, or even that it will rain at the beach any days at all. The forecast is estimating there is a 40% chance it will rain SOMEWHERE in the forecaster's viewing area (which is huge) each day. So, I hope this reduces your fear-levels a little.

HOWEVER - one thing Beryl IS likely to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is cause the Gulf of Mexico to have some sizable waves and rip currents during your stay. But if you plan for this, and prepare for safety, you will have a great time!

See beach safety information HERE.

You can also start to plan Where to Eat, Where to Shop, and What to Do during your stay.