Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Spring Break

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Spring Break is the perfect time to visit the beach, check out new restaurants, and have fun in the sun! Here are the things you need to know to plan an epic spring break on Alabama's Beaches.

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Spring Break Guide

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🏨Hotels and Vacation Rentals
📍Tours
✨What's New in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

Spring Break is the perfect time to visit Alabama's Beaches! The weather is warming up, the restaurants have fun new spring menus, and the beach is calling your name.

Spring break on Alabama's Gulf Coast is everything you want it to be and more. With sugar-white sand beaches, crystal-clear Gulf waters, legendary live music, and some of the best seafood you'll ever taste, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach know how to deliver a vacation worth talking about.

Gulf Shores Spring Break 2026

Gulf Shores has a few rules and regulations that apply to Spring Break. Make sure you pay for parking at the beach with the Park Mobile app. There is also a ban on alcohol on the beach from March 1 - April 28, 2026.

Gulf Shores Alcohol Ban - Spring Break 2026

The City of Gulf Shores has enacted a ban on alcohol on city beaches from March 1st to April 28, 2026.

The City of Gulf Shores has assigned additional resources to beach patrols and making sure all Alabama and Gulf Shores Municipal laws are followed.

The Alcohol Ban applies to all public beach areas within the city limits from the eastern edge of Bon Secour NWR to the Western boundary of Gulf State Park.

Make sure to check out the different public beach access points for Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

Orange Beach Spring Break 2026

Orange Beach has a few specific changes and updates you will want to be aware of for Spring Break.

Alabama Point East - Small Section closed for Spring Break

The City of Orange Beach closed a small section of Alabama Point East around the Perdido Pass Bridge through most of April.

This includes the bridge pillar areas and the beach on either side of the bridge. The majority of Alabama Point East remains open including parking.

Flora Bama Spring Break

Planning a spring break trip to the legendary Flora-Bama? Here's a quick rundown of what to expect so you can skip the guesswork and focus on the good times.

Hours The gift shop opens daily at 9am and the Flora-Bama itself at 10am, with both staying open until 2:30am. The venue is family friendly for all ages until 6pm. After that, it's 18 and older only. If you're between 18 and 20, you're welcome to stay all night as long as you're through the door by 10pm. Just keep in mind there's no re-entry once you leave.

Also worth knowing: the Flora-Bama has two dine-in restaurants just across the street, the Flora-Bama Yacht Club and the Flora-Bama Ole River Grill. Both open daily at 11am and are family friendly all hours. The Ole River Grill is open Sunday through Thursday 11am to 9pm and Friday through Saturday 11am to 10pm. The Yacht Club keeps the same schedule.

Cover Charge Thursday through Saturday nights starting at 6pm, a cover charge applies. It's $5 for guests 21 and older, and $15 for those 18 to 20.

Accepted ID Florida law does not allow the Flora-Bama to accept digital IDs or LA Wallet. You'll need a valid, non-expired physical ID, whether that's a driver's license, passport, military ID, or state-issued ID. Paper IDs are not accepted.

Beach Safety Flags

Before you head out to the Gulf, take a moment to check the beach flags. The colored flag system used across Gulf Shores and Orange Beach designates the water conditions for that day, and knowing what they mean could make all the difference for a safe and enjoyable spring break.

Flag Colors at a Glance

• Green: Low Hazard - You won't see green flags in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, but you may encounter them at other beaches.
• Yellow: Medium Hazard - The Gulf is open for swimming and wading, but expect moderate surf or currents. Stay alert.
• Purple: Marine Pests Present - Exercise caution, as marine pests are in the water. Purple flags can fly alongside red or yellow flags.
• Red: High Hazard - High surf and/or strong currents are present. Remember: red flag means knee deep is too deep.
• Double Red: Water Closed - The Gulf is closed to the public. It is illegal to enter the water within the city limits of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach when double red flags are flying.

How to Check Beach Conditions

The easiest way is simply to look for the flags posted on the beach before you hit the water. The same warning system is used throughout both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, so the flags mean the same thing no matter where you set up your towel.

Prefer to plan ahead? You can sign up to receive daily beach conditions and flag status updates straight to your phone. Text ALBEACHES to 888777 to get started, and text STOP when your trip is over to opt out. For broader local weather alerts and warnings, text ALERTBALDWIN to 888777 instead.

Rather call? No problem. For beach conditions in Gulf Shores, call 251-968-SURF (7873), and for Orange Beach, call 251-981-SURF (7873).

Top Things to do during Spring Break in Gulf Shore & Orange Beach

There are so many great things to do while visiting the area! These are some of our favorite spring break activities.

Dolphin Cruises - We have a ton of amazing Dolphin Tours that are perfect for all ages.

Tiki Boats - Enjoy time out on the water cruising around in a fun tiki boat.

Go Karts - Cruise the track at one of our great Go Kart Tracks. We have tracks for all ages so the entire family can have fun.

Gulf State Park - Gulf State Park has over 6,000 acres of park to explore including world renowned hiking/biking trails, camping, beach access, segway tours, aand more.

Fort Morgan - Head down to Fort Morgan and visit the historic fort, great restaurants, dog-friendly beaches, and more.

Tropic Falls at OWA - Head up to Foley and check out Tropic Falls amuseument park and water park.

Best things to do with kids - Bringing the entire family don't miss these fun activities for all ages.

Free things to do - Fun free and frugal things to do around town.

Unique things to do - We have quite a few unique things to do that are only found in this area.

If it rains check these out - While we all hope for sunny weather there are days we get rain.

Sunrise Spots - Early birds get to enjoy a gorgeous sunrise over the Gulf! Soak in the last few weeks of sunrise over the Gulf before it moves back to the back bays.

Where to eat during Spring Break in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

Pizza- There is just something about a good pizza after an amazing day on the beach. These are our favorite pizza shops in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach.

Kid-Friendly Restaurants - These restaurants are perfect for the whole family to enjoy.

Watefront Restaurants - Dine with a view of the water with these great waterfront restaurants.

Best Burgers in Town - Nothing beats a juicy burger and fries after a day on the beach

Ice Cream Shops - We have epic ice cream shops in both Orange Beach and Gulf Shores.

Dog-Friendly Restaurants - If you are bringing your favorite furry pup with you on Spring Break these restaurants are pet friendly.

Italian Restaurants - Pasta, pasta, and more pasta goodness

Fine Dining - Celebrating something fun or looking for a nice date night out these are our favorite fine dining restaurants in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach.

Best bars - 21+ looking for a great drink, fun vibe, and night out these are the places to visit.