Beach Safety Tips Every Local Should Know
in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
Having the beach as your backyard is one of the best parts about living on Alabama’s Beaches. We can walk along the shoreline after work, spend a Saturday morning watching the kids play in the surf, or catch the sunset any day of the week. But if there’s one thing locals know, it’s that even on days with clear skies and calm waters, the Gulf is a mighty force of nature that deserves our respect. Whether you just moved here or you’ve lived on the coast for years, following a few simple beach safety basics can keep your beach days exactly as they’re intended: relaxed, safe, and fun.
Essential Beach Safety Tips
Check the Beach Flags
Understanding the beach flag system in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is one of the easiest ways to stay safe in the Gulf. Before anyone dips a toe in the water, make sure you know which flag is flying and what the color means. Beach warning flags are posted on all public beaches within the city limits and throughout Gulf State Park, and they're updated throughout the day as conditions change. Even my husband, the surfer, pays attention to the flags, and we both receive daily text updates on flag and surf conditions from Alabama's Beaches (text ALBEACHES to 888777).
- Yellow Flag: Medium hazard with moderate surf and/or currents
- Purple Flag: Dangerous marine life, like jellyfish, is present.
- Red Flag: High hazard with high surf and/or strong currents
- Double Red Flag: The water is closed to the public. It is illegal to enter the Gulf within the corporate limits of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
Swim Smart & Keep an Eye on the Kids
My family typically stakes out our spot near a lifeguard stand whenever possible. I have to admit, I didn't fully appreciate how important our local lifeguards were until I became a mom. There's so much comfort in knowing these highly trained men and women can recognize changing water conditions and respond quickly if someone is in distress.
Even with lifeguards nearby, we never leave kiddos unattended near the water. The Gulf can change in an instant, so a responsible adult should always keep their eyes on little ones without distractions from phones, books, or conversations. We also dress our little boy in bright swim trunks, like neon orange or yellow, because they're much easier to spot in the water than blues, whites, or muted colors.
Know How to Navigate a Rip Current
Rip currents are one of the most serious water hazards in the Gulf. They're sneaky and can develop even on beautiful days. Some locals can spot the signs of a rip current and know how to avoid one. But if you ever get caught in one, don't panic or try to swim directly back to shore against the current. Instead, swim parallel to the shoreline until you're free of the current, then turn back toward the beach. If you begin to struggle, float on your back, conserve your energy, and wave for help. Take a few minutes to review these steps with your family and visitors before heading into the water so they can safely navigate rip currents, too.
Stay Hydrated & Protected from the Sun
It's easy to lose track of time when you're enjoying the beach, but the Alabama sun is strong year-round. Sun protection matters no matter the season. After one too many painful sunburns, I've learned the hard way that reapplying sunscreen every couple of hours is well worth the effort.
Our family usually heads to the beach in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the strongest afternoon sun. We pack lightweight, long-sleeved dri-fit or gauzy shirts, hats, sunglasses, and a beach umbrella to help keep everyone cooler and better protected. My husband likes to tease me about my giant water bottles, but staying hydrated is just as important as protecting your skin.
Leave Only Footprints
Our local motto, Leave Only Footprints, doesn't just mean taking your trash and beach gear with you when you leave. It also means filling in any holes you dig before heading home. Deep holes can become hazards for other beachgoers, emergency vehicles, and nesting sea turtles.
Our beaches and sand dunes are home to sea turtles, shorebirds, jellyfish, dolphins, and countless other species, and we all share the responsibility of protecting them. It can be tempting to take a shortcut through the dunes or use them as a backdrop for family photos, but the dunes protect our coastline from storms and erosion while providing critical habitat for native plants and wildlife.
Keeping Our Home Beautiful
One of the greatest gifts of living in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach is knowing the beach is waiting for us to enjoy as often as we want. By being mindful of the Gulf, watching out for one another, and protecting this creation we all share, we’ll keep Alabama’s Beaches as safe and beautiful for the next family as they are for ours.
Ashley Andrews
Ashley Rainer Andrews is a Gulf Coast local who writes from the perspective of someone who has experienced Alabama’s Beaches both as a visitor and as a place to call home. She is the Marketing Manager at Saunders Yachtworks in Gulf Shores and serves on the Junior Board of the Baldwin County Child Advocacy Center and the Session at First Presbyterian Church of Gulf Shores. She enjoys time with her family, reading, staying involved in the community, and never getting tired of a good sunset over the water.