7 Things Not to Do on Your Beach Vacation
Swim. Build a sandcastle. Soak up the sun. While there’s no end to the amazing ways you can (and should) enjoy our beautiful beaches on the Alabama Gulf Coast, there are also a few things to avoid if you want to have a spectacular time on our shores.
While you’re busy having the time of your life, here are 7 things NOT to do on your beach vacation:
1. Don’t vacation without trip insurance.
If the hurricanes and health crises of 2020 taught us anything, it’s that there are a variety of (unexpected) things that can derail your trip. Travel insurance is an easy, budget-friendly way to protect your bank account if you can’t make it to the beach.
2. Don’t skip the Welcome Center.
Our convenient welcome centers in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are your one-stop outing for the best beach experience. Stop in on your way to the beach to browse helpful brochures, snag coupon books and special rack cards, and learn the local secrets from our expert area specialists.
3. Don’t use white lights on the beach.
Artificial lights - like the ones from your phone or flashlight - are terrible for sea turtles. They discourage females from nesting and pose a dangerous distraction for hatchlings, which follow the light of the moon to locate the water. While total darkness is ideal, “turtle-friendly” filters that emit low-UV red lighting can help protect our turtle tribes. You can pick up red filters for flashlights or phones from either of our welcome centers.
4. Don’t leave items on the beach.
Leave Only Footprints isn’t only a catchy campaign slogan - it’s also a guide to basic beach etiquette. When packing up for the night, be sure to carry out everything you carted with you, including any and all trash, tents, sand toys, towels, chairs, and coolers. This will help ensure we can share our shores for years to come.
5. Don’t forget to commemorate your fun.
We want you to remember your blissful beach experience long after you’ve lost your tan lines. To make the most of your memories, commemorate your fun by taking tons of family photos, snagging a special souvenir, or creating a custom craft to help you remember your great days on the Gulf Coast.
6. Don’t fail to prepare for peak season.
If you’re visiting during the summer season (or a popular weekend event), dining lines will be longer than during the fall or winter. If you don’t want to leave your plate to fate, don’t forget to make restaurant reservations or use the handy “Get in Line” feature to secure your spot online. Not all restaurants use this feature, so call ahead or check their website to learn more.
7. Don’t leave your patience at home.
Everyone feels better at the beach, which is why it’s such a popular destination. While everybody hates to wait, packing a healthy dose of patience will make the experience fun and relaxing for everyone, including you, your fellow travelers, and your helpful shore-based staff.
