15 Public Beaches

Shell Beach - A Gulf State Park Beach Area

Shell Beach is located on Perdido Beach Boulevard across from The Caribe and just east of the Perdido Pass Bridge. As its name suggests, you’ll find plenty of shells here in the sand. Parking is available, as well as a portable restroom.

Alabama Point East - A Gulf State Park Beach Area

Alabama Point East is located 0.3 miles east of Perdido Pass Bridge and offers more than 6,000 feet of wide beach in addition to sand dunes, boardwalks, picnic areas, restrooms and outdoor showers.

Cotton Bayou - A Gulf State Park Beach Area

Cotton Bayou is located at Highway 182 and Highway 161 between some of the area’s most popular condominiums. There are restrooms and outdoor showers on-site in addition to a handicap-accessible boardwalk leading to the shore. 

Romar Beach - A Gulf State Park Beach Area

Romar Beach is located 6.8 miles east of Highway 59 and is near several condos, including the Phoenix V and Seaside Beach Club. This beach spot offers parking.

The Gulf State Park Pavilion

The Gulf State Park Pavilion area is located six miles east of Highway 59 and offers a beach pavilion with air-conditioned restrooms, private showers, a snack bar, shady spots to sit and eat, plus a large fireplace for chilly days.

Gulf Place (Gulf Shores Main Public Beach)

Gulf Place is located where Alabama Highway 59 dead-ends at East Beach Blvd. (Hwy. 182). The beach is monitored seasonally by lifeguards and includes three open-air pavilions, a picnic area, plus a playground, restrooms and showers on-site. It's the perfect location for playing volleyball or grabbing a snack at the nearby Hangout. Four beach mats along this stretch of beach make it easy for those with limited mobility and wheelchairs to reach the shore.  

Branyon Beach Access

Branyon Beach Access is located at the intersection of Highway 182 and Campground Road. Features include limited parking, a traffic light to cross the highway, and a nice boardwalk to cross the sand dunes.

Gulf Shores 4th Street Public Beach

Gulf Shores 4th Street Public Beach offers only pedestrian crossing beach access, perfect for those staying at nearby properties.

Gulf Shores 5th Street Public Beach

Gulf Shores 5th Street Public Beach is located five blocks west of Highway 59, with free parking on the north side where the boardwalk leads to the beach. Parking is also available on the south side beside Bahama Bob’s.

Parking

Parking kiosks are now in place at Beach Pavilion, East Gulf Place, West Gulf Place, West 6th Street and Little Lagoon Pass in Gulf Shores as well as the public beach accesses in Orange Beach­­­—Romar Beach, Cotton Bayou, Alabama Point and Shell Beach. Please note that these pay stations accept cash and credit cards, but they do not give change back or accept coins. You can find more information about parking in Gulf Shores and parking in Orange Beach.

Accessibility

Accessibility is of great importance to the City of Gulf Shores, and great strides are being made to accommodate as many guests as possible to beach areas. Beach access mats are an integral part of this inclusion and are placed just short of the water’s edge, allowing wheelchair users to get as close as is safe to the water. Access mats are located at the west end of the Gulf Place Public Beach parking area, at west 2nd Street and at the east end of Gulf Place Public Beach near the Pink Pony.