Gulf Shores Public Beach
Gulf Shores Public Beach
4.5
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Best nearby
Restaurants
95 within 5 kms
Attractions
33 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
468 reviews
Excellent
331
Very good
86
Average
26
Poor
10
Terrible
15
IrishChief
Monmouth County, NJ355 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Beautiful powdery sand beaches. Crystal clear water. Lots of shells. We obviously didn’t swim as it was too cold but stunning beaches. Made for a relaxing enjoyable stroll!
Written February 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brittany Z
3 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Worst beach and vacation I've ever had! There is nothing to do what so ever. If you found something to do, better get there before 6 pm (the track). Everything else closed at 8 or 9 pm. Even the restaurants. We never found a decent place to get a meal. For a family of 2 adults and 2 children the food ticket would be at least $90. For mediocre food at best. The souvenir shops were wayyyy over priced. Can't ride a board because the water and waves are shallow. I'll stick with the Atlantic Ocean and Florida or SC from now on. Never again will I waste another vacation to this lame excuse of a vacation destination. I don't understand the hype. Must be the only beach the regulars have ever been to! Definitely a huge disappointment!
Written October 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Meander21123301339
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Family
Gulf State Park beach is pretty, but the water had lots of jellyfish that stung-not fun! The last two days of our trip, the wind shifted out of the north and we were also attacked by VICIOUS biting flies! We packed up and left the beach after twenty miserable minutes. I’m not sure when a good time to visit is, but we’ve been in August previously and now September. I doubt we’ll be back. It’s a shame, because we really like the surrounding area, the restaurants, access to stores, Gulf State Park Campground, the dog park, the trails, etc.😥
Written September 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WendyBelle
Lexington, Kentucky2 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
Ate at some great places! Buzzcatz for breakfast! Villagio at The Wharf! OSO at Bear Point for lunch!
Written August 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Corina A
Biloxi, MS3 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
The beaches themselves are nice but it’s really sad that there’s no budget friendly parking and no disabled friendly beach space. If a family saved for years to be able to vacation and chose Gulf Shores, they might be surprised to find out that they can’t go to the beach because there’s no where to park that doesn’t cost money. The free parking lots that you see on the city’s website are blocked off by construction.
Written July 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
phillip p
Florence, AL26 contributions
Jun 2023
We chose Gulf shores for our beach vacation this year and were so glad we did. The beach was clean and not very crowded. Parking was not that expensive, but you have to catch a parking spot before lunch or they are hard to find. The best part was the services offered to us by the beach personnel. My wife is disabled and uses a mobility scooter to get around, which does not work for sand. From their website the beach provided transportation for us with a side by side from our car to a great spot on the beach. Our driver was Tammy and she was wonderful. She gave my wife her cell number and told her to call if she needed to go back to the car or to the bathroom or to a beachfront restaurant near us. She was so helpful and it made it possible for my wife to enjoy the beach just like everybody else. We are so thankful that the city provides these services and has awesome employees like Tammy. Anytime we decide to go back to the beach, it will be gulf shores without a doubt. The beautiful white sand and great restaurants and shopping make it the place for us!
Written June 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tmke2023
8 contributions
Mar 2023
Had a wonderful tour of pier. Beautiful white sands beach. Everyone friendly. My husband should have worn sun block on his arms. I am golden though.
Written March 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tansy2015
Michigan336 contributions
Mar 2023
There is an alcohol ban going on during the spring break times, but people are drinking and leaving all of their garbage behind anyway. Even with the police presence. More garbage on this beach than another we have visited.
We picked up two garbage bags of plastic, cans and paper plates to try to help out. We will not go here again.
We picked up two garbage bags of plastic, cans and paper plates to try to help out. We will not go here again.
Written March 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
steve y
Siren, WI307 contributions
Mar 2023
Love sitting and walking Gulf Shores Public beach. Clean beach, with toilets, wash stations for feet. Also, an accessible mat for wheelchairs, older people to get to the beach
Written March 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yaba D
1 contribution
Mar 2022 • Solo
You would think they would ban cigarettes, or drunked out people littering. Nah, they ban dogs from Gulf shores and Orange beaches.
Anyways after the dogs banned the beaches are still dirty, trash all over but I take my dog to Dauphin Island Beach. It's pet friendly and very laid back
Imagine thinking Dogs were the problem...
Anyways after the dogs banned the beaches are still dirty, trash all over but I take my dog to Dauphin Island Beach. It's pet friendly and very laid back
Imagine thinking Dogs were the problem...
Written February 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can we get beach service on public beach? And can you drink alcohol on the beach
harryh409
Crestview, FL391 contributions
What do you mean by beach service? If you mean for someone to come to you for services I doubt it unless you are staying at a motel on the beach. Why bring alcohol on the beach? Just enjoy Mother Nature and have your drink when you go home.
Karon G
Kyle, TX
I have visited y'all in late August, 2 different years, and both times the Gulf looked like a lake (no waves), there was no breeze, and the mosquitos on the balcony kept us inside.
Does this happen every August? I'd like to celebrate my 75th birthday at the end of August at Gulf Shores, but I sure don't want to make to risk this if it's normal for that time of the year. Thanks!
SpringHillMary
Spring Hill TN114 contributions
Can I rent towels?
spacejunky
Nashville, TN46 contributions
There is not a place to rent towels but there are stores across the street from the public beach in Gulf Shores to buy some towels including a Dollar General.
lisapm2017
Oxford, United States1 contribution
We will be there Labor Day weekend. Will we be able to rent umbrella and chairs at Public Beach?
kirt v
Colgate, WI824 contributions
I would say yes. Unless there is a storm
We are going at the end of August. Are the beaches back open and the waters safe to swim in?
jwatkins936
11 contributions
The beaches are open now, and will remain open unless another hurricane cause them to close it again.
Sandy L
Dallas, TX1 contribution
Arriving the last week of August and the home is on W. Beach Blvd. with access to a beach. However, home does not come with beach equipment (umbrellas, chairs, etc.) so was told that Sea of Gulf Shores Public Beach (6 miles from the house) would be our best bet for equipment rental. Can anyone please confirm this? And, is there good parking and what is the fee?
Thanks in advance for any helpful hints.
Sandy in Dallas
georgygirl
Ironwood, MI29 contributions
There are many rental places for chairs, umbrellas, etc.. The condos also rent lounger on the beach.
Is there oil just below the surface of the Gulf Shores sand, like the Texas beaches?
Robert W
Park Ridge, IL3,121 contributions
We are usually at Gulf Shores for two separate weeks each year for the last 15 years. I'm sure they never needed to replace all the sand at Gulf Shores. It never was affected that much. But the City of Gulf Shores received payments from Exxon (due to disruption of tourism) and they have several crews that rake the sand almost every morning and every night. After the offshore spill they had teams of people looking for any tar balls or signs of oil and everything was carefully picked-up. The sands are called "sugar sands" because the sand has the texture of granulated sugar. The sand is also white because the sand is almost entirely bits of sea shells broken into tiny fragments - check it yourself with a magnifying glass. The beaches at Gulf Shores are clean and are cared for (with garbage picked up too) as any place in the world. The economy of Gulf Shores depends on the beaches and they have dedicated significant resources toward keeping the beaches clean.
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Claim your listingGULF SHORES PUBLIC BEACH: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Gulf Shores Public Beach
- Hotels near Gulf Shores Public Beach:
- (0.05 km) May Specials - Beachfront condo!
- (0.15 km) Prime Beach/Lagoon Location! Walk to beach and restaurants!
- (0.14 km) Summer Break is almost here! Don't miss the Waves, Sand and Sun�
- (0.15 km) Prime Beach/Lagoon Location! Walk to beach and restaurants!
- (0.07 km) Waterfront on Little Lagoon! Walk to the beach! Beach house with private pier!
- Restaurants near Gulf Shores Public Beach:
- (0.26 km) S & S Seafood Market
- (0.24 km) The BEACH HOUSE Kitchen & Cocktails
- (0.26 km) Island Ice Cream
- (0.57 km) Janino's Pizza
- (2.82 km) Gulf Shores Seafood
- Attractions near Gulf Shores Public Beach:
- (1.20 km) Ike's Beach Service
- (1.57 km) Pleasure Island Parasailing
- (4.86 km) Coastal Segway Adventures
- (4.07 km) Gulf State Park
- (3.69 km) Island Marine Charters