Every season on West Beach
When to come, what the Gulf feels like each month, and the adventures waiting a few minutes from our condos — the lagoon out the back, the state park down the road, and reefs, trails and festivals all through the year.
Close enough to forget the car.
Our condos sit on West Beach, on the strip of sand between the Gulf of Mexico and Little Lagoon. These are the distances from our own Vrbo listings — most of a beach week happens within a few minutes of the front door.
Walk to dinner
Leave the keys on the counter — all of these are within about a twenty-minute stroll along West Beach, as listed on Vrbo.
- Janino's Pizza
- Bahama Bob's Beachside Cafe
- Lartigue's Cajun Foods
- The Beach House Kitchen & Cocktails
- The Catch
More tables, with addresses and what to order, in our restaurant guide.
Four seasons, four different beaches.
The Alabama coast never really goes cold, but each season brings a different Gulf. Pick one to see what it's like — the temperatures, the water, the crowds, and what we'd do.
Gulf Shores, month by month
Average air and Gulf water temperature for every month of the year. Tap a month to see its numbers. Swipe the chart sideways to see every month.
Tap or hover a month.
Air temperatures and rainfall: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals for Pensacola International Airport, about 30 miles east — the nearest NOAA normals station; the beach itself runs a few degrees milder on summer afternoons. Gulf water temperatures: gulfshores.com (Dauphin Island Sea Lab data). Hurricane season: NOAA.
From the lagoon to the reef.
Kayaks five minutes from the door, a state park two minutes away, and a shipwreck reef off Orange Beach. Each one links to its official page, so you always have the latest hours and prices.
Paddle & glide
- Little Lagoon 5 min walkCalm, shallow saltwater behind the condos. Launch at Little Lagoon Pass Park, with restrooms and showers. Several local companies deliver kayaks and boards to your door.
- Lake Shelby ~8 minKayak, canoe and paddleboard rentals on Gulf State Park's freshwater lake. Lake Shelby
- Parasailing & banana boatsFrom the Gulf State Park beach pavilion. Park outdoor adventures
Snorkel & dive
- Gulf State Park snorkel reefs ~8 minThree nearshore reefs off the park's beach accesses — the Pavilion, Perdido and Romar. Snorkeling guide
- Alabama Point jetties ~25 minPerdido Pass in Orange Beach, with up to 25 feet of visibility on a good day. Go about an hour before high tide on an incoming tide.
- The LuLu reefA 271-foot freighter sunk in 115 feet of water in May 2013, off Orange Beach — part of the largest artificial reef program in the United States. Reef projects
Fish the Gulf
- Gulf State Park Pier ~8 min1,540 feet over the Gulf, open around the clock. A small fee to walk, a little more to fish. Pier details
- Red snapper seasonOpens in summer — Alabama sets the dates each year. Current seasons
- Your licenseAnglers 16 and over need an Alabama saltwater license; a short trip license and a pier-only license are available. Buy a license
Trails & boardwalks
- Backcountry Trail ~8 min28+ paved miles through Gulf State Park, open to walkers and cyclists, with bike rentals in the park. Trail map
- Wade Ward Nature Park ~4 minAn elevated boardwalk over the wetlands between Little Lagoon and Lake Shelby — otters, pelicans, herons. Wade Ward
- Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge ~15 minDune, pine and lake trails on the Fort Morgan peninsula, free to walk. Refuge trails
Turtles & birds
- Sea turtle nesting · May–OctoberLoggerheads, Kemp's ridleys and green turtles nest on these beaches. Lights out on the balcony at night, fill in holes, and give nests 30 feet. Share the Beach
- Bird migration · spring & fallFort Morgan is a famous "migrant trap" where songbirds land after crossing the Gulf, with bird banding open to visitors. Birding the coast
- Gulf State Park Nature CenterFree, Monday–Saturday, with owls, turtles and alligators. Nature Center
Tennis, golf & dolphins
- Orange Beach Tennis Center ~20 minEight lighted hard courts, open 7 am to 10 pm every day. Tennis Center
- GolfGulf Shores Golf Club, a few minutes away, and Kiva Dunes on the Fort Morgan peninsula. Golf on the coast
- Dolphin cruisesMore than a dozen operators, most sailing out of Orange Beach. Dolphin cruises
Twelve months, something every month.
The festivals, migrations and seasons worth timing a trip around. Dates move a little each year — check the event's own page before you book.
Planning questions.
For swimming, June to September, when the Gulf is 81–85°F. For warm days without the summer crowds, May and late September to October. Spring break (mostly March) and summer are the busiest times; winter is mild and quiet — the season of the snowbirds.
About 55–57°F in January and February, 64°F in March, 69°F in April, 76°F in May, 82°F in June, 84–85°F in July and August, 81°F in September, 74°F in October, 65°F in November and 57°F in December.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, peaking around September 10. Travel insurance is a good idea for late-summer and early-fall stays.
Yes — if you're after quiet rather than swimming. Average highs sit in the low to mid 60s°F, the beaches are wide open, and it's the best season for the Backcountry Trail, birding and fishing from the pier. Fabulous Views' building has a heated indoor pool and hot tub, too.
The beach is a one-minute walk and Little Lagoon about five. Janino's Pizza, Bahama Bob's, Lartigue's Cajun Foods, The Beach House Kitchen & Cocktails and The Catch are all within about a twenty-minute walk along West Beach.
Pick your season. We'll keep the condo ready.
Three beachfront condos on West Beach — the Gulf off the balcony, Little Lagoon out the back, and every adventure on this page a short walk or drive away. Book direct: no Vrbo service fee, and 5% off the nightly rate.
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