Harris Vacations Staff Writer | August 30, 2024
Gulf Shores, Alabama, saw one of its hottest summers on record this year. While the scorching sun is a plus for your tan and a welcome break from colder weather, you might crave a less sweaty vacation with fewer crowds. That’s why we at Harris Vacations invite you to consider a vacation in Gulf Shores in the fall months.
Take the regular tourism numbers and cut them in half during October and November. You’ll still enjoy coastal views of the Alabama Gulf Coast and smiling sunshine but without the intense heat or crowds.
But what can you expect from your fall getaway in Gulf Shores? Our founder and team have spent a lifetime in the region. We’ll walk you through weather details, fall festivals, and other exciting activities to enjoy during fall in Gulf Shores.
Photo Credit: Cavan-Images
Fall is the perfect time to visit Gulf Shores for your beach vacation, whether you’re on a romantic getaway or enjoying precious quality time with your family. Keep in mind that the City of Gulf Shores employs lifeguards on all its eight beaches from March all the way to October. So, if you come for a September or October vacation, you can still enjoy a relatively warm and safe swim.
The same goes for Orange Beach, a short 13-minute drive from Gulf Shores. In October, the water is still warm and swimmable. However, visitors in November might find the beach and water too chilly for a proper beach day.
Here are some average temperatures to expect in Gulf Shores during the fall season:
Who says you can’t enjoy the beach or nature in the fall? If anything, some of our favorite outdoor activities in Gulf Shores are more relaxing when the heat isn’t so sweltering. Here are our favorite things to do during the fall season in Gulf Shores.
Photo Credit: Monkey Business Images
Water temperatures stay pretty warm throughout September and a good chunk of October, meaning you can still bust out that bikini and enjoy Gulf Shores’ infamous beaches. You might bring a picnic basket with some goodies from one of the town’s fabulous seafood restaurants or enjoy some water sports like jet skiing or kayaking.
And even if it’s too cold to go swimming? The beach still welcomes you with its gorgeous sunset views and sugar-white sands. Take a romantic stroll or enjoy a picnic with a beautiful backdrop.
Our favorite Gulf Shores beaches:
Photo Credit: Maridav
Who wants to go hiking when you’re sweating buckets from the heat? Not many — that’s why summer isn’t necessarily the best time for hiking in our view. But fall weather plus nature and exciting wildlife trails? Sounds like the perfect combination.
Gulf Shores’ temperatures range from 75 to 80 degrees in fall months (except November which gets a bit chillier), which makes it a great time to enjoy nature. All you need is a light jacket, and even during daily highs you could get away with a t-shirt. Our town’s hiking trails gift trekkers with ample views of birds and wildlife like raccoons and, if you’re lucky, alligators!
Our favorite places to hike in Gulf Shores:
Photo Credit: Nigel Jarvis
We’d recommend this one closer to the beginning of fall so you don’t feel too cold on the boat — but either way, a windbreaker, and layers will still keep you cozy on the ocean in October and November! Gulf Shores has abundant options for boat experiences, but our favorite has to be the fishing charter. Don’t you want to see where your favorite Gulf Coast seafood comes from?
One we’d really recommend is from Easy Living Charters, a company that offers both charters to fish speckled and white trout, flounder, King Mackerel, and more, along with dolphin cruises that will have kids and adults alike marveling in wonder.
Craving live music, stellar cuisine, and a little bit of culture on your fall getaway? Check out these fall events in Gulf Shores. Just make sure you double-check each event’s website to confirm dates and times as well.
Photo Credit: tairome
Craving a shrimp po’boy? How about gumbo or simply buttery garlic boiled shrimp? No matter your shrimp palate, you’ll find a ton of Gulf Shores seafood at the annual National Shrimp Festival.
The sidewalks touching the beaches fill up with endless food vendor stands selling shrimp in 100 different ways for you to enjoy in the sunshine. In the background, you’ll hear live music ranging from Motown and jazz to classical rock and country.
Photo Credit: pongsatorn imudom
This October event will take you about an hour away from Gulf Shores to Spanish Fort, Alabama — but if you’re a bird lover? You can’t miss the breathtaking sights of over 300 species of birds flying south from Canada during the fall season. Hummingbirds, herons, and plovers are just a few examples.
The festival has a few events within its three days for you to pick from, from bird-spotting walks to kayak trips and workshops on specific birds or watching techniques.
Photo Credit: Jorge A. Russell
Feeling patriotic? Then you can’t miss Freedom Fest, a four-time running festival that highlights pride for the USA. You’ll find various booths from the US forces, a collectibles firearm show, and even a First Responders’ demonstration from the Orange Beach fire and police departments.
There’s no shortage of food vendors for your favorite American and Southern fare, like cheeseburgers, barbecue, and much more. Freedom Fest is extremely family-friendly, with bouncing castles, live music sponsored by Flora-Bama, and a classic car show to stroll through with the whole family.
Photo Credit: Inara Prusakova
While September and October are still fairly warm in Gulf Shores, November brings a pleasant dip in temperatures and sometimes breezy weather! Here is how you can prepare when packing essentials.
Fall is a lovely season to visit the Alabama coast for its milder weather (without sacrificing sunshine), fewer crowds, and variety of exciting events. But you can’t enjoy Gulf Shores any season without a comfortable place to stay.
Whether you want an Orange Beach condo along the coast or a Gulf Shores villa for your extended family, Harris Vacations has you covered. We’ve been in the vacation rental business for over ten years and have hundreds of happy clients who rely on us every year for their Gulf Shores vacation.
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