Dolphins beside a sightseeing boat at sunset off Orange Beach
Plan your trip

The best time to visit Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

For warm beach days with the least rain, look at May and October. May averages 85°F with 7.6 rainy days and October 81°F with 6.4, the fewest of the year. June to August are hotter at 90 to 92°F and bring the most rain, and hurricane season runs from June through November. Lifeguards work from March through October.

Month by month
Checked November 2, 2026NOAA normals 1991–2020Lifeguards Mar–Oct

Orange Beach, Alabama · Photo: U.S. Department of Transportation / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain · Credits

The short answer

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach by season

All figures are long-term averages for Pensacola airport, the nearest long-running weather station, not a forecast.

  • Spring (March to May)

    WeatherHighs from 72 to 85 °F, lows from 53 to 67 °FRain8 rainy days in March, about 7 in April and May

    What to expect: Lifeguards from March 1; no alcohol on Gulf Shores beach sand March 1 to mid or late April; Mardi Gras in February, Mullet Toss and the balloon festival in late April

  • Summer (June to August)

    WeatherHighs of 90 to 92 °F, nights near 74 to 75 °FRainThe wettest months: 12 to 15 rainy days and 7.3 to 7.9 inchesWhat to expectHurricane season starts June 1; lifeguards until 8 pm in Orange Beach

  • Fall (September to November)

    WeatherHighs drop from 89 °F in September to 72 °F in NovemberRainOctober has the fewest rainy days of the year, 6.4What to expectHurricane season peaks around September 10 and ends November 30; National Shrimp Festival in October

  • Winter (December to February)

    WeatherHighs of 63 to 66 °F, lows of 44 to 47 °FRainAbout 9 to 10 rainy days a monthWhat to expectSeasonal lifeguards are off duty; monthly camping and condos by the month
Pick your month

The best time for what you want

These are air temperatures and rainy days; for the water, check today's reading at the Orange Beach buoy. Late spring and October are warm with the fewest rainy days. March and April bring spring break and the alcohol ban on Gulf Shores beaches; summer is hot, wet and hurricane season.

Clouds over the beach at Gulf Shores
Clouds over the beach at Gulf Shores.Gulf Shores, Alabama · Photo: Gary Peeples, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
  • You want warm air and the fewest rainy daysMay or OctoberMay averages 85 °F with 7.6 rainy days, October 81 °F with 6.4, the fewest of the year. October is still hurricane season.
  • You want it hotJuly or AugustAverage highs of 91 to 92 °F. These are also the wettest months, with about 15 rainy days each, in the middle of hurricane season.
  • You want a long, quiet stay in winterDecember to FebruaryHighs in the mid-60s °F. Gulf State Park rents campsites by the month from November to March, and Brett/Robinson rents condos by the month from January to March.
  • You're going for spring breakMarch or AprilNo alcohol on any Gulf Shores beach sand from March 1 to mid or late April. Many hotels need you to be 21 or 25 to check in.
  • You want the lowest priceCompare your datesCompare the same hotel or condo for the same nights in each month you're considering, and avoid the big festival weekends.
Month by month

Average weather through the year

These are NOAA's 1991–2020 normals for Pensacola airport, the nearest long-running station, about 31 road miles from Orange Beach. Rainy days are days with at least 0.01 inch.

  • January

    High63°FLow44°FRain5.0 inRainy days9.6

  • February

    High66°FLow47°FRain4.8 inRainy days8.6

  • March

    High72°FLow53°FRain5.3 inRainy days8.1

  • April

    High78°FLow59°FRain5.5 inRainy days7.1

  • May

    High85°FLow67°FRain3.9 inRainy days7.6

  • June

    High90°FLow74°FRain7.3 inRainy days12

  • July

    High92°FLow75°FRain7.9 inRainy days15.3

  • August

    High91°FLow75°FRain7.5 inRainy days14.7

  • September

    High89°FLow72°FRain6.6 inRainy days9.3

  • October

    High81°FLow62°FRain4.7 inRainy days6.4

  • November

    High72°FLow51°FRain4.4 inRainy days7.1

  • December

    High65°FLow46°FRain5.4 inRainy days9.5

Sources: NOAA NCEI climate normals, Pensacola Regional Airport., NOAA buoy 42012 off Orange Beach for current water temperatures.

Seasons and rules

What changes with the calendar

Spring brings the alcohol ban on Gulf Shores beaches and the start of lifeguard season. In winter the seasonal lifeguards are off duty, but campsites and condos rent by the month.

Sources: National Hurricane Center: climatology, National Weather Service Mobile/Pensacola for current warnings.

The Gulf of Mexico at Gulf State Park in the morning
Morning at Gulf State Park.Gulf State Park, Alabama · Photo: Jodybwiki / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Lifeguards
March to October in Gulf Shores; March 1 to October 31 in Orange Beach. None on duty from November to February
Spring alcohol ban
No alcohol on any Gulf Shores beach sand from March 1 to mid or late April
Paid parking in Gulf Shores
March 1 to November 30
Hurricane season
June 1 to November 30; the Atlantic peak is around September 10
Sea turtle nesting
May 1 to October 31 (Orange Beach lighting rules)
Winter stays
Monthly camping at Gulf State Park from November to March; Brett/Robinson rents condos by the month from January to March, 28 days minimum
Big events

Dates worth planning around

These dates are confirmed by the organizers or the cities. Book early if your trip overlaps one.

Spring break

Flora-Bama events

Events 2026–2027

December 3, 2026
Gulf Shores Community Christmas (free)
January 1, 2027
Polar Bear Dip at the Flora-Bama
February 6–9, 2027
Mardi Gras parades in Orange Beach and at The Wharf
March 13–14, 2027
Orange Beach Festival of Art, Coastal Arts Center (free)
April 23–25, 2027
Interstate Mullet Toss at the Flora-Bama
April 29–May 1, 2027
Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival at OWA, Foley (free entry)
May 21–23, 2027
Sand in My Boots music festival, Gulf Shores
October 7–10, 2027
National Shrimp Festival, Gulf Shores (free entry)
Stay nearby

Book your dates

Three well-rated beachfront hotels to price for the month you pick.

Gulf Shores vacation rentals on Vrbo Orange Beach vacation rentals on Vrbo