If you are staying in one of our Gulf Shores or Orange Beach vacation homes from May to October, please be mindful to not disturb the turtle nesting sites. These little guys need all the help they can get. Better yet, why not donate or volunteer to help them out!

Watch for Turtle Nests in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Help our sea turtle friends make it to the gulf alive!

Every year, around May, female sea turtles lay hundreds of thousands of eggs in nests along the Gulf Coast. Hundreds of volunteers help stake out these nests to increase the odds these little guys will make it to the gulf.

And from July to October, they hatch, and make their way to the Gulf.

From lights that distract, to careless people stepping on nests, to predators, including the family dog, many things can stop the great little guys from making it to the Gulf.

Last year, according to a recent Alabama Sea Turtle Nesting Summary Report:

A total of 237 nests were located on the beaches of Alabama. Four of these nests were confirmed as Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles (Lepidochelys kempi( while the rest were Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Carettacaretta). Data gathered indicate that 22,240 eggs were laid on the beach, yielding 15,035 viable hatchlings of which 14,104 hatchlings made it to the Gulf of Mexico. This was a hatchling success rate of 67.91% and a survival rate of 63.71%.” [clip..] “The average incubation time for all viable nests was 56.9 days with an average nest size of 102.3 eggs.

Although there was a large increase in the number of nests laid, there were a total of 66 nests lost to water inundation caused by tidal surge from Hurricane Hermine and other storm events.  An additional 4 nests were lost to predation. That still does not overshadow the tremendous success of this exceptional nesting season.

Be Sea Turtle Friendly–Tips from Share the Beach

Please do your part to help our little friends.

Winter Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Vacation Homes for Less!

Looking for a great place to stay warm for the winter of 2017-2018? Look no further! We own a wonderful collection of homes and are happy to share them with you. And since you are looking for a longer term stay, which means less turnover and wear and tear (usually, right? you’ll treat them nice!), we are offering a discount on stays of 30 days or more. Big time savings over weekly rentals and even over our regular winter monthly pricing. From 5 bedrooms to as many as you could possible want!

Featured Winter Vacation Rental Discount

Erica's Sandpiper

Single Level Floor Plan! Up to $2,500+ off/month for Winter 2017!

More info | Contact a Leasing Agent

Are you a snowbird? Or maybe just a big group looking for an extended stay? Or anyone else needing a great place to call their own home during the winter months? We have the perfect place for you.

We even have options for locking out some of the levels of our larger homes and renting them exclusively to you…for less.

Save thousands of dollars on monthly winter stays! As much as $5K+ on long stays in several homes.

We aren’t talking about bird see here. Real discounts for great homes. We love having people stay in our places for the winter. We have folks who have stayed every year for literally decades, and we’d love to have you try us out too, and to make that happen, we are willing to offer a discount on any remaining homes. 

Great rates. Try us starting at $2750/mo… sometimes less!

Nice homes. All the amenities. Lots of variety. We own them all, and we’d want you to have a great time trying one out because we are sure you will be back, year after year!

Rates are as low as $2,750 for a whole month! For a few options, we may even be able to be lower (see “lockout” above, and a few of our smaller places, but they go fast!).

That’s lower than a normal week in some cases! You can even get lower by staying 2 months. How’s $2-3K/month sound? (Only available on multiple month stays). And yes, you can get the rate even if you can only stay say 3 weeks. Its still a better deal than the weekly rate in most cases!

Some of the homes to which this big discount applies include: Shells, Fort Sun, The Pearl, Our Jewels by the Sea: Emerald, Diamond, and Sapphire, Sea Urchin, and more.

You can only get these deals by contacting us directly, either call, email, or use our form. Mention code: “GoLong”–though everyone knows about the deals so if you can’t remember the winter discount code, no worries!

Subject to availability, of course (we can’t rent what we don’t have!) and cannot be combined with other offers (already too good of a deal!) or applied to existing rental agreements. The guestimated amounts listed above are rental rates only and don’t include taxes and any fees.

These snow birds are escaping winter. Will you catch the winter discount on our great vacation homes in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach?

Always nice when a national organization calls Gulf Shores, our vacation home away from home, “One of the most beautiful collegiate sporting venues. Ever.”

Beach volleyball is relatively new. In fact, this is the inaugural year for the national championships. And, they are being held right in our own backyard in Gulf Shores on May 6-8th. If you happen to be around, stop by and check them out. Other than catching them on summer olympics coverage, or if you happen to have a daughter (or son) who plays, you likely have never seen competitive beach volleyball in person, so this is a great opportunity.

Plus, they seem to love Gulf Shores. Here’s what the NCAA press release had to say:

Beach Volleyball Vacation Home?

The Pearl East & West

Accommodates up to 28 or rent both sides for up to 56

More info | Contact a Leasing Agent

An aesthetic benefit of beach volleyball is, well, the beach. The inaugural beach volleyball championship is being played on the white sand beaches of Gulf Shores, Ala., and this gulf coast destination is one of, if not the most, beautiful place an NCAA sporting event has been held.

“It is beautiful. The wind’s not too bad. It’s sunny; it’s wonderful,” said FSU’s Hailey Luke. “It’s kinda perfect.”

Earning a trip to the “Redneck Rivera” must seem like a second spring break for the student-athletes, with the added bonus of possibly returning to campus with a trophy. But, getting to compete at such a picturesque locale is a victory in itself.

“You can’t beat the venue,” McPeak said. “You’ve got white sand and blue skies.”

Read more about 5 things to watch from Gulf Shores including that its truly history in the making.

Where can I watch the NCAA Beach Volleyball National Championships?

Well, unless you happen to be nearby and can shoot over and stay in one of our open vacation homes this weekend (because, well, why not!), then you can catch the inaugural championship on tv. It

will be held Friday through Sunday, May 6-8, from Gulf Shores, Ala.  Turner networks will televise the event, with truTV providing live coverage on Friday, May 6, and Saturday, May 7, from 3-6 p.m. ET and the championship round airing on TBS on Sunday, May 8, at 2 p.m.

Where can I play volleyball during my Gulf Shores vacation?

You can play at the Gulf Shores public beach. If you happen to be at one of our Orange Beach locations, like the Jewels by the Sea (and who wouldn’t want to stay at these very nice, upscale, fully decked out accommodations?), you might try Gulf State Park Romar Beach or Gulf State Park Cotton Bayou.

Gulf Shores Main Public Beach
If you’re looking for volleyball-playing, beach-bar-hanging good times, this spot – where Highway 59 dead-ends into the Gulf – is for you. For a small fee, you get all-day, up-close parking, making it easy to unload your gear. Beach attendants, three open-air pavilions and a picnic area are available. There are also restrooms and showers on site. This is a popular spot, so you may want to arrive early to get a prime parking spot.

Cotton Bayou Beach
This public beach area is located 5.1 miles east of Alabama Highway 59 and .2 mile west of Ala Highway 161. The Cotton Bayou beach access area has restrooms, outdoor showers and free parking. The beach is a short walk from the parking lot.

Romar Beach
This beach area – with a limited amount of free parking – is easy to get to. It’s perfect for a quick beach stroll or an impromptu picnic. It’s located 6.8 miles east of Highway 59. Future plans call for restrooms and outdoor showers, but currently there aren’t any.

Not in the mood to share the volleyball court? Why not rent your own….

Rent a volleyball setup when staying in a Gulf Shores vacation home?

You bet! There are several local rental companies that specialize in providing everything you might need to complete your already awesome Orange Beach or Orange Beach vacation house stay. You can rent volleyball posts, nets, and balls.

Several of the companies will even come to right to your Gulf Shores vacation home and set the nets up using nice sturdy posts. Add something different this time you visit Gulf Shores, Alabama with a little family playtime on the beach. Set up, tear down, not your problem. Family fun? Definitely! While we don’t recommend a particular vendor, a quick web search should give you plenty of choices.

Want to get in on the beach volleyball action in Gulf Shores? You can catch the championships live or did you know you can rent your own volleyball setup for your Gulf Shores vacation home?

Alcohol on the beach from March 1-April 17? $500 fine and/or up to 6 months in jail

On March 18, 2016, during a special council meeting, the Gulf Shores City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance to prohibit the possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages along the entire Gulf beaches in the City of Gulf Shores corporate limits. The ban on alcohol is in effect from March 1st through April 17th.

“The city has a responsibility to protect the health, safety and welfare of our residents and visitors and an obligation to protect the reputation of the city as a family-friendly destination,” Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft said during the meeting. Craft went on to say, “In order to keep spring break in Gulf Shores a safe environment, it is time we take action.”

This new ban prohibits any person to possess or consume any alcoholic beverage on any portion of the beach south of the protected sand dunes within the Gulf Shores city limits from the west end of Gulf State Park Beach to the very end of West Beach.  During the spring break season, college-aged visitors are drawn in large numbers to beach destinations, and the city finds that the prolonged consumption of alcohol this year is directly associated with undesirable behavior and an increased risk to public safety.

“Gulf Shores has long been known as a favorite beach destination for families from across the Southeast and Midwest,” added Mayor Craft. “In recent years, we have seen an increase in students coming here for spring break, and we again want to reiterate that we are a family- friendly destination that welcomes visitors of all ages to enjoy our beaches and destination responsibly. We as city leaders have an obligation to do whatever is necessary to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for our citizens and our visitors and to protect our beaches.”

Any person in violation of this Ordinance shall be guilty of an offense, punishable by up to $500 and/or up to 6 months in jail.

For more information visit www.gulfshoresal.gov or read pdf of the full ordinance.

Be safe. Be careful. Have a great time!

Leave Only Footprints: We all love the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach beaches. The Leave Only Footprints initiative seeks to keep them the way we love them!

The Leave Only Footprints initiative: Gulf Shores and Orange Beach enact new ordinances and kick off a public relations campaign to keep the beaches clean and safe, not only for us, but for sea turtles and other wildlife as well. What’s Leave Only Footprints all about?

Keeping the Orange Beach & Orange Beach beaches clean

You love vacationing in Lower Alabama, and one of the things you probably love most about it (aside from the food, golf, shopping…) is the very nice beaches, some of the nicest beaches, with the best sand, in the country.

Leave No Trace. Well, Leave Only Footprints!

Personal Items Must Be Removed One Hour After Sunset

You probably have seen old chairs, umbrellas, or other items that seem to have been planted as permanent fixtures on the beach. Maybe someone left them out just for their trip or maybe they’ve been there for what seems like years–destined to get beat up and drawn out to sea, bobbing in the Gulf, and marring the coastline.

Effective in 2016, the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach ask that you please remove all your personal items from the beach one hour after sunset. All abandoned items will be removed for the protection of our beaches, local wildlife, and the many visitors we want to enjoy our clean coast for generations to come.

Avoid walking on any beach vegetation.

Plant roots hold together the fragile dunes. Sea Oats form and stabilize the sand dunes that both protect our beaches from erosion and add to Gulf Shores’ beauty. Looking at the Gulf is pretty awesome, but seeing the Gulf framed by peaks and valleys in the dunes simply gorgeous.

Sea Oats’ roots go an amazingly long way down to do this job, but they can’t stand up to kids and adults running all over them. No strong roots = no dunes. And that’s just not good for any of us.

So while it may be fun to catch a frisbee, throw a football, or dig in the dunes, its very harmful to the ecology. So please help us keep the vegetation strong so that it can help us keep coming back to the same beautiful beaches at our beach vacation homes year after year.

Explore away from bird nesting areas.

Nests may be located in the ground and camouflaged to resemble the surrounding environment, so please watch your step! While your are it, keep an eye out for bird nesting areas as well as for Sea Turtle nesting areas. They can be hard to spot, and these are definitely places where you don’t want to even leave footprints.

Staying on paths in hiking areas, and on paths between dunes (or better yet, using walkovers when there is one nearby) is the best way to avoid these fragile areas.

And Leave Nature in Its Place

Keep the natural ecosystem intact by avoiding the removal of shells, driftwood or other items you may find during your island explorations. The smallest bit of driftwood may be home to native species.

Plants are a key part of the ecosystem, so we already know not to dig around them or walk or run on them, but we definitely shouldn’t dig them up. Digging up plants is even specifically proscribed by the Orange Beach ordinance–plus you shouldn’t plant anything (unless its on the prescribed list).

Quick Fact: Proscribed = shouldn’t be done. Prescribed = Should be done. 🙂

Leave Only Footprints, but definitely leave lots of footprints!

Consider the best type of transportation to see the island: your feet! Walking is not only a great form of exercise, but it’s an eco-friendly way to experience the Alabama Gulf Coast.

But not Fido or Fifi’s footprints. Dogs (and other domestic animals) are not allowed on either the Orange Beach or the Gulf Shores beaches, ever. Yes, people do it; no, they shouldn’t be, even on leash; and yes it will merit a fine if your caught doing it. Sure, its fun to run with the big guy, but dogs simply do not belong on the beach. No only do they sometimes leave a little something behind, but they disrupt sea turtle nests (we may have trouble finding these, dogs do not) and other wildlife, plus though we love our dogs (and I have them too, and would love to take them on the beach), not everyone does, and everyone should be able to enjoy their Gulf Shores vacation.

Where to learn more about the Leave Only Footprints initiative

If you like dry original source materials, and come on you know you do, right?, then you can read the full language of the ordinances as they were passed in Gulf Shores and in Orange Beach. The Gulf Shores ordinance is mostly about the removal of your stuff whereas the Orange Beach ordinance covers a much wider range of activities, from no pets, to what you can plant, all of which are great reminders of good practices we should all be doing anyway, right?

Much of the Leave Only Footprints initiative, and the underlying ordinances, follow the 7 basic principles of Leave No Trace, including Leave What You Find, Be Considerate of Other Visitors, and Respect Wildlife, which are things we can all live with.

Plus, come on, sea turtles are awesome!  So let’s all Share the Beach.

You can also follow the Leave Only Footprints, on Facebook.

Leave Only Footprints in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama. Or the occasional smiley face in the sand (two smiley faces if you count the one you can’t see on the young girl vacationing in this image). (c) ongulfshores.com

Orange Beach ‘Jewels’ Vacation Homes Go Live: Check out the latest pictures from our newest Gulf Shores homes

Hot off the presses. It’s hard to get into our latest Gulf Shores vacation homes to take pictures. Why? Because they have been booked solid with families and friends looking for the perfect place for their Gulf Shores vacation! Right on the beach. Big. Beautiful. Everything you could ask for, including a first level pool–that’s right, the decks and pool are right off the main living space!

Here are a few of the new pictures. We haven’t gotten them onto the Diamond, Emerald, and Sapphire pages yet, but wanted to share some pics of these great new Orange Beach, Alabama vacation homes. Oh, and the great Gulf Shores weather and beach scenery too!

Awesome above grade private pool at the Diamond, a Gulf Shores vacation home located in the Cottages at Romar, Orange Beach, Alabama. This is in addition to a zero-entry community pool.

Private pool, from your covered and uncovered private deck areas, at the Emerald and Sapphire. Two brand new (2015) Gulf Shores vacation homes at the Cottages at Romar in Orange Beach, Alabama.

Dune walkover, private to the three Jewels by the Sea, brings you directly to Gulf Shores’ famous sugary sand beaches.

Relax on the white sands right outside your perfect vacation home in Gulf Shores. Left to right, those are Diamond, Emerald, and Sapphire in the background.

Main floor eating area in the Diamond. Everyone can see the Gulf, the beach, and the pool, while eating in luxury.

Most floors of these great vacation homes have their own living spaces, so people can spread out and relax. This secondary floor living room is more spacious and tricked out than many vacation homes’ main living spaces!

Master bedrooms right of the beach? You bet! Some even have their own wet bars and ice makers in the room.

And let’s not forget the extra rooms. Some homes use queen sleeper sofas to get to there sleeping capacities, others use single bunks that really only work for individuals or for kids, but the Jewels have combo full-single bunks in several rooms. 2 people can sleep in the fulls with one above. Sleeping anywhere from a single couple to two couples, and two kids, to a bunch of rugrats in their own space.

More images are available on the Diamond, Emerald, and Sapphire vacation home pages. More will come soon, including walkthrough video and some drone shots!

Thanks again for checking out our great vacation homes. From my family to yours, we wish you the best vacation ever!

Rick

Too much turkey? Run it off in the Kaiser Half Marathon and 5K, Nov 29 at the Wharf

Hey, here’s an excuse to eat even more food while on Thanksgiving vacation in Gulf Shores, Alabama: Sign up for a run. Heck, even if you don’t run it, you’ll have an excuse for eating that extra piece of pie!

Learn more and register for the Thanksgiving Weekend Kaiser Half Marathon or 5K runs at Team Magic.

Saturday, November 29th

Where is the Orange Beach / Gulf Shores Kaiser Half Marathon and 5K run?

All Race Day activities take place at the race site at the Orange Beach Sports Complex, by the Wharf, on Canal Road
*There will be registration on race day, however, this does not guarantee there will be a spot or that you will receive a shirt. 

What’s the Schedule for the Thanksgiving Gulf Shores Half Marathon and 5K?

6:30 AM – 7:30 AM:  Packet Pick Up and Late Registration OPEN
8:00 AM:  Half Marathon and 5k Runs Start
8:05 AM:  One Mile Fun Run Starts
9:30 AM:  5k Award Ceremony: begins with prize drawings and ends with prize drawings! Be sure to stick around.
11:00 AM:  Half Marathon Award Ceremony: begins with prize drawings and ends with prize drawings! Be sure to stick around.
12:00 PM:  All Half Marathon entrants must have completed the course. This requires a pace of about 18 minutes per mile for walkers.

Eat even more after the Gulf Shores / Orange Beach Half Marathon or 5K race!

Post Race Food
Enjoy a great post race party with plenty of food and drinks – Gulf Coast style!

We are so excited to have one of the premier restaurants in the area catering our post-race food. In addition to fruit and Krispy Kreme Donuts, check out Cosmo’s menu for race day: Crab Cake Sliders, Shrimp and Grits, Turkey & Sausage Gumbo, Pasta Salad and Muffaletta Sandwiches

Post Race Drinks

Of course there will be drinks to knock down the great food!

There will be plenty of water and sodas thanks to the local Publix store plus Gatorade Endurance to quench your thirst. For those of legal drinking age, meet our newest sponsor, Rammer Jammer Beer Company. They will be serving responsibly to those interested and 21 or over.

Artist’s Christmas and Santa Breakfast added to Orange Beach & Gulf Shores Holiday Happenings Schedule

Dec 9, Christmas with the Nelsons

Gulf Shores continues its holiday celebration at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9 at the Erie H. Meyer Civic Center as multi-platinum recording artists Matthew and Gunnar Nelson present Christmas with the Nelsons. This family affair tells the story of three family Christmases in the lives of America’s Favorite Family – The Nelsons. Matthew and Gunnar deliver Christmas classics the Nelson Family way by interweaving quick humor, soaring vocals, and state of the art big screen video to take you on a sleigh ride through time.

Definitely consider adding this one to your Gulf Shores Holiday Happenings. Free tickets for the show are available at the Activity Center box office on a first come, first serve basis. The box office is located at 260 Clubhouse Drive and office hours are Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Dec 20, Breakfast with Santa

Youngsters will have one last minute chance to visit with Santa on Saturday, December 20 as Gulf Shores hosts Breakfast with Santa at the Erie H. Meyer Civic Center. Beginning at 8 a.m., families can dive into a wholesome breakfast complete with sausage, bacon, eggs and pancakes before having pictures taken with Santa. Admission for Breakfast with Santa is $5.00, while children 3 and under are free.

For more information about any of the City of Gulf Shores holiday events, contact the Special
Events Division at 251-968-1172.

gulfshoresal.gov

Looking for More Gulf Shores Holiday Happenings? And if you need a place to stay during the holidays, you don’t want to miss our great family-friendly, relaxing houses, right on the beach in both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach!

Orange Beach and Gulf Shores Holiday Things to Do

What to do over the holidays? Go to the beach of course! And what are some Christmas things to do in Gulf Shores? Quite a lot.

Christmas with Aaron Neville, December 3

Featured Vacation Rental

Erica's Sandpiper

Accommodates up to 24 in a single level floor plan!

More info | Contact a Leasing Agent

How about starting with a little mood music from Aaron Neville? You can do that at the Wharl on December 3, 2014. Orange Beach Events Center at The Wharf, 4671 Wharf Parkway, Orange Beach, AL 36561 The Coastal Alabama Business Chamber on Tuesday announced a December concert by R&B and soul singer Aaron Neville that will be part of this year’s Coastal Christmas holiday events schedule. Todd Edwards, who is heading up the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber’s holiday programs, said the event, “Christmas with Aaron Neville — A Coastal Christmas Concert,” will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the Orange Beach Event Center at The Wharf. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. “We’re excited,” Edwards said at the Orange Beach City Council’s meeting on Tuesday. “Coastal Christmas is special to us. It’s an entire season from Thanksgiving till after New Years, so we’re fired up for what it means to the city of Orange Beach and to our cities here. We’re excited about the kick off to it and a lot of special events.” Tickets for the Neville concert go on sale Thursday and will be available at https://coastalchristmasconcert.eventbrite.com. Premium seating is $100 and general admission is $50.

Christmas Parade & Lighting of the Beach, December 5

Or maybe a traditional parade is more your style?! The Gulf Shores parade and lighting of the beach is great one of the Christmas things to do in Gulf Shores & Orange BeachThe 5th Annual City of Gulf Shores Christmas Parade will be held on the First Friday of December. The parade will start at Club House Dr. on Hwy. 59, head south, and end at the Gulf Shores Public Beach. At the end of the parade, they have the lighting of the beach ceremony.

The parade will start at 6:30pm.

Christmas Lighted Boat Parade, December 13

Another one of the fun Christmas things to do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach is the Annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parade (in its 29th year!). The boat parade will be held on Saturday, December 13th at 5:30 pm beginning at LuLu’s at Homeport Marina. So have some shrimp, fried crab claws, or mani tacos, then watch them set sail!

The parade will travel east down the Intracoastal Waterway Canal, pass The Wharf (public viewing area), around Bear Point, along the south end of Ono Island, west to Perdido Pass, north into Terry Cove Harbor, south to bridge, and end in Orange Beach. The estimated time of completion is 8:00 p.m.

Another Jingle Jangle Christmas Things to Do in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach? Stay with us of course!

If you need a place to stay for any of these great events, we have some great deals on many of our awesome beach vacation houses. Check them out and let us know what you need.

Hope to see you out and about and on the beaches soon!