If you’re looking for a great beach to relax on in Alabama, you’ll want to check out the top 12 beaches based on ratings and reviews. These beaches offer stunning views, plenty of activities, and ample opportunities to soak up the sun. So whether you’re looking for a secluded spot or a busy beach with something for everyone, you’ll find what you need here. Check out these world-class beaches today!
Best Beach in Alabama
Gulf State Park
- Address: 20115 State Park Rd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (9573)
- Phone: +1 251-948-7275
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: Open 24 hoursTuesday: Open 24 hoursWednesday: Open 24 hoursThursday: Open 24 hoursFriday: Open 24 hoursSaturday: Open 24 hoursSunday: Open 24 hours
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Top 12 Most Beautiful Beaches in Alabama
Gulf Shores Public Beach
- Address: 101 Gulf Shores Pkwy, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (9518)
- Phone: +1 251-968-2040
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: Open 24 hoursTuesday: Open 24 hoursWednesday: Open 24 hoursThursday: Open 24 hoursFriday: Open 24 hoursSaturday: Open 24 hoursSunday: Open 24 hours
- Reviews:
This is the best public beach I have ever been to! Convenient public parking across the street, easy access bathroom and showers which include foot wash shower heads. The sand is immaculate, one would think it is sifted daily. The texture of the sand feels like brown sugar. There is a children’s play area with a sun shade.By Bridget Smith (9 months ago)We visited for spring break and delighted to see that it was not crowded like we anticipated. The weather was 75-80⁰ during the day and 60⁰at night. It was warm enough for shorts and t- shirt daily then a light jacket at night. The Gulf was cool but enjoyable after warming up in the sun. The water had small waves that my 8 and 9 yr old girls had a blast with! Plenty of eateries close by to walk straight from the beach to a bite to eat! It is fun for all ages!By Tessa Wilson (8 months ago)This beach is beautiful, born and raised in California. Those beaches are very sad lived in Hawaii, and this beach is right up there with that one. I absolutely loved it and enjoyed walking on the beach with my husband and collecting shells beautiful day 🥰✌🏻 highly recommend Mikey’s seafood Very good. 😋🍻🥰By Gayle Arellano (2 weeks ago)The beach is one of the cleanest beaches with soft sand. Easy parking access to the public beaches. Spending the day here is a must with not so crowded and plenty of space to enjoy even during peak season. We stayed at a RV park 6 miles down the road and have planned our next visit.By Time dreamer (6 months ago)Beautiful clean white sandy beach. Not as many sea shells as Cotton Bayou but how am I supposed to know what a reasonable amount of shells one should expect at any beach. What I’m trying to say is this was a nice beach and we had lots of fun spending the day building sand castles and running into the waves. I’m certain you will too!By Harrison Staab (Harry) (11 months ago)
Johnson Beach National Seashore
- Address: 133333 Johnson Beach Rd, Pensacola, FL 32507, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (1319)
- Phone: +1 850-934-2600
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PMTuesday: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PMWednesday: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PMThursday: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PMFriday: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PMSaturday: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PMSunday: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Reviews:
What an amazing place! After paying the fee, we drove to the very end of the National Seashore, stopping in the designated parking area to watch an amazing sunset. The sand dunes are covered in beautiful sea oats. The waves met the sky in an amazing painting of the most beautiful landscape. Definitely going again, maybe tomorrow!By Tom Mullen (3 months ago)I am so glad that I decided to stop here! The beach was beautiful and not crowded. There were probably fewer than 50 people in the park when I visited. I would recommend buying the seven day pass if you’re going to be in the area. Also, make sure you drive the full length of the seashore and check out the views. I would definitely visit this location again.By Amy Justine (8 months ago)I live about an hour away, in Alabama, and this is my favorite local beach area to visit! Great views, less crowded, just the best. We have been annual pass holders for two or three years now & plan to continue renewing every year. I shouldn’t be giving away all the best local secrets, but there you have it.By Amber Clark (5 months ago)Beautiful beach! Clean, well taken care of and clean restrooms. All the visitors clean up after themselves here. A one to seven day pass is $25. They have a nice pavilion and plenty of space to build sandcastles.By Linnea Anderson (9 months ago)Johnson Beach is always just right. The water was clear and warm. It was not crowded at all. It’s also close to a few stores and lots of restaurants. This is our go to beach when we visit Pensacola, and it earns that title every time. 🏖♥️🏖♥️By Willdra (5 months ago)
Gulf State Park Pavillion
- Address: 22250 E Beach Blvd, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (1141)
- Phone: +1 251-948-7275 ext. 92099
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PMTuesday: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PMWednesday: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PMThursday: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PMFriday: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PMSaturday: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PMSunday: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Reviews:
We got lunch and decided to stop to eat which turned into walking out to the beach for a couple hours. I’m glad we did! The day after a storm brought lots of cool shells we were able to rummage through. Turns out the seagulls are tricksters who may try to steal your flip flop but they won’t get very far with it but it’s a funny site to see! They sure do like to eat so guard your sandwich!By Anthony DePaolo (a month ago)Overcast winter day at the beach. We had the whole beach and parking area to ourselves. You need to pay for parking. However, if you are staying at Gulf State Park Campground, the parking fee is included in your daily pass. They have lots of stuff to do and a beach snack bar open during summer/spring/fall. Would be a great place to take family of all ages. Beach is clean . Beautiful white sand and aqua.By Berteena G (11 months ago)Quick beach trip to walk the beach and allow granddaughter time to play in waves. The comfort of an old friend never disappoints. Earliest memories is of at this exact spot loving the beach and waves. Nothing has changed but it has only gotten better. Clean showers. Private changing rooms and upkeep on boardwalks the best. Self paid parking and even participation in a impromptu wedding. GO. Take the kids,. Picking area covered and breezy…walkways sturdy and safe. Ocean view priceless.By Veronica Hill (3 months ago)Absolutely beautiful beach, if you’d like to dip your toes in the ocean this is a great place to do it.
We’ll maintained parking lots, no litter to be seen. Same goes for the beach and paths.
Nothing to say about concession stand as they were closed during my visit, cocktails are expensive was what I noticed looking at the menu board.
Only point against the place is their bathroom maintenance, I wasn’t able to tell the difference between urine and ocean water near toilets and urinals. Take flip flops to the shower rooms, you won’t regret that decision. The last entry on the cleaning log was 8/23 and I visited on 4/25 this year.
By Lukas Belmore (7 months ago)Awesome relaxing spot to spend and hour two or the whole day!
Pavillion offers restrooms and covered seating with beach views.
Boardwalk offers outside shower for sand removal!
There is beach seats & umbrellas available for rental.
Oversized shaded porch swings to sit, relax and feel the ocean breeze!By Ginger Ginger (7 months ago)Cotton Bayou Public Beach Access
- Address: 25900 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (938)
- Phone: +1 251-948-7275
- Website: Link
- Opening hours:
Monday: Open 24 hoursTuesday: Open 24 hoursWednesday: Open 24 hoursThursday: Open 24 hoursFriday: Open 24 hoursSaturday: Open 24 hoursSunday: Open 24 hours
- Reviews:
The Beach access parking was easy to get to and not too crowded. The bathrooms were very clean. There is not a shower inside the bathroom though, just outside but that was ok and the water was cool and refreshing after being on the beach and hauling everything back to the car.By Holly Gutierrez (6 months ago)The bathroom was so gross. None of the doors shut or lock. At least there was toilet paper. The shower area is a shower head on a pole outside. These are just to rinse off. Not to bathe type of showers. The beach part was fine and had life guards. There were tons of sand fleas or gnats. The water was nice though. Oh and they have food trucks for snacks.By Angela Barker (5 months ago)Very windy today but the waves were something special to watch.
They started charging to park at this beach starting this year (2021). But I guess someone has to pay for the good bathroom facilities they have and the life guards they have on duty.
During the Off season they don’t keep the beaches as swept and as clean as they do during the peak times. Still a beautiful beach to visit!By Billy Meyer (a year ago)My new favorite beach on the gulf. Beautiful waters that aren’t quite as blue as Pensacola but are beautiful all the same. Nice waves, amazing sand and it wasn’t near as crowded and difficult to navigate due to business as places like Pensacola. Will be coming as often as I can from ponchatoula LA.By Michael Lewis (6 months ago)This beach doesn’t have the strict tent regulations like the public Beaches do. You can set your tent up anywhere on the shore. There were also less people so, it wasn’t as crowded. You still have to pay for parking and it was a somewhat longer walk if you have any coolers or equipment to pack along.By Rebekah Janicke (4 months ago)Dauphin Island East End Public Beach
- Address: Dauphin Island East End Public Beach, Fort Gaines, 51 Bienville Blvd, Dauphin Island, AL 36528, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (908)
Johnson’s Beach, Gulf Islands National Seashore
- Address: Johnson’s Beach, Gulf Islands National Seashore, 13300 Johnson Beach Rd, Pensacola, FL 32507, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.8 (615)
Orange Beach Waterfront Park
- Address: 26425 Canal Rd, Orange Beach, AL 36561, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (513)
Perdido Key Beach
- Address: Perdido Key Beach, 14202 Perdido Key Dr, Pensacola, FL 32507, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (314)
Alabama Point East
- Address: Alabama Point East, Caribe Rd, Orange Beach, AL 36561, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (292)
Alabama Point East
- Address: 28105 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, AL 36561, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (110)
Fairhope Beach Pavilion
- Address: 4 N Beach Rd, Fairhope, AL 36532, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.7 (64)
Dauphin Island Beach
- Address: 109 Bienville Blvd, Dauphin Island, AL 36528, United States
- Map: Click here
- Rating: 4.6 (51)
Most beautiful beach in Alabama That’s it for our list of the best beaches in Alabama! If you have any arguments or additional information, please leave a comment. We love to hear from our readers. And don’t forget to check out some of the other posts on our blog for more travel inspiration. Happy beachcombing!
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Heard this was a great place to camp, it was beyond what was expected. We had full hookups. We will be back. Our campsite was #14 and was perfect. Lots of trails and paths for bikes, walking and golf carts. The campgrounds are close to the beach and everything else that GULF Shores has to offer. Well worth the time we spent there. We had heard about the alligator sightings but we never came across one. Our 1st evening and we had a flyover by the Blue Angels…awesome!
We think this is a great State Park, big spacious lots, we were in 255 which was a lake view very nice. The staff in the office were all very nice and make the check-in a very easy process.
We loved the bike share, the miles and miles of trails are great and easy to ride on.
With your park pass you can park and get on the pier for free, just take a picture of your pass to show the attendant. There is a path also that goes over the road and onto the beach which is nice. The bathhouses were really nice and the showers were good, we did notice a few of them around the park were closed due to repairs. In bathhouse 9 it wasn’t cleaned on the men’s side for a few days, I would think they would be cleaned daily. Another suggestion is have one of the bike share locations inside the park so you don’t have to drive to get to the bikes. If in the area again we would for sure visit this park again.
We visited Ft. Morgan , if in the area this is so worth the short drive to get there.
Thank you
PJV
What a wonderful park! Beautiful views and trails to bike or walk. And the lakes are so picturesque. Free bike share app is available & the boardwalk trails through the marsh areas are amazing. And of course then there’s the beach! You only have to pay for parking. It’s also very dog friendly. We’re going to bring our golden next time for the dog park/beach on the lake.
This is my favorite place to camp. The majority of the sites are nice and big and there are nice trails throughout the park including directly to the beach. You also get a pass that allows you to park free at the pavilion for additional beach access. It’s beautiful and well kept with easy access to a ton of restaurants and shopping including the Tanger outlets. We liked it so much we booked two additional stays while we were still there.
I absolutely love Gulf State Park. My husband and I bike the many trails several days a week. The views are incredible. The beach pavilion and pier are great places to visit. The park offers many other things to do including an educational center, playground, dog park, and much more. I highly recommend visiting.