Best Time to Visit Orange Beach: Orange Beach is a small resort city in Baldwin County, Alabama. Famous for its long, sugar-white sand beaches and emerald waters, the city attracts millions of visitors each year, and is one of Alabama’s most popular tourist destinations, along with Gulf Shores.
Whether you prefer to relax on the beach, swim in the refreshing gulf waters, fish, jetski, boogie board, boat, or partake in any other water sport activity you can imagine, Gulf Shores is the place to be. And off the beach, the city has plenty of great restaurants, bars, shopping centers, and more, to keep visitors entertained for their entire trip.
But if you are planning a vacation to Orange Beach, what time of year should you go? Is summer the best time to visit or does it get too crowded? Should you skip March to avoid the spring break crowds? Is the weather nice enough to make a trip in the winter worth it? What about in the fall? Here is what you need to know about the best time to visit Orange Beach.
When is the Peak Season at Orange Beach?
Orange Beach’s peak season lasts from June to the end of August. These hot summer months are when the most visitors flock to the city, to cool off in the gulf waters, sunbathe on the warm white sands, and enjoy the nightlife and restaurants. During these months, there is no better way to cool off and make the most of your summer vacation than a trip to Orange Beach.
However, with summer comes plenty of crowds and noise, and between the increasingly expensive rentals and hotel rooms, lack of available parking, and lines at the bars and restaurants, it can be difficult to make the most of an Orange Beach trip.
If you don’t mind the crowds, noise, and activity, then June, July, and August can be great months to visit Orange Beach. However, if you are like most vacationers, you probably prefer to avoid the crowds and make the most of your vacation in a quieter, less expensive, and less crowded environment. If this is the case for you, summer is not the best time to visit Orange Beach. So when is?
When is the Low Season at Orange Beach?
Orange Beach’s low season stretches from December to February, which is when temperatures in the area drop to as low as the low 40s, and rarely get higher than the low 60s. The ocean water during this time cools off significantly, and becomes largely unswimmable. That being said, there are some upsides to visiting Orange Beach in the winter. Crowds are sparse, and the beaches remain open, and are great for walking, running, or fishing. Prices are also much lower, and it is easier to find beachfront rentals, cheaper hotels, and great parking.
There is also plenty to do in Orange Beach during the winter, even if swimming is off the table. Sunset cruises, golf, local amusement parks and mini golf courses, and hiking at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, are all popular during the winter.
That being said, winter is, generally speaking, not the best time to visit Orange Beach. Although there is plenty to do, it is no secret that the city’s biggest attraction is, as the name implies, the beach. Vacations to Orange Beach want good beach weather, lower prices, sparse crowds, and more to do.
When is the Best Time to Visit Orange Beach?
The best time to visit Orange Beach is in April and May, and then again in September through November. These are the months when the weather is still warm, but the crowds are significantly smaller than during the peak summer months.
April and May
April and May are an excellent time to visit Orange Beach. These months coincide with a lull in activity in the city between Spring Break and the start of peak season, which kicks off in earnest at the beginning of June.
Temperatures in April and May start in the high 60s – low 70s, and reach the mid 80s by the end of May. The gulf waters can still be cold at the start of April, but by May they have warmed up significantly, and you can find plenty of people swimming in the Orange Beach waters in either month. April also has the lowest average precipitation of any month, meaning chances are you’ll get blue skies and beautiful weather if you visit during that month.
Popular annual events that take place in April and May include:
Flora-Bamma Annual Mullet Swing Golf Tournament – Held each year in late April, the Mullet Swing Golf Tournament is a great golf event that raises money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Annual Bama Coast Cruisin’ Car Show – A free-admission car show held at the end of April each year.
Hangout Music Festival – Held in May, the Hangout Music Festival is a great way to kick off the summer. Headlined by Post Malone, Tame Impala, and Halsey in 2022, the festival is a can’t miss event in the Orange Beach area.
September through November
September, October, and November are great months to visit Orange Beach. During this time of the year, precipitation is lower than in the summer, and temperatures start in the high 80s in early September, going to the low 70s by the end of November. Similarly, temperatures start in the mid 80s, before going down to around 70 by the end of November. This is warmer than in April and May, making the autumn months possibly a better time to visit than spring for those who plan on spending most of their time in the water.
Popular events that take place in the fall in Orange Beach include:
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Shrimp Festival – An annual food festival that features over 50 local and regional vendors serving shrimp dishes, crab cakes, lobster, and other great food. The festival also features live music, games, and contests.
Bulls On The Beach – 10 minutes away from Orange Beach, in Perdido Key, Florida, the annual Bulls on the Beach rodeo event is fun for the whole family.
Brett Robinson Alabama Coastal Triathlon – An annual triathlon held each year in Orange Beach.
Where are the Best Places to Stay in Orange Beach?
Perdido Beach Resort: A luxury 4-star resort located right on the beach, overlooking Orange Beach’s white sands and turquoise gulf waters. With multiple restaurants and pools, a tennis court, gym, bar, and a private beach, Perdido Beach Resort is the perfect place to spend your Orange Beach vacation.
Hampton Inn & Suites Orange Beach/Gulf Front: A beachfront resort in an unbeatable location, the Hampton Inn & Suites Orange Beach/Gulf Front is the perfect place to soak up the sun and relax on the beach or by the pool. Amenities include direct beach access, an outdoor pool, a gym, and easy access to some of the best shopping, golf, and boating and cycling areas in Orange Beach.
Island House Hotel Orange Beach – a DoubleTree by Hilton: Beachfront suites with balconies overlooking the Gulf of Mexico are one of the Island House Hotel’s defining features. Located right on the beach, this hotel is unbeatable in terms of beautiful views, and access to some of Orange Beach’s main attractions, including The Wharf and the Gulf State Park.
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