88°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
35%
48
Baldwin County, AL · Gulf of Mexico
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
12295 State Hwy 180, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
7,000-acre coastal refuge protecting some of Alabama's last undisturbed barrier-island habitat. Pine Beach Trail leads roughly two miles through pine-oak woodlands and dunes to a quiet stretch of Gulf shoreline favored by sea turtles and migrating birds. No facilities at the beach itself — pack in, pack out.
Today's Conditions
Great day for sunbathing.
Thunderstorms · 84°F water · 88°F air
Full NWS forecast for Today
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tonight
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 79. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Weather
- 88°F air — ideal beach weather
- 35% rain — pop-up showers possible
Water
- 84°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
43 /100
ok
39 Swim
72 Sunbathe
37 Walk
34 Photo
Best for sunbathing today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
88°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind
5 mph
SW
Rain
35%
Today
Tomorrow
89°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Water
Water Temp
84°F
Swimming weather
Next Low Tide
7:07 PM
-0.1 ft · in 4.3h
Barometer
30.09 inHg
1019 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
10 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 6mo ago
Rip Current Risk · Regional Reference
No zone-specific NWS forecast for this beach (ALZ266)
The MOB office's Surf Zone Forecast doesn't cover this beach's forecast zone directly. Nearby coastal zones it does cover are listed below — regional reference only, not a substitute for the conditions at this specific beach.
- ALZ265 Mobile Coastal-Baldwin Coastal — Dauphin Island, Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, n/a
- FLZ202 Escambia Coastal-Santa Rosa Coastal-Okaloosa Coastal — Pensacola Beach, Gulf Breeze, Navarre Beach, n/a
Sun & Moon
Sunrise
6:51 AM
Sunset
8:56 PM
Moon · 80%
Waxing Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 7:31 AM | High | 1.4 ft |
| 7:07 PM | Low | -0.1 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
89°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
19%
44
89°
Sunny
2%
76
89°
Sunny
1%
77
91°
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
16%
45
91°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
42%
26
91°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
25%
38
What to Bring Today
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 84°F
- optional Light cover-up, watch for pop-ups 35% rain chance
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 88°F - heat risk
- recommended Cooling towel or hat sustained heat
Always remember water bottle, trash bag (leave no trace).
Beach Info
Parking
Free trailhead lots at the Pine Beach and Jeff Friend trailheads on State Hwy 180.
Dogs
No pets permitted anywhere on the refuge; certified service animals only.
Entry Fee
Free
Address
12295 State Hwy 180, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Amenities
7-Day Tide Chart →
Full high/low predictions for the next week at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge.
7-Day Weather →
Extended forecast for Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge from the National Weather Service.
Frequently Asked
Is Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge dog-friendly?
No pets permitted anywhere on the refuge; certified service animals only.
Is there an entry fee at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge?
Entry to Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is free.
Are there lifeguards at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge?
No lifeguards are stationed at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. Swim at your own risk and keep close watch on children.
What amenities are at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge?
Amenities at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge include visitor center, hiking trails, birdwatching.
When is the water warmest at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge?
The Gulf of Mexico is bathwater-warm by mid-summer — 84-88°F is typical from July through September on the FL Gulf, TX coast, and AL/MS coast. Swimming comfortable from April through October on most of the Gulf.
Where is Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge located?
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is in Baldwin County, AL, at 12295 State Hwy 180, Gulf Shores, AL 36542.
Nearby Beaches
Updated · Data from NOAA, NWS