94°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
22%
33
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
Skip the beach today.
Thunderstorms · 86°F water
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 110. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 79. Heat index values as high as 108. North wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Weather
- 94°F air — hot — hydrate and seek shade
- 22% rain — pop-up showers possible
Water
- 86°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- Thunderstorms — stay off the water when storms approach
31 /100
skip
30 Swim
50 Sunbathe
25 Walk
29 Photo
Best for sunbathing today
Atmosphere
Air Temp
94°F
Light Rain
Wind
5 to 10 mph
W
Rain
22%
This Afternoon
Tomorrow
93°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Water
Water Temp
86°F
Swimming weather
Next Low Tide
11:13 PM
0.5 ft · in 2.1h
Wave Height
1.0 ft
5s · SE swell
Barometer
30.00 inHg
1016 hPa
Water Quality
Clean
10 MPN/100mL · Enterococcus
USGS · sampled 7mo 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
7:01 AM
Sunset
8:53 PM
Moon · 18%
Waxing Crescent
Neap tides — smaller range
Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:18 AM | Low | 0.3 ft |
| 1:36 PM | High | 0.9 ft |
| 11:13 PM | Low | 0.5 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 9:48 AM | High | 0.7 ft |
| 8:02 PM | Low | 0.6 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:52 AM | High | 0.9 ft |
| 4:12 PM | Low | 0.4 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 4:55 AM | High | 1.1 ft |
| 4:42 PM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 5:23 AM | High | 1.3 ft |
| 5:22 PM | Low | 0.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:02 AM | High | 1.4 ft |
| 6:05 PM | Low | -0.0 ft |
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6:48 AM | High | 1.5 ft |
| 6:51 PM | Low | -0.1 ft |
High/low predictions from NOAA station 8735180, refreshed on every build. Times shown local.
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
93°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
58%
17
93°
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
55%
18
92°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
48%
22
90°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
44%
24
91°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
19%
40
90°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
20%
43
What to Bring Today
- recommended Umbrella or shade warm day, light wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 86°F
- critical Extra water / electrolytes 94°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
Frequently Asked
Is it safe to swim at Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge today?
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge shows a live water-quality reading (bacteria levels) and today's swim-safety score at the top of this page, refreshed on every update. No lifeguards are on duty, so check the day's conditions and swim with caution. Always review the current advisories, surf, and rip-current notes before getting in the water.
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