85°
Mostly Cloudy
2%
79
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 photography.
NWS alert active · 80°F water · 85°F air
Full NWS forecast for This Afternoon
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. East wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. East wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Weather
- 85°F air — ideal beach weather
- Cloud cover — overcast reduces uv exposure but the vibe too
Water
- 80°F water — warm — full-day swim weather
Safety
- NWS alert active — high surf advisory issued june 3 at 11:26am cdt until june 6 at 4:00am cdt by nws mobile al
75 /100
great
50 Swim
73 Sunbathe
81 Walk
84 Photo
Best for photography today
Water level 0.6 ft above predicted
Observed water level is running higher than the astronomical tide prediction. Expect a narrower beach, faster-rising water, and stronger near-shore currents than the tide chart suggests.
Rip Currents Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued June 3 at 11:26AM CDT until June 7 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip currents. For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 4 to 6 feet expected in the surf zone. * WHERE...In Alabama, Mobile Coastal and Baldwin Coastal Counties. In Florida, Escambia Coastal, Santa Rosa Coastal and Okaloosa Coastal Counties. * WHEN...For the High Rip Current Risk, through Sunday morning. For the High Surf Advisory, from 11 PM this evening to 4 AM CDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.
High Surf High Surf Advisory
High Surf Advisory issued June 3 at 11:26AM CDT until June 6 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Full NWS statement
* WHAT...For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip currents. For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 4 to 6 feet expected in the surf zone. * WHERE...In Alabama, Mobile Coastal and Baldwin Coastal Counties. In Florida, Escambia Coastal, Santa Rosa Coastal and Okaloosa Coastal Counties. * WHEN...For the High Rip Current Risk, through Sunday morning. For the High Surf Advisory, from 11 PM this evening to 4 AM CDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.
Atmosphere
Air Temp
85°F
Mostly Cloudy
Wind
15 mph
E
Rain
2%
This Afternoon
Tomorrow
84°F
Partly Sunny
Water
Water Temp
80°F
Swimming weather
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
6:49 AM
Sunset
8:49 PM
Moon · 87%
Waning Gibbous
Neap tides — smaller range
Today's Tides
7-day chart →| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:13 PM | High | 1.5 ft |
7-Day Beach Day Forecast
84°
Partly Sunny
1%
76
84°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
32%
38
86°
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
64%
34
86°
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
38%
46
87°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
16%
54
87°
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
21%
48
What to Bring Today
- recommended Sturdy umbrella + sand anchor 15 mph wind
- optional Swimsuit - water is swimmable Water is 80°F
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