Today's Conditions
LIVE · NWS MobileLoading the latest National Weather Service surf-zone forecast…
to 888777 for daily alerts
251-981-SURF (7873)
251-968-SURF (7873)
The live status shown on the beach is set by Orange Beach lifeguards and the City of Gulf Shores Beach Patrol and can change through the day. Always confirm the on-beach flag before entering the water.
The Beach Flag Warning System
Orange Beach & Gulf Shores fly these flags to signal current water hazards. Know them before you go.
Green — Low Hazard
Calm conditions. Always exercise caution in the water.
Yellow — Medium Hazard
Moderate surf and/or currents. Use caution and stay close to shore.
Red — High Hazard
High surf and/or strong currents. Swimming is strongly discouraged.
Double Red — Water Closed
The water is closed to the public. It is illegal to enter the Gulf within the corporate limits of Orange Beach or Gulf Shores when two red flags are flying.
Purple — Dangerous Marine Life
Marine pests are present (jellyfish, stingrays, and the like). Exercise caution. Purple can fly alongside any hazard flag.
Caught in a rip current?
Don't fight it. Rip currents pull you away from shore, not under. Stay calm, float, and don't try to swim straight back against it.
Swim parallel to the beach until you're out of the current, then angle back to shore. Wave and call for help if you need it. Most Gulf drownings here happen on red-flag days — when in doubt, stay out.
Checking the beach before you go
Whether you're staying along the Orange Beach shoreline, Perdido Key, or the Gulf Shores public beach, water conditions can shift quickly from one day — or even one hour — to the next. The flag flying at the beach access is always the final word, but you can get a strong read before you leave your room: text ALBEACHES to 888777 for the day's flag status, call the surf line, and check the National Weather Service rip-current outlook above. What's Good Local pulls the live NWS surf-zone forecast so you can plan your beach day around the safest window.