Surfing Turtle Gulf Shores

05/29/2026

05/27/2026

Did you know sea turtles can hold their breath for hours while resting? 🐢🌊

**TO REPORT A NESTING, INJURED OR DISTRESSED SEA TURTLE OR HATCHLING, PLEASE CALL
866-Sea-Turtle (866-732-8878)**

05/23/2026

Surfing Turtle Gulf Shores T shirts are available!!!

05/13/2026

05/13/2026

🌿🐢 Ever wonder why there’s sargassum on our beaches?

While it may look messy at times, sargassum plays a HUGE role in keeping our coastal ecosystem healthy — especially for sea turtles!

🐢 Baby sea turtles use floating sargassum mats for shelter and protection from predators.🐠 It creates an entire ocean habitat for fish, crabs, shrimp, and other marine life.🌊 It helps reduce beach erosion by trapping sand during waves and storms.🌱 As it naturally breaks down, it adds nutrients that support dune plants and coastal wildlife.

Natural sargassum is an important part of a healthy beach and Gulf ecosystem. Small seaweed… BIG impact! 💙

05/07/2026

Every nest matters. 💙🐢

Sea turtle season is officially underway on Alabama’s beaches, and you can help make a difference for the turtles that call our coast home.

Your support helps provide:
• Nest monitoring & protection
• Education & outreach
• Supplies for our volunteers in the field

Visit https://www.joinacf.org to donate to your favorite zone or even adopt a nest this season!

Together, we can help keep Alabama’s beaches safe for nesting moms and hatchlings. 🌊🐢

All footage obtained with approval of USF&W under conditions not harmful to this or any other sea turtles
🐢
**TO REPORT A NESTING, INJURED OR DISTRESSED SEA TURTLE OR HATCHLING, PLEASE CALL
866-Sea-Turtle (866-732-8878)**

05/07/2026

🐢 Sea Turtle Nesting Season is here!

If you live or own property near Fort Myers Beach, now is the time to check your lighting. Artificial light disorients nesting mothers and hatchlings and direct them away from the Gulf. The rules apply to ALL properties visible from the beach, not just oceanfront ones.

✅ Switch to amber/red long-wavelength LEDs (560nm+)
✅ Use fully shielded, downward-directed fixtures
✅ Close blinds and curtains on all beachside windows at night
✅ Turn off unnecessary lights

❌ No white or blue bulbs
❌ No string lights, uplights, or decorative lights visible from the beach
❌ No flashlights or flash photography near nesting areas

Violations can result in code enforcement.

Let's keep Fort Myers Beach dark for our turtles this season! 🌊

05/02/2026

S'mores on the Shore set for May 21!🔥🍫

Campfires, music, s’mores, and so much more will be the scene as the City of Gulf Shores hosts S’mores on the Shore on Thursday, May 21. The fun is set to begin at 6 p.m. and will take place at Gulf Place, 101 Gulf Shores Parkway.

This family-friendly event will include a variety of free items and activities, including s’mores packets, a live DJ, a balloon artist, and face painting. Fresh, delicious watermelon will be provided by our friends from Wheeles Realty. We will also have a great selection of local vendors, such as Hog Wild food truck, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism, and more. Families are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs, and friends, and relax together on the beautiful white sand of the Gulf Shores Public Beach.

"2010 marked the inaugural S'mores on the Shore event, which has quickly become one of our most popular events among residents and guests,” said Brigette Reynolds, Special Events Manager. “I am also especially proud to have been the one to foster this event! We are thrilled to bring free fun and excitement to our community, and we can’t wait to see you there!"

For more information about S’mores on the Shore, contact the Special Events Division at 251-968-1171 or visit www.gulfshoresal.gov/specialevents.

To explore all of our programs and events, please visit us online at www.gulfshoresal.gov/rca.

01/27/2026