How Dangerous Spring Break Cities Have Made Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Popular Among Students

OBA Staff • February 26, 2025

College students now look for safe beaches for spring break

Spring Break on the Gulf Coast

Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Gulf Shores and Orange Beach started their "Safe Spring Break" rules many years ago and the plan appears to have paid off among college students. Historic spring break party beaches are now telling students they do not want them to visit. Locations like Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Panama City have now adopted many of the rules that the Alabama beach towns introduced almost a decade ago.


In recent years, college spring breakers have seen violence and illegals drugs cause death and physical damage to many of their cohorts. The annual getaways to Mexico, Belize and even some U.S. beaches have become inundated with problems that can ruin trips or scar a student's life.


Now those students are looking to stay closer to home and abide by the 'no drinking on the beach' rules implemented by Gulf Shores in 2016. Throughout the SEC and other conference colleges the students are choosing to spend spring break in a more relaxing atmosphere.


In 2025, the City Councils of both beach towns have again signaled enforcement of the "No Drinking Alcohol, No Drugs and No Drones" on local beaches. But due to other beach town's lack of safety and recent enforcement of the same rules, college students are now selecting lower Alabama beaches for their spring break excursions.


They have the famous beach bars like Flora-Bama and the Hangout for live music and entertainment. There are plenty of affordable restaurants with waterfront views. Spring breakers also find over 10,000 lodging units at affordable. Non-summer, pricing. Students can also take a break from the beach and enjoy all of the amenities of The Wharf during their excursions.


It may have taken a few years to prove the local city councils were wise in their spring break laws, but they have been vindicated with other beach towns now following their standards. The vast majority of students have begun selecting safety since the white sands and emerald waters are the same.


MIAMI BREAKING UP WITH SPRING BREAK

Share this article w/ Friends...

Orange Beach Library
By OBA Staff December 7, 2025
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The American Heart Association has launched a new health program at the Orange Beach Public Library. The initiative is called Libraries with Heart and is designed to help residents monitor their blood pressure at home. Community partners say the effort will give people easier access to...
Gulf Shores Shifts Business License Renewals To Email Only
By OBA Staff December 7, 2025
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Starting this December, the city will no longer send business and rental license renewal forms through traditional U.S. mail. Instead, all renewal forms will be delivered only by email. City officials say the change is meant to be more efficient. They also hope it will save money and...
New Foley Library Frees Space For Senior Center
By OBA Staff December 7, 2025
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — City leaders in Foley are planning major changes to the current public library building. The work is meant to improve access for older adults and people with disabilities. The building will later become the city’s Senior Center. The plans are tied to the construction of a new library.
Gulf Shores Pedestrian Bridge Construction Continues On Schedule
By OBA Staff December 7, 2025
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Construction on the City of Gulf Shores Pedestrian Bridge is moving forward on schedule, with steady work visible on both sides of the project. Crews are working on the bridge structure as well as nearby parking and streetscape improvements. City officials say the work is designed to...
Orange Beach Finance Dept.
By OBA Staff December 6, 2025
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The City of Orange Beach has launched a new online portal for business licenses and related applications. The system uses OpenGov Permitting & Licensing. City leaders say it will cut paperwork, save time and money. They expect faster decisions for businesses and residents.
New State Guidance Shifts Baldwin County School Counseling Procedures
By OBA Staff December 6, 2025
Robertsdale, Ala. — (OBA) — Baldwin County Public Schools Superintendent Eddie Tyler has notified parents about an important change to counseling consent rules. He said he usually shares policy updates in his back‑to‑school email each August, but this situation is different. The district began the year collecting...
City of South Baldwin Hospital Artist's Rendering
By OBA Staff December 6, 2025
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley officials are adding new traffic control near the city’s hospital as services and patient numbers continue to grow. The city plans to change an existing intersection to better handle the heavier traffic. Leaders say the change is meant to improve safety as well as traffic flow. Residents...
Orange Beach Recreation Campus Gets Major Upgrades
By John Mullen December 5, 2025
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Plans continue in Orange Beach to make improvements to the recreation campus in the northwest intersection of Canal Road and Wilson Boulevard. Pickleball courts and expanded parking are already underway and, work has begun on Contorno Park on the western edge of the campus. Next on the...
Rising Food Costs And Seasonal Employment Dip Create Urgent Need
By OBA Staff December 5, 2025
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Local musicians are joining forces to help struggling families in lower Baldwin County through a benefit concert. The event aims to raise funds and collect food donations for the Christian Service Center. Six musical acts will perform at the fundraiser called Pantry Stock.
Perdido Beach Resort
By OBA Staff December 4, 2025
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — According to Hotel Business, an Alabama-based investor group has purchased Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach. The new owners say the popular Gulf Coast property will remain under local leadership. They also say they are committed to its long-term future. The resort has served families...
Show More