Things to Do in Gulf Shores in Fall and Winter: A Group Guide from Gulf Shores Beach Retreat
Finding dates that work for a whole group can take some juggling.
We host groups every month of the year, and fall and winter trips have plenty to fill the days. Your group can spend time on the beach, settle into your side of the retreat, and head out for a nearby walk or a festival.
Fall and Winter Days on the Beach
Our retreat sits right across the street from the beach, and a boardwalk takes your group straight onto the white sand (our FAQ), which is beautiful 365 days a year.
Average highs in Gulf Shores reach about 78°F in October and 71°F in November, and they sit between about 62°F and 65°F from December through February (Weather Spark). We recommend that your group pack jackets for the cooler mornings and evenings.
Your group can go for a sunrise walk at the beach which is the best time to look for shells. The beaches often fill with new shells after storms or high winds.
Watch the water while you walk. In winter, migratory birds like Northern Gannets and Common Loons come to the Gulf, and birders may spot plovers and peeps along the beach (Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism).
Head back to the beach in the evening to catch the sunset. In December the sun sets before 5 PM, so your group can watch it together and be back in time for dinner.
Your Side of the Retreat Keeps Everyone Busy
The retreat has two identical sides, and your group gets one for the whole stay. Each side has its own private pool with a large deck, a sand volleyball court, a basketball goal, and two charcoal grills.
“Even when the weather doesn’t allow for a swim, you can start the morning with coffee on the pool deck.”
Even when the weather doesn't allow for a swim, you can start the morning with coffee on the pool deck. Plan volleyball and basketball for the middle of the day, when winter highs reach the low to mid 60s.
Since the sun sets early in December, fire up the charcoal grills earlier in the day. Grill breakfast sausages in the late morning, or have a cookout for lunch. In the evening, you might cozy up around the grill and use it to make s'mores.
Our fully-equipped commercial kitchen gives your group's cooks room to make a big pot of soup or chili to warm everyone up after an afternoon on the beach.
Our 1,600-square-foot meeting room has 180 folding chairs, tables, and (2) 65-inch Smart TV’s. When it rains, or when it's too cold to be outside, bring out board games and cards or start a round of charades. The building has central heat and air, so the group stays comfortable on a cool night.
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge Offers an Accessible One-Mile Walk
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge sits on State Highway 180 in Gulf Shores. The refuge's Jeff Friend Trail is a one-mile loop through maritime forest and freshwater marsh to Little Lagoon (Alabama Birding Trails).
The trail is wheelchair accessible, so everyone in your group can come along. A small observation deck looks out over the lagoon. Birders in your group can look for Hooded and Prothonotary Warblers on the refuge trails during migration.
Watch Fall Migration Up Close at Fort Morgan
During fall migration, hawks, waterbirds, sparrows, and terns stop to rest on the grounds of Historic Fort Morgan (Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism). The Banding Coalition of the Americas runs a bird banding station at the fort, usually during the first week of October. Visitors watch trained researchers catch, examine, and band migrating birds (Banding Coalition of the Americas).
The National Shrimp Festival Is Worth Planning Around
The National Shrimp Festival takes place in October each year at 101 Gulf Shores Parkway. Entry to the festival grounds is free, and the festival's own site describes a weekend with nearly 250,000 people (National Shrimp Festival).
If a festival day fits your group's plans, choose that weekend when you book your trip.
Plan Your Fall or Winter Trip
Send us the weeks you're considering and the size of your group, and we'll help you plan from there.
