True Southerners know you can’t believe everything you hear, especially when it comes to the Alabama Gulf Coast. Somewhere between “It’s too chilly for the beach” and “Everything closes after Labor Day,” you’d think our shoreline packs up and hibernates come September. (Spoiler alert: that’s as wrong as socks on the beach.)

Bless their hearts.

Those of us who call this little slice of paradise home know that fall is one of the best times to dig your toes in the sand. The water’s still warm, the seafood’s still fresh, and the sunsets somehow get even more dramatic.

So, let’s have a little fun and bust five of the biggest fibs you’ll hear about fall on the Gulf, because real BEACHBALLERS know better.

Fib #1: “It’s too chilly for the beach.”

Fiction: Once September rolls in, you might picture the Gulf Coast bundled up in flannel, sipping cocoa, and sadly folding up our swimsuits like it’s a National Day of Mourning.

Fact: Y’all, we’re still in short sleeves until Thanksgiving. Daytime highs hover in the upper 60s to mid 70s, and the Gulf stays warm well into November. You can still swim, paddleboard, kayak, or float the day away, just with fewer crowds and more room to spread your beach blanket.

If you’re lucky, you’ll even catch one of those “just right” days where the breeze is cool enough for a light cover-up but the sand’s still warm between your toes. That’s what we call sweet spot season. We’ve even spent December birthdays sitting right on the sand, soaking up sunshine that would make anyone forget it was winter.

Fib #2: “Everything shuts down after Labor Day.”

Fiction: Some folks think we pack up the beach chairs, close the restaurants, and hang a “See Y’all Next Summer” sign on the welcome center.

Fact: Not even close. Fall is locals’ season, and it’s when our favorite places shine brightest. Big Beach Brewing in Gulf Shores keeps the taps flowing, The Gulf in Orange Beach stays open for sunset dinners, and OWA’s amusement park and theater in Foley keep the fun going long after school’s back in session.

Then come the festivals: the National Shrimp Festival, the Hangout Oyster Cook-Off, and Fort Morgan’s Fall Fort Tours, just to name a few. You can sip a craft beer, listen to live music, and watch the waves all in one afternoon without elbowing for space.

So no, the beach doesn’t close in fall. It just breathes.

Fib #3: “The fish don’t bite in fall.”

Fiction: “It’s too cool for good fishing.” (Spoken like someone who’s clearly never dropped a line off our pier in October.)

Fact: Autumn is prime time for anglers. Cooler water brings in redfish, flounder, and speckled trout, the kind of fish stories you can back up with a photo. Surf fishing from Fort Morgan’s quiet stretch is pure peace, while Orange Beach’s back bays and Perdido Pass are teeming with action.

Charter captains love this time of year too. There are fewer boats, better bites, and smooth sailing weather. If you’re a first-timer, fall is the perfect season to try it. The fish are active, the air’s crisp, and your pictures will look like postcards.

Fib #4: “Fall means hurricanes, so it’s risky to book.”

Fiction: “You never know when a big storm’s coming, so it’s safer to skip fall travel.”

Fact: Sure, hurricane season runs through November, but that doesn’t mean we’re sitting around waiting on Jim Cantore to show up with our flashlights charged and beach bags swapped for evacuation bags. Most years, September and October bring nothing but blue skies, calm surf, and those golden sunsets you can’t capture any other time of year.

Local tip: Keep an eye on the forecast, but don’t let it scare you off. We’ve learned that the weather changes faster than you can say “pass the sunscreen,” and most days still end in a postcard-worthy sunset. And let’s be honest, the toughest “storm” you’re likely to encounter is choosing between a hammock nap and a sunset stroll.

Fib #5: “Locals pack up after summer.”

Fiction: “The beaches must be empty, everyone goes home.”

Fact: That’s the beauty of fall here. It’s peaceful, not deserted. Locals finally have time to enjoy our own backyard, and visitors get to see the Gulf Coast at its most authentic. You’ll find families taking golf cart rides at sunset, neighbors chatting at farmers’ markets, and early risers walking the beach with coffee in hand instead of a cooler full of sunscreen.

If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing the Alabama coast without the crowds, just you, the waves, and a stretch of white sand that feels like your own, this is your season.

Bonus Fib: “The water turns cold instantly.”

Fiction: As soon as October hits, the Gulf supposedly chills like sweet tea in the fridge.

Fact: Not even close. Our shallow coastal waters hold heat longer than deeper oceans, which means the water stays swimmable and delightfully warm long after you’ve traded your tank top for a light sweater. In other words, pack your swimsuit and your flannel, you’ll use both.

The Coast At Its Coziest

Fall on the Alabama Gulf Coast isn’t the end of beach season. It’s when the coast truly shines. The crowds thin, the pace slows, and life settles into that just-right rhythm we all crave. Mornings bring pink skies and sea oats swaying in the breeze. Afternoons are made for bike rides, pier fishing, and shrimp baskets on a patio. When evening comes, the air smells like salt and sunshine fading, wrapping you in the kind of cozy that makes you lose track of time.

If you’ve never experienced the Gulf this time of year, there’s no better way than with BEACHBALL PROPERTIES. Whether you’re chasing redfish or sunsets, our condos and cottages in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and Fort Morgan put you right where you want to be, just steps from the sand, close to the action, surrounded by Southern hospitality.

So the next time someone says it’s too chilly after summer, just smile and nod. We’ll be here, toes in the sand and sunsets on repeat.

Come Have A Ball At The Beach!

– Ginger & Hunter Harrelson