Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are welcoming thousands for spring break 2026. All local businesses interviewed for this article reported increased revenue versus spring break of 2025. More than 60% reported an increase of more that 10 in their year-to-date revenue.

Local businesses are busy and traffic is heavy as tourists make their way south, despite higher gas prices due to the conflict in the Middle East. With TSA delays at airports and increased airfare, many regional tourist appear to have chosen to keep their trips to a familiar destination.

Easton Colvin with Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism (GSOBT) said an increase is expected based on rental data.

“For March of 2026 compared to 2025, we’re looking at an increase of 7% in destination occupancy,” Colvin said.

GSOBT provided data showing that Alabama beaches have become a year-round destination for visitors. In 2025, visitor spending on lodging reached a record $923 million. Rental revenue has nearly doubled over the past 10 years.

For the past 11 years Gulf Shores has banned alcohol on the beach during spring break and Orange Beach has even closed a popular beach at Perdido Pass during the school holiday,

While other coastal towns like Daytona and Panama City are having daily conflicts with spring breakers, Baldwin beaches have been relatively peaceful for families vacationing. The Gulf Shores Police Department did have one incident which led to 18 arrests in one day. Police warn they are on the lookout for troublemakers.

For more than a decade the Alabama beach towns have made a coordinated effort to keep spring break a family oriented event.