Perdido Key & Orange Beach Guides
The trip-planning stuff people actually search for, from someone who lives here — when to come, where to stay, what to do, and how to get on the sand without circling for parking. No tourism-board fluff.
First-Timer's Trip Planner
Never been? Start here — getting in, where to stay, what to pack, a 3-day plan, and beach safety.
Read the guide →Weekend Itinerary (2–3 Days)
A realistic Friday–Sunday plan: beach mornings, one big memory day, seafood, sunset, and rain/double-red backups.
Read the guide →Perdido Key vs Orange Beach vs Gulf Shores
Three towns, one stretch of Gulf. Which one fits your trip — quiet, fishing, or family attractions?
Read the guide →Best Time to Visit
Month-by-month on weather, crowds, prices, water temps, and the hurricane-season caveat.
Read the guide →Things to Do
The master list — beaches, the sandbar, fishing, seafood, the Flora-Bama, OWA, nightlife, and free stuff.
Read the guide →What to Do on a Double Red Flag Day
Gulf closed? Full pivot plan — pools, bay, food, shopping, museums — plus how Alabama fines differ from Florida.
Read the guide →Beach Access & Parking
Where to actually park and get on the sand when most of the gulf-front is private condos.
Read the guide →Can You Bring Your Dog to the Beach?
Almost nowhere — except one designated dog beach on the Key. The real rules, fines, leashed trails, and dog parks.
Read the guide →Where to Stay: Perdido Key vs Orange Beach vs Gulf Shores
Condos, hotels, gulf-front vs bay-side, peak-season booking, and the honest breakdown from someone who already lives here and doesn't have to sell you a room.
Read the guide →Golf: The Courses Worth Playing
Lost Key on the island, nationally-ranked Kiva Dunes, Craft Farms, Peninsula, Perdido Bay — where to play, when to book, and how to skip peak rates.
Read the guide →Want today's conditions instead? Check today's beach flags for the live flag, surf, and water temp — or browse The Drift for local news and columns.