The Gulf Coast boasts most of the true white sand beaches in the United States, from Gulf Shores to the Gulf Coast of Florida. The Florida Keys also have white sand beaches. Build a glistening white sand castle and take in the turquoise waves when you stay at one of our Gulf Shores condos or Orange Beach rentals!
Does Gulf Shores Alabama have white sand?
Home to 32 miles of white sand beaches, Gulf Shores is one of Alabama’s most popular coastal getaways thanks to the Gulf of Mexico’s balmy waters. There are a variety of beach access points, but the one at Gulf Place is particularly popular thanks to its ample facilities.
Are Gulf Shores beaches white?
There’s a beach for that, too. In Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, the name tells the story – miles of pristine white quartz sand washed by blue-green Gulf waters.
What kind of sand does Gulf Shores have?
quartz
Our sparkling-white beach sand is made of quartz that filtered down through the Appalachian Mountain chain thousands of years ago.
Why is gulf beach sand white?
Yup. Our sand is quartz crystal, which is also known for its healing and soothing properties. It has been pulverized and washed down to this particular region over the millennia.
What color is the sand in Gulf Shores Alabama?
white sand
The Gulf Coast boasts most of the true white sand beaches in the United States, from Gulf Shores to the Gulf Coast of Florida. The Florida Keys also have white sand beaches.
Which beach has the clearest water in Alabama?
Fort Morgan Beach
Even though Fort Morgan Beach is tucked away from the crowds, it’s so worth a visit. To learn more about this hidden beach with the clearest water in Alabama, take a look below. Fort Morgan Beach is one of Alabama’s most beautiful beaches, and it most certainly belongs on everyone’s summer bucket list.
Is the water clear in Gulf Shores Alabama?
Gulf Shores is one of the most frequently visited of all Alabama beaches offering clear waters and shoreline havens. No one goes to the area without spending some time on this beautiful white-sandy beach.
Which is better Orange Beach or Gulf Shores?
Orange Beach and the Gulf Shores is a little closer, and of the two, Orange Beach is the most family friendly. Gulf Shores is the older, more established beach area and sits at the intersection of State Highway 182 and 59. Orange Beach extends from Gulf Coast State Park to Perdido Key, Florida.
Why are Alabama beaches white?
Our sand is softer and finer than you see on most other beaches around the world. That’s the result of pure, white quartz crystal that washed down from the Appalachian Mountains and was deposited in the Gulf of Mexico.
Why are some beach sands white?
“Sand derived from granites will be whiter, sands derived from metamorphic terrain, will take on the colour of the oxide in the rock,” he says. When these rocks break down into the grains that make up the sand on our beaches, their colour is mostly determined by the presence or absence of iron.
Are white sand beaches natural?
The famous white-sand beaches of Hawaii, for example, actually come from the poop of parrotfish. The fish bite and scrape algae off of rocks and dead corals with their parrot-like beaks, grind up the inedible calcium-carbonate reef material (made mostly of coral skeletons) in their guts, and then excrete it as sand.
Why white sand is white?
The color of sand grains comes from the original material that formed the sand. For example, white sand on tropical beaches is pulverized pieces of dead coral. (Coral skeleton is white because it is made of calcium carbonate, a mineral also found in chalk and human bones.)
Is Gulf Shores a real beach?
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are Dynamic Beach Towns
You’ll find attractions, dining experiences, music venues and adventure both on and off the water. Festivals are a draw here on the Alabama Gulf Coast and include the Hangout Music Festival and the National Shrimp Festival.
Is Orange Beach white sand?
Located only 3 miles from Perdido Pass Bridge in the town of Orange Beach, Alabama, Florida Point Beach is a lovely 6,000-foot-long stretch of fine white sand that runs along the turquoise waters of Florida Point. There is a popular boardwalk along the beach as well as several picnic areas and a few outdoor showers.
Does white sand get hot?
Aside from its sheer beauty, this powdery sand has a few other benefits. First of all, it packs well, making it perfect for sandcastle-building, beach volleyball, and jogging. Secondly, it never gets hot enough to burn the bottom of your feet on the way back to your Siesta Key vacation condo.
What is the prettiest beach in Alabama?
The Most Beautiful Beaches In Alabama
- Gulf Shores. There are multiple beautiful white sand beaches along the Gulf Shores in Alabama, and these shores are not small by any means; it is a 32-mile-long stretch of sandy beaches and pearlescent waters.
- Fairhope.
- Fort Morgan.
- Orange Beach.
- Dauphin Island.
Is Gulf Shores Alabama a pretty beach?
There’s no doubt that the Alabama Gulf Shores is a show-stealer when it comes to beaches. The pristine white sands, family-friendly atmosphere, wildlife, and nearly perfect weather most months of the year make it a top beach destination in the United States.
Why does the sand squeak in Gulf Shores?
Through the millennia, the crystals that have formed the protective dunes and sandy shores have ground down to fine particles by the surf and storms, thus squeaking when rubbing against each other.
Which is better Gulf Shores or Myrtle Beach?
Gulf Shores is the better option if you are looking for a short, convenient drive time. However, Myrtle Beach has much nicer resorts in comparison to Gulf Shores. While Gulf Shores does have condos and a few resorts.
What is the best time of year to visit Gulf Shores Alabama?
The best times to visit Gulf Shores are March through May and September through November. Travelers can take advantage of these sweet spots outside the busy (and more expensive) summertime and enjoy swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, which still offers pleasant temperatures in the late spring and early fall.
