Much of the world is still cold and dreary in March, as winter still holds strong, but in Orange Beach in March, that is not an issue, making it a popular spring destination spot. Offering warmer days and nights, fun activities, and of course, those white sand beaches that will make you believe in better things, if you are considering a March vacation to Orange Beach, you will once more fall in love with the month.
If you still aren’t convinced that a March visit to Orange Beach is a great idea, we at Poole & Associates have created this guide to planning a March trip to Orange Beach, showing all that is wonderful about this time of year while also inviting you to explore all the luxuries and comforts our seasonal sanctuaries will provide!
Plan for Warm Days and Cool Nights in Orange Beach in March
The weather forecast is often the first thing we check when planning a getaway. March is a dry month for Orange Beach, offering just 6 days of rain on average, in comparison to the 12 days you can expect in August, the height of our rainy season. While it is possible that it may rain during your visit, most storms blow in and out relatively quickly, leaving you plenty of sunshine to continue your March adventures.
The temperatures may reach as high as the low 70s, with 72 degrees being the average March high. As the sun falls back into the Gulf and the moon rises, casting its ethereal glow over water and sand, the mercury may fall as low as 52 degrees, making your March getaway an idyllic vacation experience.
Spring Break Crowds?
Spring Break is fast becoming one of the most popular vacation times, especially as primary schools are offering longer breaks than ever before, and you may be worried that Spring Break crowds will make Orange Beach, Alabama, in March crowded, expensive, and uncomfortable for the average family. We are thrilled to be able to put your mind at ease, because even though the beaches will be more crowded as the sun shines brighter and the temperatures begin to remind us that summer is not far off, our Gulfside town still remains quiet.
Yes, there may be some college students enjoying their Spring Break at the beach, but we have one rule that keeps most of them away. Alcohol is banned on the beach from March 1st through April 28th, and that is a law that is strictly enforced with increased patrols helping to keep the peace. This means that although the beaches may be more crowded during your March visit, most of your fellow beach goers are going to be quiet families such as yours, enjoying sun, sand, surf, and family time.
Beach Days Are Good for the Soul
Obviously, one of the first questions you might have in mind is whether you will get to enjoy the beaches of Orange Beach during your March adventures, and the answer is a qualified yes. Yes, the sun will be shining during most days of your stay, and yes, 72 degrees could be considered warm enough for our cold weather guests to consider swimming, but you must remember that nights drop into the 50s. The chilly nights will keep the Gulf from warming up enough to feel comfortable swimming, but you may still want to spend a day at the beach anyway.
Building sandcastles with your kids and walking along water’s edge, feeling the sun warm your shoulders as cool waters snake around your ankles are beloved beach day activities that are destined to be the ones you remember fondly after returning home, even if you never find yourself swimming in our clear waters.
March Festivals for Added Fun
Orange Beach, Alabama, in March is an excellent month for festivals, as the excitement for summer starts to build. As you explore all the fun festivals held in March, you will enjoy a better understanding of Orange Beach and everything that makes it wonderful.
Ballyhoo Festival of Art, First Weekend in March, 20110 AL-135 in Gulf Shores
The Ballyhoo Festival of Art isn’t held in Orange Beach, but its location in Gulf Shores is so close to our Orange Beach retreats, you probably wouldn’t have known the difference if we hadn’t told you. This wonderful festival celebrates all the arts, offering live music, food vendors, and visual art vendors, ensuring that all your senses will be entertained. If the excitement stopped there, you would still feel as if you had experienced the best Orange Beach has to offer, but it offers so much more, including a cultural celebration that will bring you joy while giving you an authentic glimpse into our Gulf front town.
Orange Beach Festival of Art, Second Weekend in March, Coastal Arts Center
The most talented artists in the world are attracted to the most beautiful places in the world, and judging by the number of art shows that can be found in the Orange Beach area, our town is one of those beautiful places! The Orange Beach Festival of Art, held the second weekend in March at the Coastal Arts Center, is a celebration of all the arts, including visual, performing, literary, musical, and culinary. Costing nothing to attend and offering two stages on which the best live music will be played, this festival has been an OB staple for 50 years.
The Wharf Boat & Yacht Show, Third Weekend in March, The Wharf in Orange Beach
The Wharf is more than a mall. It is a gathering place for many local events, including the Wharf Boat & Yacht Show which is held every March, displaying over $100 million dollars’ worth of boats and marine products. This event gives us all a peek into how the other half lives, featuring high-end yachts to explore, but with over 120 vendors, live music, and many very delicious food vendors, you are sure to find something that you can’t resist that will be right in your price range. As far as the more expensive items, well, it’s always nice to dream, don’t you think?
More Ways to Play in March
The month of March is so beautiful, you will want to spend as much time as possible playing outside. It’s hard to stay indoors when you see the sun shining, when you know that the salt air will feel warm on skin that probably hasn’t felt sunshine in far too long. And although there are many indoor activities that we will discuss shortly, these next paragraphs are going to explore all the ways to play outside during your March visit to Orange Beach.
Sail Wild Hearts, 27101 Perdido Beach Boulevard, Open Daily 8AM Until 6PM
You may not want to swim in the still-too-cool waters of the Gulf, but that doesn’t mean you have to avoid it altogether, especially if you play on TOP of the water instead of under the water. Sail Wild Hearts is one of our favorite water adventures!
For those who visited the Wharf Boat & Yacht Show, you are probably still feeling a little bit of yacht envy, and Wild Hearts, a 53-foot yacht, will help ease the pain. Offering sunset cruises, dolphin tours, and a particularly exciting Dolphin and Blue Angel Sail, your time on the yacht will be memorable. The Dolphin and Blue Angel Sail mixes a dolphin cruise (snacks and beverages included) with the opportunity to see the Blue Angels fly in Pensacola and is generally only available from the very end of March through October, so be sure to check the schedule to discover if you will be able to engage in this exciting activity.
Hiking the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, 24037 Perdido Beach Boulevard
The summer months may be a little too warm for hiking, but your March visit will be the perfect time to experience a hike or bike ride along the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail. Hikers and bikers can explore a variety of ecosystems along the trail, including forests of pine trees, coastal sands, and wetland alligator habitats. Pack a picnic lunch in your backpack—and if you are staying in our pet friendly escapes, snap a leash on your pooch—and plan on spending the entire day exploring all that makes the Orange Beach countryside one of the most beloved in the nation.
Orange Beach Fishing Charters & Saltwater Guides, 26619 Perdido Beach Boulevard
Although anytime is the perfect time to fish, and there are definitely seasons that are better for certain types of fish you may be seeking to catch, March is actually the beginning of the best fishing season, and Orange Beach Fishing Charters & Saltwater Guides is a fantastic company to try your hand at offshore angling. Offering a variety of excursions, they also provide little extras that not all charter companies will, including fish cleaning, free live bait, and a fishing license that is included with the price of the charter.
We really like that they own a number of different style boats, allowing guests to fish from a choice of catamarans or shearwaters. If you want to try your hand at deep sea fishing, they offer charters that go as far as 100 miles into the deep blue waters of the Gulf, giving you multiple options for a few hours (or a full day) of fishing excitement.
Time to Dine
Our Poole & Associates seasonal sanctuaries are known not just for their comfort, luxury, and prime beachfront locations, but also for their fully equipped kitchens that allow guests to stay in and cook a meal or two, saving money by not being forced to dine out for every meal. With that being said, however, Orange Beach is foodie destination spot, offering many, many restaurants that we hope you will have the opportunity to experience during your March visit. The restaurants listed below are just a few examples of our favorites, but be sure and stop in any that catch your eye; we can assure you that you won’t be disappointed.
Doc’s Seafood Shack & Oyster Bar, 26029 Canal Road, Open Daily at 11AM
The seafood of Orange Beach is fresher and sweeter than any you have sampled, and Doc’s Seafood Shack & Oyster Bar has long been one of our favorite places to take the family for a delicious seafood dinner offered at reasonable prices. Their Blue Plate Specials served at lunch are even more reasonably priced, offering a choice of protein and a choice of two sides, plus a corn muffin.
Ruby Slipper, 24151 Perdido Beach Boulevard, Open Daily From 11AM Until 2PM
You need to experience a good Southern breakfast at least once on your vacation, and we highly recommend Ruby Slipper, a local café known for its signature omelets and fluffy homemade biscuits. Often offering seasonal specials such as a Mardi Gras inspired menu that may still be available during your early March visit, we can assure you that every dish is worthy of being the dish you choose for your breakfast feast!
Comfortably Yours
Coming home to our Poole & Associates comfortable and luxurious Orange Beach retreats every evening will be a highlight of your most wonderful vacation experience. Reserve your favorite Orange Beach beach house with us today and discover all the ways our Orange Beach beachfront rentals will be where you feel comfortable and at ease!
