Our Area Beaches

By Amy Gouger

The beaches are the major draw for Gulf Shores, Alabama. Beautiful and seasonally warm, they lure both humans and animals to partake of bounty. Activities in Gulf Shores include fishing, swimming, scuba diving, golfing, amusement parks, water parks, nature trails, museums and zoos. Snorkelers will enjoy the Gulf Shores vacation experience.
Location
Gulf Shores is located adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico on a snip of land on the heel of Alabama, about 15 minutes from Orange Beach and 45 minutes from Pensacola, Florida.
Weather
From May through September the average high air temperature is 86 degrees F with an average low of 74 degrees F. In the remaining seven months of the year, the coolest is January and even then the temperatures only drop, on average, to a high of 57 degrees F and a low of 43 degrees F.
Ocean Temperatures
The water averages around 80 degrees F during the peak warm months of May through September. The coldest water temperature occurs in January, when it drops to about 55 degrees F.
Dangerous Waters
Like most oceans, swimming, scuba diving or snorkeling contains a few risks. Gulf Shores uses a flag system to warm of water conditions. A double red flag indicates a closed beach and green flag signifies low hazards. Keeping an eye on the flags will ensure the best snorkeling adventure.
Prey
Man of Wars and jellyfish really don't view humans as prey, but they do pack a sting. Bring along a jar of meat tenderizer and a bottle of vinegar. A purple flag indicates dangerous sea life.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling and Diving~Gulf Shores, Alabama

Ready, Set, Dive! The sugar white sands and pristine waters of the Alabama Gulf Coast offer an array of aquatic activities including scuba diving and snorkeling. Experience the adventure of an underwater oasis of marine life with a professional experienced diver at one of our local shops. Never been scuba diving before? Learn to snorkel on an exciting excursion to real life shipwrecks in the Gulf of Mexico. What a great feeling to explore the beautiful underwater world of life and color with no boundaries, only complete freedom.
This is sure to be a memorable experience and not particularly something you could just do anytime or anywhere. Take advantage of the breathtaking views, unique creatures, bright corals, and so much more you will find on this extended aquatic trip.
One of our local dive shops, Down Under Dive Shop, can sell, rent, or teach you anything you need for an amazing trip you’re sure to have. They can take you to the most perfect places found in the Gulf of Mexico on a private 46 foot custom dive vessel, which they claim is the finest. Their website is www.downunderdiveshop.com. Cure your curiosity with an adventurous snorkeling and scuba diving trip with your entire crew and discover the real hidden treasures of the Gulf Coast.

First Post

My name is Angela Drake. I am a third grade inclusion teacher at Gilliard Elementary School in Mobile County. It is located on Dauphin Island Parkway. My class consists of mostly special education students. I have taught inclusion classes each year that I have taught school. I have been a teacher for eight years. I taught for five years in Pensacola, Florida, in an inner city school. I taught for one year in Baldwin County. This upcoming school year will be my third year in Mobile County. I cannot wait to teach with my friend, Alphonse Allen, for a third year in a row!!!!

I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and a Master of Education in Instructional Technology, both from the University of West Florida. I started working on my doctoral degree in Instructional Design, but decided to put this on hold to focus on family more and to look into National Board Certification Candidacy.

After graduating from high school I went on to college to pursue a degree in Court Reporting. Just before finishing that degree, I realized that I did not want to spend the rest of my life in that field. I was working for an attorney at that time and did not enjoy the atmosphere. My mother and grandmother were teacher's aide's for a special education school in Pensacola and I enjoyed being around that environment. Although I did not take that route in education, I chose to go into elementary education.

I am looking forward to using technology quite a bit more this coming year in my classroom to enhance the learning environment for my students who are falling behind in the system.