Two of our homes sit right on the beach: Shore Haven in Gulf Shores, Alabama, and Surf Haven at Garden City Beach, just outside Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. Guests often ask which time of year is best. The honest answer is that it depends on what you want from your week, so here’s how the year tends to go on both coasts.
Spring (March to May)
Spring is when the coast wakes up. Days are warm, evenings are cool enough for a sweatshirt on the deck, and the beaches are quieter than they’ll be in July. The water is still fresh in March, but by May most people are swimming. Spring break weeks fill early, so book ahead if your dates are tied to a school calendar. At Surf Haven, the community pool is heated from April 1, which makes April a good bet for families with little ones.
Summer (June to August)
Summer is peak season. Long, hot days, warm water, restaurants and shops open late, and fireworks around the Fourth of July. It’s the busiest time of year, so if you need a big house for a group, the earlier you book, the more weeks you’ll have to choose from. Afternoon thunderstorms are common but usually pass within the hour.
Fall (September to November)
This is the season locals love. The water stays warm into October, the crowds thin out once school is back, and it’s much easier to find a full week free. In Gulf Shores, the National Shrimp Festival takes over the public beach in October. Over in Murrells Inlet, the cooler evenings are perfect for a slow dinner on the MarshWalk.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and the most active stretch is usually August through October. Most weeks pass without any trouble, but keep an eye on the forecast and consider travel insurance. Our cancellation policy helps too: cancel more than 30 days before arrival and 97% comes back.
Winter (December to February)
Winter is quiet and mild. You won’t be swimming much, but beach walks, shelling and fishing are lovely without the summer heat, and plenty of snowbirds come south for weeks at a time. It’s a peaceful time to have a big beach house almost to yourself, with the waves for company.
Gulf or Atlantic?
Shore Haven looks out over the calm, clear water of the Gulf, with sunsets you can watch from the balcony. Surf Haven faces the Atlantic, so early risers get the sunrise, and the Grand Strand’s restaurants and golf are close by. Both welcome pets and come with beach chairs and toys.
If you’re deciding between the two coasts, or between a busy week and a quiet one, call Sandra on (877) 373-2602. She hosts both homes and can tell you what that week usually looks like. Or browse our properties and check availability.
Featured photo: Jodybwiki — CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons