What do you think of during your dreams of a beach vacation?
Do you see yourself looking out from a seashore porch, drink in hand and that book you’ve been meaning to get into, listening to the waves? Or just one more hot afternoon on those world-famous sugar-white beaches? While these should be your first thoughts when planning a vacation, they are often followed by more intrusive second, third and fourth thoughts, all concerning the colossal undertaking of it all: when and where to book, how much should it cost, what about the pandemic and most importantly… Will it be worth it to go next summer?
These concerns are leaving some would-be vacationers wondering if sacrificing precious off-days, paired with painful peak-season rental prices and dealing with large summer crowds, is all really worth it for a short time at the beach. While there is no sure way to completely remove stress from packing and traveling – no matter the season or destination – if you’re hoping to ditch the crowds, heat and mid-summer sweat… there may be just the place for you a little farther down the coast.
Already a great choice for a quiet place to unwind even in peak tourist season, Fort Morgan, Alabama takes relaxation to another level near the end of the year. Mild winters and very few rainy days make fall and early winter in the region the perfect time to visit, with temperatures in November and December averaging in the high 60s and typically fewer than six days of rain each month, allowing for a lot more time in the not-so-scorching sun. The humidity and the oppressive heat that renders being outdoors unbearable for the better part of six months is finally gone – or at least lessened enough to be comfortable for most activities – and there is a slight and invigorating chill to the salty cross-wind, mingling breezes from the Gulf of Mexico with those coming from Mobile Bay to the North.
Fort Morgan is a winter must-visit for those looking to actively enjoy the outdoors. While climate may be similar in neighboring areas, there is something to be said about the native forests, marshland and endangered habitats you can explore while staying at Fort Morgan. Not only is the area an excellent example of a community well-blended with the best elements of its natural environs – from the way new construction is incorporated to the heavy feature of native beach and forest areas – Fort Morgan strives to showcase Alabama coastal wilderness in a way that glorifies, preserves and cherishes it. While other areas are often highly manicured and “beautified,” most land throughout the Fort Morgan peninsula is largely untouched, making it the perfect place to enjoy a quiet walk in the bright, orange glow of a late autumn sunset over the water, or to set out early on a brisk day expedition to the 7,157-acre Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge to explore the scrub forests and marshlands.
While it may seem more of a summer destination to some, the The Fort Morgan Historic Site – located at the end of Mobile Point – is a wonderful stop for anyone visiting in cooler months. The site is open seven days a week year-round and is a great place to take the family for a day out or simply to learn a little more about the area’s rich historic background. The fort is a large Third System masonry structure built in 1833 on the site of a previous wooden fort and took part in the crucial Battle of Mobile Bay in August 1864, remaining in military service until 1946. There are many ways to enjoy the fort, from a self-guided tour of the grounds to firing demonstrations and living history exhibits built into the original fort structure to haunted ghost history tours.
Outside of the military and national history learning options available at the site, admission also grants beach access, many nature and birding trails and a newly-upgraded fishing pier – perfect for winter-season fishing for amberjack, Spanish mackerel, mullet and more. Also located at Mobile Point near the fort site is the Mobile Bay Ferry – known as “The Gulf Coast’s Most Scenic Drive” – offering travelers a 30-minute ride across Mobile Bay to Dauphin Island in neighboring Mobile County. In the low humidity of the off-season, there is no better way to enjoy Southern Mobile Bay and its natural scenery than taking the ferry to Dauphin Island, home to the world-known Dauphin Island Sealab; Fort Morgan’s sister fort site, Fort Gaines; and the Audubon Bird Sanctuary.
Fort Morgan also delivers something special for golfers looking to test their skills or those just looking for a fun game. For coastal visitors more interested in pars than parasailing, nothing beats a good game of off-season golf at Kiva Dunes Resort, Alabama’s highest-ranked golf course and a true blend of natural beauty with a competitive, challenging course. The track at Kiva, having undergone $1.5 million in improvements in 2015, is purposefully built into the landscape and natural environment of the region, allowing players to immerse themselves in the game and the area. The track offers over 7,100 footage of natural play and allows players of all skill levels to test their game. Organic hazards, natural sand bunkers and traps and those ever-shifting cross-winds of the Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Bay over the peninsula make each round a dynamic challenge. While the course is always 100% open to the public – offering dynamic green fees dependent on tee time demands – those who decide to stay during the colder months can enjoy 25%-30% off per round and witness the course at some of its most beautiful times of the year.
The savings aren’t only on golf when vacationing along the Gulf Coast during the cooler months. Rentals at Kiva Dunes Resort are nearly 45% less expensive when vacationing outside of peak season. There are plenty of vacation properties open for rent in the off season in Fort Morgan – including condos, cottages and beachfront homes – many of which are a short drive from all amenities and attractions on the peninsula. For those worried about overcrowding, one of the best things about staying in the Fort Morgan area is the better availability of entire home rentals. Additionally, real estate market “seasonality” returning in 2021 after more than a year of steadily rising prices along the Gulf Coast may mean even better prices going forward. While there are similar properties in other areas, they are usually much more expensive than prices further down the peninsula, and often without the added comfort of decent property spacing and privacy.
The business of beachfront vacations is thriving, bringing nearly 7 million visitors to the Alabama Gulf Coast each year, many of which end up crammed into tight tourist areas. While areas such Gulf Shores and Orange Beach – among other vacation hotspots – have their advantages and selling points, they too often have higher prices, waiting lists for rentals and overcrowding during the hottest stretches of the year. Aside from simple crowding issues, saturated markets tend to be much more touristy and gimmicky, often forgetting the natural elements that made the areas popular in the first place.
If you’re looking toward late fall and winter for an Alabama coastal vacation, you won’t regret booking in Fort Morgan. From discounts to natural adventures to a truly remote, relaxed beach experience, it’s all here. Whether it’s touring the fort site, learning about local wildlife, visiting the far side of the Bay courtesy of the Mobile Bay Ferry or something a little more exciting, Fort Morgan has you covered. If you book now, you can visit Fort Morgan in the off season and treat yourself and your family to that socially distanced getaway you’ve been craving to finally relax.