The beginning of March signals the return of warmer weather and the arrival of spring break activities.

For those with plans to attend beaches or beach towns along the Gulf Coast, understanding the rules and regulations for each location may help the ensure the experience is enjoyable.

For example, while Miami has been a premier destination for spring breakers, city officials instituted several measures in 2024 to address disorderly crowds and violence. The city intends to implement similar measures in 2025 to, “reinforce the message that the city is not interested in being a spring break party destination.”

Here are the rules/regulations for several spring break destinations on the Gulf Coast:

Gulf Shores

• Pets are not allowed on any of the sand beaches in Gulf Shores. Pets are welcome at Gulf Place, but they may not travel on the sand beaches.
• No glass or breakable containers
• No alcoholic beverages on public beaches in Gulf Shores from March 1 until April 17.
• No tents / canopies larger than 7 feet by 7 feet by 4 feet unless they are placed in a designated tent area
• No fishing at Gulf Place
• No tobacco and e-cigarettes
• Motorized vehicles are prohibited
• Holes can only be dug up to 12 inches. Those who dig are asked to cover holes for the safety of residents and visitors.
• Fires, grills or cooking devices are prohibited
• No fireworks, sky lanterns, sparklers
• No drone operation
• No solicitation
• No walking or standing on sand dunes. Use beach walkovers and boardwalks where provided. Staying off the dunes will help us to preserve our dune system and the habitat it provides.
• No entering the Gulf while double red flags are flying.
• Beachgoers are advised not to leave any structures or equipment on the beach after leaving. Any structures or equipment left on the beach an hour after sunset until sunrise will be removed and disposed of by beach patrol except permitted beach services.

Orange Beach

• Alcohol is allowed on the beach but glass containers are prohibited.
• Dogs and bonfires are prohibited.
• Fishing is allowed but chumming is prohibited.
• Drones are prohibited unless a proper permit is provided.
• No personal vehicles are allowed on the beach.
• Camping is prohibited on any public beach.

Panama City Beach

• Alcohol consumption and possession are prohibited on the beach during March.
• Alcohol sales will not be allowed after 2 a.m. and until 7 a.m.
• Alcohol is prohibited in parking lots or vehicles.
• Riding on the exterior of vehicles, including sitting on windowsills, or standing through sunroofs, is strictly prohibited.
• Loud music that disturbs the peace, or music heard more than 25 feet away, is illegal.
• Loitering in vacant parking lots, in parking lots after a business closes, or on the shoulder of the road is prohibited.
• Climbing, jumping from, or throwing objects from balconies is strictly prohibited.
• No metal shovels are allowed on the beach.
• Holes cannot be dug deeper than 2 feet. Beachgoers are asked to fill all holes after use for the safety of others.

Miami Beach

• Consumption of alcohol in public is illegal.
• It is illegal to smoke on beaches or in parks.
• A curfew is expected to be released for 2025. In 2024, a curfew was implemented during March beginning at midnight until 6 a.m.
• Narcotics and marijuana are illegal.
• Driving under the influence is against the law.
• It is illegal to drive a scooter or vehicle irresponsibly
• No cigarettes.
• Coolers, inflatable devices, tents or tables are prohibited
• Loud music is not allowed.
• Glass containers are prohibited
• Styrofoam, plastic straws and balloons are prohibited.
• Parking rates, such as $100 for non-residents, will be increased at certain locations throughout March.
• The non-resident towing rate will be at least $530.
• A DUI sobriety checkpoint will be in place along the 400 block of 5 Street starting at 7 p.m. between March 14-15 and March 21-22.

Destin

• Alcohol is allowed on beaches but not public parks.
• No curfew for adults, only for minors.
• No pets are allowed
• No fires or bonfires
• No fireworks
• No glass or glass containers are allowed
• Littering and vehicles are prohibited on the beaches.

Fort Walton Beach

• Glass containers are prohibited.
• Alcohol is allowed but cannot come in glass containers.
• No fires or bonfires are allowed.
• Driving on the beach is not allowed.
• Tents larger than 10 feet by 10 feet are not allowed.
• Holes are prohibited from being larger than 3 feet by 3 feet and no deeper than 2 feet.