Popular Beaches Closing for Spring Break Safety

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

As spring break season kicks off in the Gulf South, several popular beach destinations are closing access points or banning alcohol on the beaches due to public safety concerns. City leaders in Panama City, Florida, will close beach access points 25 to 36 from March 12 to April 13, while Gulf Shores, Alabama, has implemented an alcohol ban on its beaches for the month of March.

Why it matters

Spring break is a major economic driver for beach communities in the Gulf South, but the influx of large crowds, often college-aged, has led to public safety issues in recent years. City leaders are having to balance economic needs with ensuring the safety of residents and visitors through measures like beach closures and alcohol bans.

The details

In Panama City, Florida, city leaders will close beach access points 25 to 36 along South Pier Park Drive from March 12 to April 13, citing the strain on resources needed to police the area and maintain public safety. Similarly, Gulf Shores, Alabama, has banned alcohol on its beaches for the month of March. These decisions come as spring break schedules unfold across Louisiana, with LSU students on break from March 9-13, McNeese State students the following week, and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette taking their break the week after Easter on April 3-13.

• Spring break for LSU students is March 9-13.
• Spring break for McNeese State students is March 16-20.
• Spring break for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is April 3-13.
• The beach closures in Panama City, Florida, will be in effect from March 12 at 5am to April 13 at 5am.
• The alcohol ban in Gulf Shores, Alabama, will be in effect for the month of March.

What’s next

City leaders in Panama City and Gulf Shores will continue to monitor the situation and may adjust their policies if needed to ensure public safety during the spring break season.