Overview

Shelby Lake is a coastal lake/lagoon behind Gulf Shores, on the bay (north) side of the peninsula. This sheltered body of water is connected to the Intracoastal Waterway and offers ideal flat water conditions for kitesurfing. It's the flat water alternative to the Gulf beaches of Gulf Shores. The lake is shallow and sheltered, perfect for learning and freestyle. It's the preferred spot for local kite schools. Access via Gulf Shores residential roads.

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Spot forecast for Shelby Lake

Sunrise 06:56 · Sunset 18:14

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Next tides

High tide Tue 20 · 02:57 · 0.6 m
Low tide Tue 20 · 03:50 · 0.6 m
High tide Tue 20 · 04:51 · 0.6 m
Low tide Tue 20 · 14:47 · 0.3 m

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Shelby Lake: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

301h

in April · 30 rideable days

The season runs from March to June, peaking in April: 29 rideable days a month and 301 hours of usable wind, at 26 °C. The low point is September, at 17.5 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 93%13-20 knots · 7%21-30 knots · under 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 93% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 14 °C. The wettest month is July, with 509 mm.

Monthly averages: Shelby Lake

Monthly averages — Shelby Lake — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	26.5	214 h	14 °C	145 mm
February	18.0	157 h	19 °C	68 mm
March	27.0	241 h	21 °C	182 mm
April	30.0	301 h	24 °C	109 mm
May	29.0	262 h	28 °C	119 mm
June	28.5	216 h	31 °C	146 mm
July	20.0	143 h	31 °C	509 mm
August	18.0	110 h	30 °C	329 mm
September	17.5	122 h	28 °C	182 mm
October	17.5	147 h	26 °C	310 mm
November	20.0	172 h	22 °C	97 mm
December	21.0	150 h	17 °C	115 mm

Photo gallery of Shelby Lake

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Technical details of Shelby Lake spot

The spot works with winds from N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW.

Rideable Not rideable

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Required level: Beginner

On the water

Perfect flat water — the best flat water spot in the Gulf Shores area. Shallow depth. Sandy/muddy bottom. The lake is sheltered and conditions are predictable. Good conditions in all wind directions. Water is very warm in summer. Area shared with kite schools — respect teaching zones.

Hazards

Stingrays frequent — do the stingray shuffle. Jellyfish possible. Muddy bottom in some areas. Alligators possible (coastal lake connected to marshes — stay alert). Violent thunderstorms in summer with lightning — exit water immediately. Area shared with beginners and kite school students. Boat traffic possible on nearby Intracoastal Waterway.

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Jack Edwards Airport4.1 kmsource noaa

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Additional stations

GW2193 GULF SHORES2.1 km

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source noaa
FW3872 Orange Beach8.8 km

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source noaa

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Webcams near Shelby Lake

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Nearby spots

All spots: Alabama

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Shelby Lake kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot