City Guides: Things to do While Boating in Orange Beach, Alabama
If hanging out on soft sand beaches, visiting cool beach bars, taking in spectacular Gulf Coast scenery and making memories and new friends at local marinas and private boat dock rentals is your thing, then Orange Beach needs to be on your boating bucket list.
The scenic Alabama town sits along the Atlantic Ocean and the sapphire water of the Gulf of Mexico (between Pensacola and New Orleans). Bayou St. John, the Old River, Bay La Launch and Wolf Bay circle around for good measure. All of that water makes for great fishing, swimming, sailing, sunning and pretty much any other sand and surf activity you can think of.
Enjoy sunset scenes at dock and dine restaurants or visit bars and live entertainment venues like the world-famous Flora-Bama (Kenny Chesney even co-wrote a song about it – and has been known to show up for impromptu performances). He held a free concert there to promote his 2014 album The Big Revival, which featured the song. You can imagine the crowd that showed up for that!
Whether you’re exploring the Orange Beach waterways, visiting neighboring Gulf Shores or traveling the Florida ICW, the area makes a great year-round and amazing winter boating destination. Let’s check out some things to do in Orange Beach!
Adventure Island
Photo: Adventure Island (Facebook)
Gather the kids and head to Adventure Island for a day of fun and competitive spirit. The park has go-karts, bumper boats, mini golf, an arcade, kiddie rides and an erupting volcano. If that’s not a reason to leave a private boat slip for rent, we don’t know what is! It’s located across the road from the Gulf along the canals of Orange Beach.
Orange Beach Waterfront Park
Photo: Public Domain
Orange Beach Waterfront Park, on Wolf Bay, makes a terrific spot to relax and let the kids run off energy. Park amenities include a fishing pier, picnic pavilions, BBQ grills, restrooms and a playground with shade and climbing areas. Pets are allowed, so bring your furry friends along with you.
The Wharf
Photo: The Wharf (Facebook)
For shopping, dining and entertainment, you can’t go wrong with The Wharf. Shop for jewelry, home décor, apparel, shoes, books and more or enjoy waterfront dining along Portage Creek. There’s a Ferris wheel, a full-service marina (home to sports fishing tournaments and the annual Wharf Boat & Yacht Show), an amphitheater for concerts (including the big names like Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Walker Hayes, ZZ Top and Kelsea Ballerini), axe throwing, an escape room, a seasonal ice-skating rink and much more. Located along the ICW, at mile marker 158.8, it’s convenient to private boat slips for rent.
Gulf State Park
Photo: Gulf State Park (Facebook)
Go hiking, swimming, fishing, geocaching and more at the 6,500-acre Gulf State Park. The park offers a nature center, educational programs, a butterfly garden, a pier, a dog park, a campground (for tents and RVs) and a lodge as well as access to the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Shelby. There are also vendors for kayaking and parasailing.
Orange Beach Indian & Sea Museum
Photo: Orange Beach Indian & Sea Museum (Facebook)
Located in a former schoolhouse, the Orange Beach Indian & Sea Museum showcases the Native American and nautical history in the region. You’ll find it centered in between the Gulf and Wolf Bay just off of Alabama’s Coastal Connection road (161). It’s a great excursion for the whole family from a private boat dock for rent or after a day in the sun.
For those trailering a boat from home, marinas or private boat slip rentals, there are public boat ramps at Cotton Bayou Boat Launch and the Orange Beach Boat Ramp (which provides easy access into the Atlantic via Perdido Pass).
Between the famous bars (and their famous bushwhacker beverage), famous singers and famous sunsets, we’ve decided Orange Beach is worthy of boating bucket list status. Let us know your favorite activities and attractions.
