Alabama’s Beaches: A Year-Round Solo Travel Retreat
Media Contact:
Kay Maghan • Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism
[email protected] • AlabamasBeaches.com/Media
1-800-745-SAND • 251-974-4625 (direct) • 251-752-8448 (cell)
GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH, ALA.
The twin-city coastal destinations of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama, affectionately known as Alabama’s Beaches, lend themselves to many types of visitors, including those traveling solo.
The island retreat is home to 32 miles of sugar-white sand beaches and boasts year-round mild temperatures, so every season is a great time to visit. The region welcomes solo travelers who want to simply relax and reflect or those who want explore a new place … and those who want to do a little of both.
Whether by car, plane or ferry, it’s easy to travel to and get around Alabama’s Beaches, too. New non-stop flights start this month from eight major U.S. cities via Allegiant Airlines, making it even easier to reach the beach.
Once you’re here, there are endless ways to experience the destination on your own. Below are just a few sample itineraries to suit various types of solo travelers.
Solo Travelers Who Love: BEACHES & ECOLOGY
• NEW: Check out the Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism & Sustainability (nicknamed the Gulf Coast Eco Center), which officially opened its doors in April. The center is a home base for ecotourism activities, environmental education and outdoor adventure. Program highlights include beach and forest ecology, kayak and bike tours, an aerial adventure course, environmental art, organic gardening, and farm-to-table cooking.
• Birdwatch in such diverse habitats as Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge and Gulf State Park.
• Explore the 6,150-acre Gulf State Park, home of the award-winning Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail. Free and low-cost educational classes are available through the Learning Campus and Gulf State Park Nature Center.
• Last, but certainly not least: relax on 32 miles of beaches. With 15 public beaches across Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, there are plenty of options to enjoy the white quartz sand and blue-green Gulf waters. Yogis can even squeeze in a yoga session on the beach and or practice on the water using a standup paddleboard.
• STAY: At The Lodge at Gulf State Park, a beachfront hotel connected to Gulf State Park. The property recently underwent a room refresh. For an immersive stay in nature, check out Eagle Cottages and the Lakeside Cabins at Gulf State Park.
Solo Travelers Who Love: THE WATER
• Learn to sail at the Wind & Water Learning Center. This organization offers a Women’s Sailing Workshop Series from May to September, a program specifically created for and taught by women.
• Go snorkeling on a guided tour or on your own. The water temperatures average 82 degrees in the spring and summer (and 56 degrees in the winter), so there’s never a “bad” time to explore Alabama’s turquoise-blue waters.
• Ride a foil board. Most people have heard of stand-up paddleboarding, but foil boarding is becoming an increasingly popular water sport. Using a small surfboard with a hydrofoil (winged fin), riders sit a few feet above the surface and get the sensation of flying.
• Enjoy a relaxing evening on the water with a sunset sail or dolphin-watching cruise.
• Hang out poolside at the resorts and condos in the destination.
• STAY: At The Beach Club, which sits steps from the water. Accommodations here include Gulf-front condos and lakeside cottages.
Solo Travelers Who Love: ARTS & CULTURE
• Spend time at Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach, a waterfront art experience facing Wolf Bay. Here, solo travelers can enjoy the fine arts gallery, blow glass in the Hot Shop or make a creation in the Clay Studio.
• Attend a festival. The Orange Beach Festival of Arts takes place each March and considers itself the island’s first rite of spring. The fine art and design show is free to attend and features a celebration of visual, literary, performing, musical and culinary arts. Save the date: The 52nd annual Orange Beach Festival of Art is set for March 14-15, 2026. A list of annual festivals can be found here.
• Dive into the food and beverage scene. Part of the culture of any destination is its food and drink experiences … and this region is known for its own signature drink, the bushwacker. The traditionally creamy, frozen cocktail – which originated in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1975 and came to Florida shortly thereafter – has become synonymous with Alabama’s Beaches. The region boasts a Bushwacker Trail and, in celebration of the drink’s 50th anniversary this year, restaurants and bars all along coastal Alabama are joining in on the fun with celebratory flavors. With countless culinary experiences in this destination, it would be easy (and delicious) to focus your trip on a foodie getaway.
• STAY: At Perdido Beach Resort, which is home to one-of-a-kind dining experience Voyagers, overseen by its award-winning executive chef, Brody Olive.
For more information and to plan a solo visit to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama, visit www.AlabamasBeaches.com.
###
About Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism:
