21 Great Places for Kayaking Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

Explore our waterways along the Coastal Alabama Back Bay Blueway.

December 21, 2020

For the outdoor and water enthusiast looking to enjoy some good paddling, the four trails on the Coastal Alabama Back Bay Blueway each provide unique, educational experiences, fantastic views and a variety of wildlife. Whether you want to see history and nature collide on the Fort Morgan Trail, kayak fish on the Little Lagoon Trail, explore Gulf State Park, or paddle around Robinson and Bird Islands on the Orange Beach/Wolf Bay Trail, you will never lack opportunities for an active adventure on the water around Alabama’s beaches.

If you don’t have your own kayak, canoe or paddleboard, there are several local businesses that will drop off equipment at your accommodations and/or your launch site of choice. You can even book a guided kayak tour with Wild Native and explore Alabama’s coastal bayous and bays. You’ll learn about Cypress swamps, alligators and other wildlife, animal habitats, indigenous plants, the beaches and more.

1. Don’t forget sunscreen. The sun is hot and reflects off the water. Sunburns happen quickly and can ruin a vacation.

2. Stay hydrated. Bring more water than you think you need.

3. Bring a protective bag for cell phones.

4. Bring a plastic bag to collect trash for easy removal at the end of your adventure. Grocery store bags are perfect.

5. Share your float plan with a friend or family member.

Orange Beach & Wolf Bay Launches

Gulf Bay Road
Lat: 30.299232, Long: -87.610352
Location: Canal Road on Wolf Bay
Beach Type: Rocky
Parking: Limited

Graham Creek Preserve
Lat: 30.34847, Long: -87.62774
Location: Wolf Bay Drive on Graham Creek
Beach Type: Marsh
Extra Amenities: Shelters, Water Faucet, Restrooms

Wolf Creek Park
Lat: 30.36469, Long: -87.61913
Location: Hance Lane on Wolf Creek
Beach Type: None
Extra Amenities: Shelter, Porta Potty

Cypress Avenue
Lat: 30.294335, Long: -87.589811
Location: Canal Road on Wolf Bay
Beach Type: Sandy
Parking: Limited

Orange Beach Waterfront Park
Lat: 30.292313, Long: -87.574923
Location: Canal Road on Wolf Bay
Beach Type: Sandy
Extra Amenities: Shelters, Water Faucet, Restrooms

Harrison Park
Lat: 30.298691, Long: -87.554769
Location: Bayou Drive on Bay La Launch
Beach Type: Marsh
Parking: Limited
Note: May damage marsh while launching

Hayden Drive
Lat: 30.309719, Long: -87.519317
Location: Hayden Drive on Arnica Bay
Beach Type: Rocky
Parking: Limited
Note: Launch requires going over rocks

Mississippi Avenue
Lat: 30.301308, Long: -87.516342
Location: Mississippi Avenue on Bayou Saint Johns
Beach Type: Sandy
Parking: Limited
Extra Amenities: Shelter

Look Rook Road
Lat: 30.295148, Long: -87.537155
Location: Look Rook Road on Bayou Saint Johns
Beach Type: Sandy
Parking: Limited

Wilson Boulevard
Lat: 30.291355, Long: -87.558914
Location: Wilson Boulevard on Terry Cove
Beach Type: Sandy
Parking: Limited

Boggy Point Launch
Lat: 30.2842, Long: -87.55461
Location: Marina Road on Cotton Bayou/Terry Cove
Beach Type: None
Parking: Limited to Boat Trailers
Extra Amenities: Porta Potty

Jubilee Point
Lat: 30.279937, Long: -87.564528
Location: Jubilee Point Road on Cotton Bayou
Beach Type: Sandy
Parking: Limited

Cotton Bayou Launch
Lat: 30.271461, Long: -87.583152
Location: No Wake Road on Cotton Bayou
Beach Type: None
Parking: Limited to Boat Trailers
Extra Amenities: Porta Potty

Gulf State Park (GSP) Launches

GSP Nature Center Boat Launch
Lat: 30.26369, Long: -87.64105
Location: Campground Road on Middle Lake
Beach Type: Marsh
Extra Amenities: Shelters, Water Faucet, Restrooms, Boat Rental

Gulf State Park Lake Shelby Park Area
Lat: 30.25312, Long: -87.66513
Location: AL 135 on Lake Shelby
Beach Type: Marsh/Sandy
Extra Amenities: Shelters, Water Faucet, Restrooms, Boat Rental

Gulf State Park Marsh Bridge
Lat: 30.25611, Long: -87.67858
Location: AL 135 on Lake Shelby
Beach Type: Marsh
Parking: Limited

Little Lagoon Launches

Little Lagoon Park (Mo's Landing)
Lat: 30.255117, Long: -87.715727
Location: 18068 Fort Morgan Road on Little Lagoon
Beach Type: None
Extra Amenities: Water Faucet, Restrooms

Little Lagoon Pass Park
Lat: 30.2418, Long: -87.786346
Location: 1660 West Beach Boulevard on Little Lagoon
Beach Type: Sandy
Extra Amenities: Water Faucet, Restrooms

Jeff Friend Kayak Launch
Lat: 30.233184, Long: -87.786346
Location: 13900 AL 180 on Little Lagoon
Beach Type: Marsh/Sandy
Note: Some portage required to launch

Fort Morgan

The Pine Boat Ramp
Lat: 30.23905, Long: -87.89011
Location: AL 180 on Bon Secour Bay
Beach Type: None
Parking: Limited to Boat Trailers

Fort Morgan Boat Ramp
Lat: 30.231494, Long: -88.017778
Location: AL 180 on Mobile Bay
Beach Type: None
Parking: Limited to Boat Trailers
Extra Amenities: Porta Potty