Learn About Wildlife & Marine Life
in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
The Alabama Gulf Coast is one of the most biodiverse areas in the country, with over 4,500 species and a wide range of habitats. The raw beauty of the destination attracts so many people each year seeking a scenic trip in a natural, coastal setting. While vacationers are guaranteed to see gulls and shorebirds while on the beach, there are lots of other unique creatures that call Alabama’s Beaches home. Discover local wildlife, including dolphins, birds, marine life, and other critters, at these spots in and around Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
Best Wildlife Experiences By Interest
- For marine life sightseeing: Dolphin Cruises & Gulf State Park Pier
- For birdwatchers: Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge & Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
- For families with kids: Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, The Nature Center, The Learning Campus, Sea View Tours, & The Estuarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab
- For marsh/swamp wildlife: Airboat Adventures in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta and Alligator Alley
Where to See Wildlife & Marine Life
Dolphin Cruises
Dolphin Cruises
Dolphin cruises are one of the best ways to enjoy dolphin watching while learning more about the marine life and coastal waters of Alabama's Beaches. Enjoy the smooth waters of Wolf Bay, Orange Beach back bays and the Gulf while observing marine mammals in their natural habitat. Ask for the onboard guide to help identify specific bottlenose dolphins. Your knowledgeable captain will share facts about the local marine life and navigate to the most active estuarine waters.
Wildlife You Might Spot: Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins, Brown Pelicans, Ospreys, and occasionally sea turtles or flying fish playing in the boat's wake.
Gulf State Park's Nature Center
Gulf State Park's Nature Center
Gulf State Park's Nature Center provides opportunities to learn about plants and animals native to this region of Alabama. This living museum is free and provides a family-friendly nature experience focused on native wildlife, marine life, and coastal ecosystems. The park’s naturalists host daily talks where guests can get an up-close look at some of the center’s feathered and scaly residents. Children and adults are welcome to tag along for these discovery sessions that lead to a better understanding of coastal wildlife and their ties to nature.
Wildlife You Might Spot: Native owls, hawks, turtles, snakes, and baby alligators
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
Perhaps one of the best resources available on the Alabama Gulf Coast for learning about local wildlife, protected coastal habitat, and migratory birds is the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. The name Bon Secour is French for safe harbor, fitting for this sanctuary of sorts. The refuge boasts four walking and hiking trails, lookout points, and a kayak launch.
During your beach vacation, be sure to stop by the refuge office and talk to their knowledgeable staff about the area's plants and wildlife. Bon Secour is home to more than 360 species of migratory birds and serves as a refuge for endangered or threatened wildlife. Some of Alabama's last remaining undisturbed coastal barrier habitat is encompassed within Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, and sea turtles find it nest-worthy year after year. This scenic area is a rich resource for those seeking to learn more about coastal wildlife and habitats.
Wildlife You Might Spot: Over 360 species of birds (including vibrant neotropical migrants in spring and fall), Great Blue Herons, Snowy Plovers, and the endangered Alabama Beach Mouse.
Gulf State Park Pier
Gulf State Park Pier
One of the longest in the Gulf, the Gulf State Park Fishing & Education Pier is an amazing spot for fishing, sightseeing, and spotting marine life. While walking along the pier, guests can look down into the water and see Gulf fish, small sharks, stingrays, and even jellyfish. On the pier itself, hungry pelicans and blue herons walk up and down waiting for a snack. While the pier is open all year, spring migration brings lots of desirable species towards the shore, and the pier becomes an angling hot spot. The pier’s observation deck is a prime spot to watch wildlife, marine life, and anglers.
What You Might Spot: Fish, stingrays, small sharks, jellyfish, pelicans, and blue herons.
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
If petting a sloth or hanging out with a sloth are on your bucket list, then the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is just the ticket. The zoo offers several animal encounters to learn about exotic wildlife as well as regional species like black bears, alligators, possums, and reptiles. Families can delight in unique opportunities to get up close to giraffes, tortoises, lemurs, sloths, and more in a fun, nurturing environment focused on animal conservation.
Wildlife You Might Spot: Exotic bucket-list animals like primates, sloths, giraffes, and tigers, alongside various reptiles and primates.
Sea View Kayak Tours
Sea View Kayak Tours
Daytime isn’t the only time to spot local wildlife. After the sun goes down, nocturnal animals like ghost crabs come out to play. Sea View Tours at the Caribe Marina leads fun nighttime excursions in clear, lighted kayaks. Kayakers venture to Bird Island to scour the sand for these small and fast critters running along the shoreline. The short paddle offers a calm and quiet ride, perfect for adults and kids.
Wildlife You Might Spot: Ghost crabs, shorebirds, and migratory birds
The Learning Campus
The Learning Campus
Nestled in Gulf State Park, The Learning Campus is another fantastic place to find free and hands-on programs. This educational hot spot regularly hosts interactive sessions on the local natural environment, covering topics ranging from turtles and dolphins to constellations and archaeology. Guests can also take part in guided walks and bike rides led by the park’s naturalists throughout Gulf State Park.
Wildlife You Might Spot: Baby alligators, snakes, hawks, and owls
The Estuarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab
The Estuarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab
The Estuarium is a great place for hands-on marine biology education and exploring the habitats of Alabama's Gulf Coast. The fourth-largest estuary system in the US, visitors will love the sea lab’s informative visual exhibits and the stingray touch pool. A trek along the living marsh boardwalk treats nature lovers to an up-close look at coastal wetlands, local animals, and plant species. (Note: take the ferry from Fort Morgan to Dauphin Island for extra fun.)
Wildlife You Might Spot: Cownose stingrays, horseshoe crabs, seahorses, octopuses, jellyfish, blue crabs, and local estuarine fish like red drum and flounder.
Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
Winding throughout Gulf State Park, the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail is a 28-mile-long, paved trail system made for walking, running, biking, and hiking. This expansive trail covers all nine distinct ecosystems of the park, giving visitors numerous opportunities to spot native wildlife and migratory birds. Species such as bobcats, gopher tortoises, bald eagles, armadillos, otters, and osprey live in the park. A commonly spotted animal and local celebrity, Lefty, an American alligator, can often be seen on the Rosemary Dunes Trail just East of the Cross Park Trail intersection.
Wildlife You Might Spot: American alligators, armadillos, bobcats, bald eagles, birds of prey, gopher tortoises, river otters, raccoons, red foxes, soft-shelled turtles, water birds.
Airboat Adventures in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta
Airboat Adventures in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta
Those seeking an exciting water experience will love Airboat Adventures in nearby Spanish Fort. Venturing through swampy waterways, marsh habitats, and delta ecosystems rather than beaches, these tours offer a different side of coastal Alabama. During the ride, guests can see alligators, birds, turtles, and other wetland species in their natural habitats. Cruising through the Mobile-Tensaw Delta on an airboat adds thrill to this unique educational experience.
Wildlife You Might Spot: American alligators, Bald Eagles, river otters, Alabama red-bellied turtles, and a wide variety of coastal wading birds.
Alligator Alley
Alligator Alley
Alligator Alley in nearby Summerdale is perfect for learning about apex predators! Take a nature walk on the elevated boardwalk where more than 450 alligators (from hatchlings to mature adults) can be seen in their natural habitat. Visitors will also enjoy seeing other native wildlife, such as turtles, ospreys, owls and bullfrogs. There are opportunities inside the gator station to actually hold baby reptiles and learn all about these fabulous creatures.
Wildlife You Might Spot: Hundreds of American alligators (ranging from tiny hatchlings you can hold to mature 13-foot adults), native turtles, bullfrogs, owls, and nesting ospreys.
Explore the
Alabama’s Gulf Coast is home to numerous species of marine and wildlife that you can see when you visit Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. You can see some Gulf Shores and Orange Beach marine life by taking a tour who are trained to view marine life like dolphins and teach you all about this jumping neighbor. Certified coastal nature guides are trained to tell you the story of the nature of Alabama’s coast.r45
Alabama's Beaches
These blogs are written by the destination experts at Alabama's Beaches. From the best restaurants and hidden gems to tips and tricks for making the most of your stay, our knowledgable team has the lowdown on our area.
