Parasailing ride over the Gulf in Orange Beach

5 Thrill Seeker Excursions

in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

There are plenty of fantastic options for thrilling things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach that would impress even the most daring explorer. From extreme sports on the water to different ways to fly above the beaches, you can definitely get your adrenaline pumping around here.

With so many miles of coastline along bays and backwaters, there's more than ample space for action-packed pursuits on your next adventurous vacation. Daring activities may be lesser known than the area's relaxing attractions. But, as an adventure seeker, I found lots of unique things to do on Alabama's Beaches!

Adrenaline-Rushing Adventures on Alabama's Beaches

Boy foil boarding on the water in Orange Beach
1

Take an eFoil Lesson

Take an eFoil Lesson

There's no better way to get a thrill than by floating silently across the top of the water on what feels like a magic carpet, and that's exactly the experience you get on an eFoil. At Foil Gulf Coast, you can learn how to do one of the most unique board sports out there.

First, learn how to use the remote and how to get up to your knees, slowly balancing your weight. Then, try it on the water. Eventually, stand up with confidence and cruise all the way across the bay on your eFoil, visiting different sights and marveling at the views as you perfect your skills. Trust us, you'll be hooked in no time!

woman taking a helicopter ride over the beach with Lost Bay Helicopters in Gulf Shores
2

Get a Unique Perspective on a Helicopter Tour

Get a Unique Perspective on a Helicopter Tour

While it's already impressive to marvel at the bays, beaches, rivers, bayous, and inlets of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach from the ground, the most awe-inspiring and thrilling way to appreciate the views of the region is from the sky.

Embarking on a helicopter tour will allow you to appreciate the full magnificence of these varied coastlines from a sweeping aerial perspective while hovering, zooming, and getting up close to some of the most amazing sights. Lost Bay Helicopters is veteran-owned and offers some of the most customizable scenic flights over the gorgeous emerald waters of Alabama's Beaches.

Man riding a jet ski rental from Flora-Bama Marina & Watersports in Orange Beach
3

Zoom Around with a Jet Ski Rental

Zoom Around with a Jet Ski Rental

Of all the adventurous ways to explore the waterways of Alabama's Beaches, jet skiing is definitely one of the best. A tried-and-tested thrill-seeker favorite, Jet Skis allow you to zip and zoom across the surface at speed, making your own waves as you visit destinations around the bays with ease.

One of the best places to rent your Jet Skis is Flora-Bama Marina & Watersports. This location has a perfect entrance point to some of the best areas of Orange Beach to explore. After you're finished adventuring, you can return the Jet Skis and enjoy a well-deserved and delicious seafood dinner at the Flora-Bama Yacht Club next door!

Couple parasailing with Ike's above the beach in Gulf Shores
4

Get Sky High by Going Parasailing

Get Sky High by Going Parasailing

Get a bird's eye view in a slightly different way by going on a thrilling parasailing adventure. You can float hundreds of feet over Alabama’s Beaches with the wind breezing through your toes, as you spot pods of dolphins and other wildlife from an unbeatable vantage point.

Sky Surfer is one of my favorite companies to parasail with, or as they say, surf in the sky! Jump onboard their safety-certified boat and follow their expert lead as they find the best views in the whole area — and the area has a LOT of great views!

Magni Gyroflight in Gulf Shores
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Try a MagniFlight

Try a MagniFlight

For one of the most unique and thrilling things to do on Alabama's Beaches, which also allows you to have a bird's eye view of the incredible scenery, a Magni Gyroplane flight is just the idea. What's that, you may ask? These distinctive aircraft resemble a helicopter and a small plane, with a rotating airfoil and a tail fin.

They are experimental but very safe and stable in that they are unaffected by turbulence and wind. With Magni Gyroflight, you can opt for a tandem gyroplane flight where you will sit behind the pilot or a side-by-side flight for 20, 40, or 60 minutes. In each option, you will be connected to the pilot via headset and be able to see extraordinary views of the Alabama coastline from the sky.

Watch Kimmie Connor's Reel

Alabama Beaches are the perfect spot for thrill-seekers! During her visit, travel blogger Kimmie Connor experienced some of the most exciting and unique activities available on our shores.

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On the

water

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach are known for beautiful beaches that keep visitors coming back time and time again. There are so many Gulf Shores & Orange Beach water activities for visitors to try, whether they want to stay on the surface, dive below, or maybe even soar above. The back bays, lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico offer you a variety of fun aquatic activities to enjoy.

Trip Planning Resources

Your journey to Alabama's Beaches begins here.

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