Easy Access to Gulf Coast Waters
by David Rainer
Access to the water is increasingly important to those who wish to spend a day on their boat cruising the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast or angling for the abundant inshore and offshore species of fish.
Alabama’s beaches are home to plenty of launch sites and marinas for boaters to set sail.
Gulf Shores
Canal Park launch is located under the Hwy. 59 (W.C. Holmes) bridge at 200 East 24th Ave. The single-lane launch is lighted with 34 paved parking spots. Restrooms are available.
Lagoon Park launch, known locally as Mo’s Landing, is located on State Hwy. 180, 2 miles west of Ala. Hwy. 59. The double-lane ramp features three docks and lighting. The facility has 25 parking spots and restrooms.
The Fort Morgan boat launch is available next to the new Fort Morgan Pier, which is expected to open this summer if you're heading to Fort Morgan. The launch has two ramps, and parking is currently being expanded. If you own a boat that doesn’t draft much water, the Pines Boat Launch, with a ramp and a dock, has been repaired and recently reopened.
Orange Beach
Cotton Bayou launch is located on the north side of Perdido Beach Blvd., about a quarter-mile east of State Hwy. 161. The double-lane ramp is located directly across Perdido Beach Boulevard from the Cotton Bayou Beach Access.
The Boggy Point launch is located at the end of Marina Road, just off State Hwy. 161. The renovated launch features new docks and ramps and paved parking.
Boaters should soon be able to launch their boats at the new $17 million launch park in Orange Beach on the Intracoastal Waterway just west of The Wharf. Construction on the boat ramps is being reworked after issues were discovered with the concrete ramps and piers. When repaired, the vast 47-acre property will have more than 1,700 feet of water frontage, six boat launches, 200 lighted boat and trailer parking spaces, 84 lighted passenger car spaces, six covered pavilions with picnic table seating, a 20-foot by 30-foot grand pavilion, eight restrooms with more than a half-mile of sidewalks and boardwalks. Plans are to add walking trails, wooden bridges and fishing piers.
If you want to launch in upper Perdido Bay, head to Josephine Park on Josephine Drive off Old County Road 95. The ramp has two lands with 10-plus parking spots, a dock at the ramp and a T dock nearby.
For those who love to leave their boats in the water or dry storage at or near the beach, the area offers numerous marinas with excellent amenities.
Between Wolf Bay and Perdido Bay is Barber Marina, located at the end of Fish Trap Road in Elberta. The marina’s amenities include a 9-acre boatyard, 185 wet slips, 400 inside dry-storage slips, 20 outside dry-storage slips, yacht repair facility, boat and outboard service center, ship store with marine gasoline and diesel, and a new and used boat sales center.
Orange Beach Marina on Marina Road in Orange Beach has been rated among the top facilities on the Gulf Coast with 161 in-water slips, boat repair, fuel and fine dining at Fischer’s Upstairs and Fisher’s Dockside. The marina is home to numerous boats in Alabama’s charter fleet.
Reel Surprise Marina is located at San Roc Cay on Perdido Beach Blvd. In Orange Beach. It offers charter boat trips for groups or walk-ons.
Harbor Marina on Marina Road is the largest watersport rental facility, with more than 50 vessels available. The marina also offers boat dry storage as well as fuel and a fully stocked dock store.
Romar Marina on Cotton Bayou Drive features dry storage, wet slips, a dock store, fuel dock, repairs and service, and permanent and temporary storage.
Caribe Marina and Watersports on Perdido Beach Blvd. in Orange Beach offers charter trips, jet ski and boat rentals, dolphin and sightseeing tours and parasailing.
Safe Harbor Sportsman Marina on Canal Road in Orange Beach offers dry storage for up to 40-foot vessels, charter boat trips, wet slips and Playa, a waterside restaurant.
Zeke’s Landing Marina is known for its charter boat fleet and catching Alabama’s premier fish species – red snapper. Zeke’s has dry storage, dock and bait shop, restaurant and dolphin cruises.
Hudson Marina on South Wilson Road in Orange Beach is home of the $59 party boat fishing trip. If you want to extend the trip from four hours to six hours, the marina will combine passengers for $125 per person.
Homeport Marina is located on the Intracoastal Waterway next to LuLu’s Restaurant in Gulf Shores. The marina has 76 wet slips with all the expected amenities.
View this interactive map of launch and marina facilities to learn more.
Whether you want to launch your own boat from a public ramp or marina or find a fishing trip or dolphin cruise, don’t hesitate to plan your trip to the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast today.
