Friends boating on Alabama's Beaches in a pink boat

Water Sports & Activities

In Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

View Listings

Scroll to Continue

Find Water Activities

play_arrowYouTube Video Thumbnail

Water

Sports

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are the perfect beach getaways filled with fun and unique beach and water activities. Mother Nature provides the setting; our local outfitters provide the equipment and know-how. Bridge the Gulf with these water sports and adventures this vacation.

SUP Orange Beach
Boating in Orange Beach
Ike's Parasailing

Endless Possibilities

Some paddlers love the challenge of kayaking in open water, others prefer the quiet of inland waterways. You can have it both ways with Orange Beach and Gulf Shores kayaking, with launches from the Bon Secour River and along the back bays of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores’ Little Lagoon.

Parasailing combines boating and flying all rolled into one. Wearing a parasail, you’re pulled along by boat until you reach an altitude of about 800 feet. Then you coast over all the beach action, taking in the spectacular scenery of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Coming down is a breeze as well. The captain slows the boat until you gently float back onto the boat. No stress included when you go parasailing in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores!

Riding a Jet Ski puts you in charge of a motorized water vehicle. Seat one or two passengers and zoom across the waves, creating a cool wake behind you. Those with the need for speed can go full throttle, or slow it down to look for dolphins on a Jet Ski tour.

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are major capitals of Gulf Coast diving and spotting old wrecks. The waters of coastal Alabama are home to dozens of artificial reefs created by intentionally scuttled ships, tugs, barges and tanks. Not certified? No problem! Local scuba shops offer instruction and can get you certified in no time.

You’ll find boats of every size and style sailing through the waves with Orange Beach and Gulf Shores boat rentals available at local marinas. Families and friends can opt for double-decker pontoon boats (some come with slides) or party boats built for fun and relaxation as groups head out toward the horizon together. Explore the uninhabited gems of Robinson and Bird Islands only accesibile by boat.

Surfing and Boarding

There are beach equipment rentals aplenty for those who want to hang 10 in the Gulf or skim the waves on a boogie board. The popular Stand-Up Paddling (SUP) is huge here as well, with folks heading out on Gulf waters or propelling themselves across tranquil inland waterways to enjoy some sightseeing as they glide along. Then there’s the madness of banana boating. A group of six is pulled behind a motorized boat on a large inflatable cat-style “double banana.” Hold on tight!

Alabama's Instagrammable Moments

Girl swimming in ocean

Trip Planning Resources

Your journey to Alabama's Beaches begins here.

Where Your Journey Begins
Sign Up for Our eNewsletter
Find Your Perfect Place to Stay
Book Now

You May Also Like

See All Blog Posts