By Lizz Shepherd
Orange
beach, Alabama, is located on the Gulf Coast, near Pensacola, Florida. A popular tourist destination for the Southeast, Orange Beach offers a number of tours and activities that take advantage of the natural environs and the local wildlife. Fishing, boating and animal-watching tours are among the enriching experiences available in this vacation spot.
Dolphin Tours
Several tour companies in Orange Beach offer dolphin tours. These tours take visitors out on boats around the bay where dolphins frequently feed. The cruises can be taken at sunset to allow visitors to watch the sun setting over the gulf or Wolf Bay as the dolphins jump and dive in the background. L.A. Watersports offers dolphin tours in glass-bottom boats.
L.A.Watersports
25991 W. Perdido Ave.
Orange Beach, AL 36561
(251) 550-8000
Water Activities
Kayaks, canoes, parasails, fishing boats, power boats and jet skis can be rented from several rental companies that operate in Orange Beach. Large boats for deep-sea fishing can be rented as well as small power boats and pontoon boats for parties. Tacky Jacks rents boats, bikes, jet skis, fishing gear and can book diving trips and catering.
Tacky Jacks
27206 Safe Harbor Drive
Ocean Beach, AL 36561
(251) 981-4144
Hot Air Balloon Rides
Hot air balloon trips are available in Orange Beach. Groups travel along the Gulf Coast in directions that are determined by the wind on the day of the ride. L. A. Aloft Ballooning Co. can take three passengers on a 1.5 hour balloon ride along the coast followed by a champagne toast.
L.A. Aloft Ballooning Co.
(251) 981-2628
Adventure Island
Adventure Island is an amusement park that caters to families with activities like go carts, laser tag and miniature golf.
Adventure Island
24559 Perdido Beach Blvd.
Orange Beach, AL 36561
(251) 974-1500
The Wharf
The Wharf is an area along the beach that has plenty of restaurants, shops and attractions. The biggest Ferris wheel in all of the Southeast is located here, as is a movie theater and dozens of shops that are open until late at night.
The Wharf
(877) 942-7325
Mardi Gras
Orange Beach has its own Mardi Gras celebration, complete with a parade. As in New Orleans, float riders toss favors like plastic necklaces and candy from the floats.
Resources
About the Author:
Lizz Shepherd began writing professionally in 1997. She worked as a news reporter before becoming a freelance writer in 2006. She has written for various websites on garden-related matters and other topics and holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Auburn University.
