Quick Travel Guide to Pleasure Island, Alabama
Beaches, Restaurants, and Activities in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
Sep 5, 2009
Many Americans don't realize that Alabama shares the Gulf of Mexico, much less that it offers pristine white beaches that rival Florida's top tourist destinations. Any Gulf Coast activity imaginable could be found on Pleasure Island.
Alabama's Gulf Coast stretches nearly 30 miles from the Florida state line, through Orange Beach, into Gulf Shores and the Fort Morgan peninsula. It offers dazzling white-sand shores, calm and clear Gulf water, the Intracoastal Waterway, brackish lagoons and lakes, and an array of flourishing wildlife, not to mention the top-notch entertainment, restaurants, golf courses, and seafood!
The Gulf's Abundant Recreation: Parasailing, Fishing, Jet skiing, and Scuba Diving the Gulf
The destination for the majority of visitors is Pleasure Island's serene beaches. Multiple companies including Ike's Beach Services will deliver and assemble rental beach loungers and umbrellas. If sunbathing, body boarding, and swimming grow tiring, try parasailing!
Charter Fishing and Dolphin Cruises
Charter fishing is popular, affordable, and widely available on Pleasure Island. Many companies work to meet the needs of island guests. SanRoc Cay Marina (in Orange Beach) and others offer private or group fishing tours (and will even clean the catch of the day, right off the boat!).
Additionally, many companies offer dolphin cruises which guarantee a close-up and personal view of native and wild bottlenose dolphins in their own habitat. Some passengers might even spot a rare loggerhead sea turtle or choose to watch the sunrise over the water.
Jet Skiing, Kayaking, and Scuba Diving
Another great idea is a private rental. Jet skis, kayaks, and scuba equipment can be rented for daily use and enjoyed in the Little Lagoon of Gulf Shores, the Intracoastal Waterway, or in the Gulf itself. Down Under Dive Shop is one local business that hosts scuba instruction courses, snorkeling tours, and rental equipment including ocean kayaks.
Family Amusement Parks
Finally, Gulf Shores offers two major summertime amusement parks: Waterville USA, a sprawling water park, and The Track, which includes an arcade, go-carts, bumper boats, and a miniature golf course.
Sport for the Land Lover: Golf in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores
Alabama's Gulf Coast is home to 10 world-class golf courses, conveniently located and varied in design. As a matter of fact, 5 of these are located on the island itself.
Gulf Shores offers customized Stay-N-Play golf vacation packages to allow visiting golf lovers to take full advantage of all the greens the Gulf Coast has to offer.
Live Entertainment and Good Eats on the Alabama Coast
The Wharfin Orange Beach hosts a number of live bands every year in their ampitheatre. In this complex there is also an array of restaurants, bars, a golf course, an indoor miniature golf course, a marina, a movie theatre, and even a ferris wheel. There is also plenty of shopping to be found at The Wharf.
Many restaurants and bars host live music on a nightly basis in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Some of the most famous of these include Lulu's at Homeport and The Hangout, both open-air family restaurants with large stages for live bands. Restaurant guides are useful for choosing from over 100 restaurants in the area.
Many restaurants on Pleasure Island specialize in Gulf seafood preparation, so it's easy to find delicious fish, shrimp, oysters, and crab, with all the fixings.
Additional Links and Resources for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama
Share the Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Program
 |
 |
 |
 |
