Boaters Guide for the Best Places to go by Water or by Boat in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Perdido Key
So you bought a boat – or at least rented one, now what do you do and where do you go? Exploring the Alabama Gulf Coast and Florida Panhandle by boat is the best way to have an unique experience. Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Perdido Key have some amazing beach front and back water places for really enjoyable stops. Regardless if you go by paddle, sail or motor these fun locations make a wonderful beach vacation even better.
This area was significantly affected by Hurricane Sally in 2020. Most marinas in the area were destroyed. Please check individual websites before arriving to make sure the marinas and restaurants are open and not under construction.
How to get a Boat
The best way to get a boat is always, always, always – make friends with the people that already have a boat. Everything else is complicated. If you’ve been lurking around the beach bars and haven’t had any luck the next best option is to rent a boat. There are several pontoon boat rental companies in the area as well as kayak and wave runner rental companies. Most of these companies only allow you to take the rental within a certain area which will limit the amount you can explore but it’s still a really fun experience.
The last option is to buy a boat yourself. This isn’t always the best way – we’re on our tenth boat ownership as I write. We love boats but we also know boats are just as much work as they are play.
Boating in Gulf Shores
Gulf Shores has beautiful white sand beaches but not as many easy areas for boating.
Gulf Shores by Water
West Beach Lagoon
The lagoon in west beach (boat launch at Mo’s Landing) but handle small boats – things like hobbie cats, wave runners and kayaks. It’s nice for ski boats and small fishing too but you do have to be careful. Many areas can get shallow fast.
Gulf Shores Canal
The canal is another entrance point to the water. Access is under the bridge for smaller boats. The canal connects Mobile Bay to Wolf Bay. It’s long and straight without many stopping points. The bay areas to the west (Oyster Bay and Bon Secour Bay) are calm and good for back water fishing but not my favorite for swimming – darker water, and alligators.
Gulf Shores Restaurants by Water
There are a few good restaurants in Gulf Shores with boat access.
LuLu’s – Lulu’s is the most popular and is located just across from the canal boat access. Lulu’s is not just a restaurant, it’s music, a bar, beach arcade, ropes course and shopping.
Tacky Jacks and Acme Oyster House are across the street on the same side as the boat launch. This area of Gulf Shores is called the Waterway Village and has some shops and galleries that you can walk to as well as a Big Beach Brewery. This area of Gulf Shores is less touristy, more laid back and more local.
Orange Beach by Water
There are several main water areas of Orange Beach for activities and relaxing. The first is the Wolf Bay area. The second area is Terry Cove and Perdido Pass Area. The third main area is along the Alabama/Florida line. Each has a completely differrent experience.
Orange Beach Wolf Bay Area
This area of water is a collection of bays north of canal road and up to Elberta. The bays are Wolf Bay, Bay La Launch and Arnica Bay. This area is nice for sailing and quieter water. Sunsets here are amazing. We generally like to find a quiet spot, drop anchor and set out floats. There is not a great way to get access to this area unless you are a member of a neighborhood with a boat ramp. The closest drop in point by water (but a ways out by land) is Josephine Boat Ramp and is usually the one we use since it’s not very crowded.
The Warf (going West to East)
The Warf is an entertainment and shopping complex in west Orange Beach. Here you’ll find concerts, many food choices and several festivals including some large fishing festivals. There are movie theaters and a ferris wheel too
GT’s on the Bay
GT’s is located near the Orange Beach Library, Wind and Water Sailing school, and Waterfront Park. GT’s has a really fun outdoor dining and playing area that is perfect for restless kids (and adults). The menu is tasty too.
Waterfront Park
The Waterfront Park is an area on the bay with a playground, pier, beautiful art gallery, hot shop, and room to roam. The library and Wind and Water Sailing Center are nearby as well.
Bear Point Marina and Flippers Restaurant
Bear Point Marina is a fun place to pull up the boat, watch the sunset and have a good meal. The restaurant has changed several times in the last 30 years but it’s always good.
Pirates Cove
Pirates Cove on the north side of the bay is a high priority stop for most boaters in the area. There is a small very shallow beach that is fun for kids and a nice place for the adults to enjoy a bushwacker. Weekends generally have good bands and the atmosphere is fun, laid back and friendly. Neighborhood and boat dogs rule at Pirates Cove – the dogs are not allowed inside the restaurant grounds but they’re also notorious for not reading the signs either.
Pirates Cove also as several fun events including a wooden boat show and autism fundraisers. Don’t waste your time reading too far in to the menu – get a burger, they’re great.
Near Pirates Cove is Barber Marina. Currently it’s being rebuilt. It’s a nice marina but far from most adventures. It is near Bama-henge (if you have a car to explore the area).
Perdido Pass / Terry Cove area of Orange Beach by Water
This area is the most popular are for boaters. It has easy access to the Gulf if you’re looking to go deep sea fishing. There are many restaurants and there is access to a beach. The main boat launch is Boggy Point Boat Launch. Honestly, unless you go at a very off time or mid-week, this launch can be a mess. It’s way too small for the traffic that wants to drop off here. There is also very little parking. We tend to go in the afternoon as others are leaving for the best chance at a smooth experience. We also at times will drop of the boat, park the trailer at a friends house then have them drop us back off. Be careful where you park, you will get towed if you are not in a correct spot. It’s a great launch in October in November, but I wouldn’t even attempt this launch in a weekend in July.
Cotton Bay Launch is another option for smaller boats. It will take longer to get to the islands but you may have a better experience getting in and out of the water.
Robinson and Bird Island
Robinson and Bird Island used to be two quiet islands near the Perdido Pass bridge where you could easily and quietly spend the day relaxing with a few other and the family. Now especially on a mid-suummer weekend, it’s can be a loud and crowded mess. It’s still worth going but don’t expect too much peace and quiet. Robinson tends to be the side with the loud music and over-indulgence. Bird Island can be quieter. We like to go during the week, shoulder season or 2-6 pm mid summer.
Please note that these islands are very important for bird breeding and baby fish. Only take your boat in marked areas. Do not go all the way between the islands in to the nesting grounds.
Terry Cove / Cotton Bayou / Perdido Pass Area Restaurants by Water
There are several restaurants in the area that are accessible by water.
Tacky Jacks: Cotton Bayou – Tacky Jacks has been in Orange Beach and a boaters favorite stop as long as I remember.
Fishers: Orange Beach Marina – Upstairs fine dining but lower floor is more low key for coming off of the boat.
Cobalt: Perdido Pass and very near Robinson and Bird Island. Coastal Cuisine / Seafood
Anchor Bar and Grill: North Terry Cove – relaxing restaurant and beach bar with a small sandy beach
Playa Restaurant: Sportsman’s Marina – Seafood, steaks and taco
Flora-Bama
The Flora-Bama is a famous beach bar that stratles the Florida/Alabama State Lines. The beach side is usually all beach bar with some extra events thrown in. There is music, drinks and usually a lot of people from all walks of life.
The Sunday church service is fun addition if you want something other than the full Alabama Beach Bar experience.
The Flora-Bama marina and bay side restaurant has boat rentals as well as a sandy beach, cocktails and food. It’s a relaxing place to spend a few hours and hosts some festivals.
East Orange Beach / West Perdido Key Florida by Water
One of my other favorite places to spend the day on the water are the islands east of Ono Island. These islands have changed shape pretty dramatically over the last few years. There were 4, now there are 3. They use to have nice expansive beaches, now the beaches go very close to the trees. They are also more difficult to reach with larger boats since there are shallow areas around each island. Even with all this, I still enjoy them.
Galvaz Landing Boat Launch and Hub Stacey’s at the Point
The Galvaz Landing Boat Launch is one of the easier places to drop in a boat and get fast access to the water. It’s a very short ride to the islands east of Ono from here. Hub Stacy’s at the Point is a wonderful restaurant to enjoy at the end of a long boating day.
Sunset Grill
Sunset Grill is one of my favorite stops during a long boat day in the sun. Just order the lightly blackened fish sandwiches (or a taco if you prefer), key lime pie, a large tea and a Margarita … and that sunset. Perfect. If it’s busy, then order to go and eat on the boat.
Oyster Bar
The Oyster Bar is near Perdido Key Bridge and has been in the same spot as long as I remember. We’ve had several larger gatherings here and love to come and go by boat.
West Perdido Key on the Water
The waterways of west Perdido Key are some of my favorite and tend to be less crowded (most of the time) than other areas. Big Lagoon has numerous ways to enjoy the waterfront. There are small coves and areas to drop anchor north of Johnson’s Beach – watch your depth, it changes quickly. You can spend entire day, or several, just floating around and enjoying this beautiful area.
Fort McRee
Fort McRee (not McRea – as I’ve recently seen other places and now I miss-spell even though both versions can be found on historical maps) is a favorite spot for boaters in the area. It’s become very popular and more crowded recently but it’s still beautiful. The north side has a large sandy area from previous dredges with a shallow sandy area that is perfect to set out the beach canvas to spend the day.
The south side has some deeper anchorages and the remains of the battery of Ft. McRee. The main structure has long been washed away by the tides and storms but the remaining structure is still fun to explore. You can also make it down to the Gulf but it’s a little bit of a hike.
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