Your perfect getaway is closer than you think. Within a few short hours, you could be lounging on Alabama’s spectacular Gulf Coast, soaking up thirty-two miles of the whitest sand, most sparkling blue water and friendliest people you could ever dream of. But the appeal of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach extends far beyond the glistening sand and smiling faces. This is a place where you can find a spot on the beach that’s all yours. It’s a place where you can stand, toes in the water, with only flocks of pelicans interrupting expansive views of the Gulf. Where you can choose from luxury hotel suites, top-notch condominiums or a variety of beach houses

Alabama’s Gulf Coast is one of the most-loved family-friendly destinations in the Southeast. It has been voted one of the top three favorite beach towns/resorts by Southern Living readers for 11 of the past 13 years.

Whether vacationing with family, escaping with the one you love or spending a week golfing with the guys, Alabama’s Gulf Coast offers the perfect balance of non-stop activity and lay-around-doing-nothing time. Putter around a bit on one of ten championship golf courses, where the allure of a perfectly maintained fairway is enhanced by the taste of salt spray on your lips. Cast your line on a deep-sea adventure, dreaming of the one that won’t get away. Travel back in time with a visit to Fort Morgan, the site of the Civil War Battle of Mobile Bay. Or shop ‘til you drop at outlet stores, antique shops and one-of-a-kind boutiques.

Fishing

Saltwater fishing is popular at Orange Beach, home to one of the largest fishing fleets on the Gulf coast. More than 100 boats are available for charter and equipped with electronic fish-finding devices. Freshwater fishing is also a favorite pastime along waterways in the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area particularly in Lake Shelby at Gulf State Park and on the Bon Secour River. A fishing license is required to fish in any public waters - freshwater or saltwater.

Golfing

For off-the-beach activities, hitting the links at one of the championship golf courses is an exciting outing for the duffer and pro alike. The courses are convenient and affordable. The area offers 288 holes of championship golfing within an hour's drive. The region's sub-tropical climate is perfect for year-round play, making Alabama's Gulf Coast a golfer's paradise.

Exploring History and Nature

For a relaxing nature walk, the 7,000-acre Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge offers more than two miles of beach accessible by nature trails. The refuge provides a protected habitat for the region's wildlife. Fort Morgan, a site of defense in the War of 1812, Civil War, Spanish-American War and World Wars I and II is a must-see. The spring and fall bird migrations and the bird banding at Fort Morgan are a nature lover's delight.  The fall migration of the monarch butterflies is an added bonus.

Come to Alabama’s beautiful beaches and discover what you need most.