Each year, thousands of tourists visit the Alabama coastal town of Orange Beach to take advantage of its family beach vacation opportunities. Orange Beach is the home to several beachfront condos, golf courses and vacation resorts. The city also offers several year-round outdoor and recreational activities to keep you and the family busy.
Scuba Diving
Right off the coast of Alabama are a few sunken ships and artificial reefs perfect for exploring by scuba diving. The Oriskany Reef is just 22 nautical miles southeast of the Pensacola Pass. At a depth of 212 feet, the USS Oriskany is best for an intermediate to advanced diver. During the summer, the water temperature is usually a mild 80-90 degrees. In the winter, water temperatures drop to 55-65 degrees.
Beaches
As its name implies, Orange Beach is home to several coastal beaches. More than half a dozen public access beaches are located along the 15-mile stretch of Orange Beach coast. Go to the beach and enjoy a day of swimming, surfing, jogging or sunbathing. One beach, Orange Beach Waterfront Park, features a fishing pier, covered pavilions, picnic tables, restrooms and a playground. Pets are also welcome at Orange Beach, so bring your dog and walk along one of the hiking trails.
Golf
Orange Beach has one public golf course within the city limits with at least a dozen more within 15 miles of the city center. Orange Beach Golf Center is a nine-hole municipal course with a driving range. The course is open every day from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The driving range stays open until 9 p.m.
Gulf State Park Golf Course, a much larger course, is located just eight miles away from Orange Beach in Gulf Shores. This 18-hole golf course is 6,563 yards with a par of 72. Gulf State Park Golf Course also has a driving range, a putting green, a chipping area and a practice bunker. This course is open daily from 7 a.m. to sunset.
Canoeing
The Orange Beach Canoe Trail is a collection of 10 paddling trails for kayakers and canoeists. The canoe trail offers paddlers a great opportunity to enjoy a day out on the water. The designated landing sites are conveniently located along the Wolf Bay, Bay La Launch, Arnica Bay, Bayou St. John and Cotton Bayou. You should familiarize yourself with the rules of the Orange Beach Canoe Trail before planning your trip. The canoe trail is only open during daylight hours.
Backcountry Hiking
The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail is a huge urban park system developed to offer visitors an opportunity to explore the scenic settings of Gulf State Park. The trail is made up of almost 10 miles of hiking trails. Over 100 plant and animal species are found in the system's five trails, which cross wet and dry pine savannahs, coastal wetlands, forests and dune scrubs. Deer, wild hogs, bobcats, snakes, alligators and more can all be found in the wilderness of the backcountry trail. If you prefer, you can bike the trail instead of walking it. Just be sure to stay on the trail as some areas are off limits to bikers.
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