One of the best things about traveling to Alabama's Gulf Coast is the natural beauty it holds for families that visit our area. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have pristine white beaches, beautiful gulf waters, as well as our laid-back atmosphere, makes for an unbeatable combination. Your family vacation to our area will certainly be one to remember. We have a wide variety of actvities available for vacationers of all ages. Please visit our Where To page to see where vacationers have an opportunity to play golf, eat fresh seafood, go deep sea fishing or simply relax on the beach.
Alabama's Gulf Coast is anchored by the City of Gulf Shores. Everyone who visits our gulf coast will tell you that we are one of America's top vacation spots and one of the best kept secrets. Gulf Shores has controlled its growth over the past 50 years and is one of the most admired coastal communities. City officials and our Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau work very hard to maintain a wholesome family atmosphere. Your family is safe when you visit our area.
Please use the travel information provided below to assist you in planning your next Alabama Gulf Coast Vacation.
Being a commercial rated aircraft pilot, I try to stay aware of the current trends in aviation and look for the best mode of transportation for those families that want to travel to our gulf coast. I am still convinced that commercial aviation is the safest way to travel long distances. As our business grows each year, we are proud to support the Pensacola Gulf Regional Airport in nearby Pensacola, Florida.
More and more of our customers are coming from areas that are further than a 10 and 12 hour drive. If you live further away and want to fly, please read this airline information below.
AirTran with 3 daily flights from Atlanta
American Airlines and American Eagle has 5 daily flights from Dallas with over 250 daily seats.
Continental Express offers 5 flights on their Regional Jets, daily from Houston ICO and has over 250 daily seats.
Continental Connection offers 4 daily flights to Tampa on its Turbo Prop and has 3 flights to Orlando.
US Airways Express offers 3 daily flights to Charlotte.
Delta has 3 flights on their Md80 to Atlanta and 1 flight on their Boeing 757 with over 600 daily seats.
Little Delta or ASA (Atlantic Southeast Airlines) has 5 flights a day that are direct to Atlanta on their regional jets.
Northwest Air link offers 3 direct flights daily nonstop to Memphis with over 150 seats.
We are located about 45 minutes away from the Pensacola airport. Some days it takes about 1 hour to 1.5 hours to drive the short distance.
Your Gulf Shores, sportfishing guide service is docked at the Orange Beach Marina, 27075 Marina Road. Orange Beach, Alabama 36561. Orange Beach Marina is just east off of Al Hwy 161 which is known as the road from Canal Road to the Beach in Orange Beach. We are 8 miles East of Gulf Shores, Alabama and directly between Mobile, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida.
We have easy access from Interstate 10 from Loxley, Alabama or from Pensacola, Florida. If you are driving to Gulf Shores from Mobile, Alabama via Interstate 10, you need to exit “Loxley" exit 44 south on Alabama Hwy 59. You will go through Robertsdale, Summerdale and Foley before getting into Gulf Shores or Orange Beach.
Take Alabama Hwy 182 (the beach road) for 8 miles into Orange Beach. At the Publix Shopping center, get in the left turning lane. At the Red Light at the intersection of HWY 161, turn left. Go around the curve to the first red light. Turn right on Marina Road. Go 1.1 miles and Orange Beach Marina is on the left.
Driving from Fort Morgan: Go East into Gulf Shores. Turn Right on Hwy 59. Go to hwy 182 (at the T), Turn Left on Hwy 182 in Gulf Shores. Go 8 miles East until you get into Orange Beach. At the Red Light at the intersection of HWY 161, turn left. Go around the curve to the first red light. Turn right on Marina Road. Go 1.1 miles and Orange Beach Marina is on the left.
Driving from Perido Key Florida: Go West a few miles until you cross the big bridge. Go about 2 miles until you come to a red light. Turn right at the intersection of HWY 161. Rite Aid Drug Store is on the right. Go around the curve until you come to the first red light. Turn right on Marina Road. Go 1.1 miles. Orange Beach Marina is on the left.
Go south on Alabama Highway 59 through Loxley, Robertsdale, Summerdale and straight through Foley, Alabama all the way to the Gulf of Mexico, located in Gulf Shores, Alabama. You need to turn left and go 8 miles east to the city of Orange Beach on Hwy 182.
If you are staying in Orange Beach, you can turn left just north of Foley, Alabama onto the Foley Beach Express. There is a $3.50 Toll Fee for a two axle car or truck that is located at the south end of the expressway. Just after you pay the toll bridge fee, you will cross the intracoastal canal bridge beside the wharf shopping center. You will need to turn left onto hwy 180 and follow it for about 4 miles until you get to Alabama Highway 161 Red Light. At 161, you can turn right and go approximately 1 mile. Turn left at the red light on Marina Road. Go 1.1 miles east and the Orange Beach Marina will be on your left.
As soon as you pull into the Orange Beach Marina, turn right and park in the charter boat parking lot. Walk west toward the restaurants and dock store. Go out to the Orange Beach Marina dock store and stay on the left side of the store. The charter boat is on the left finger pier in slip E11 or the third one down on the left.