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Orange Beach Rentals

Have the Best Dolphin Cruise Experience in Gulf Shores

Gulf Shores is tucked along the Alabama Gulf Coast and is the best destination for a dolphin cruise. Watching these lively creatures in their natural habitat is a magical experience for the whole family. Staying in one of the vacation rentals offered by Young’s Suncoast in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach is an exceptional way to enjoy the beauty and charm of the Gulf Coast. Discover the ideal accommodation to suit your needs, whether it’s a beachfront condo with breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico or a spacious house for a memorable family getaway.

Choosing the Best Dolphin Cruise in Gulf Shores for You

The Different Types of Dolphin Cruises

  • Standard Dolphin Cruises: These provide a straightforward experience with abundant dolphin-watching opportunities as you cruise through the waters in Gulf Shores, AL.
  • Sunset Cruises: Enjoy a stunning sunset over the Gulf of Mexico while watching dolphins. These cruises offer a more romantic and scenic experience.
  • Eco-Tours: These tours focus on the natural environment and wildlife of the area, providing educational insights along with dolphin sightings.

The Top 5 Dolphin Cruises Near Gulf Shores, Alabama

  1. Cetacean Cruises: Have the best day ever during a dreamy sunset, eco-tour, or standard dolphin cruise in either Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, AL. The Explorer is fully equipped and can navigate in just two feet of water. There’s an onboard bathroom, and the open bow area is great for taking lovely vacation photos. Cetacean Cruises is also the first tour in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach to receive the Dolphin SMART designation, an important program designed to keep our local dolphin pods safe during commercial tour practices. Additionally, the captain often lets young passengers steer the boat.
  2. The Sunny Lady: Embark on a dolphin-watching adventure starting in Orange Beach’s delightful Wharf entertainment district. Step aboard the Sunny Lady for a cruise that offers unforgettable experiences for the entire family.
  3. Southern Rose Dolphin Cruises: This is one of the best companies in the Gulf Shores for a plethora of water activities, including a serene dolphin cruise. Other activities they offer include parasailing, jet skiing, and boat rentals.
  4. Dolphins Down Under: Embark on a memorable adventure along the Alabama Gulf Coast during a mesmerizing glass-bottom dolphin cruise in Orange Beach.
  5. Sail Wild Hearts: Set one vacation morning aside to plan a sailing adventure on this 53-foot catamaran. This tour takes advantage of calm and serene early morning waters that are perfect for spotting dolphins at play. A variety of other cruises are available when you Sail Wild Hearts. 

Book your stay with Young’s Suncoast to experience the wonders of the Alabama Gulf Coast!

The Ultimate Alabama Coast Fishing Trip

The Alabama Gulf Coast with its pristine waters and abundant marine life, is a fishing enthusiast’s paradise. The Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area offers some of the best fishing trips on the Alabama Coast, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro. This guide by Young’s Suncoast will help you plan the ultimate fishing trip, highlighting the best spots to make your adventure unforgettable.

Young’s Suncoast offers spacious vacation rentals with personalized amenities that give you easy access to the pristine beaches, vibrant local attractions, and natural beauty of the Alabama Gulf Coast. Our vacation rentals in the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area offer a delightful blend of comfort, luxury, and convenience.

The Best Fishing Spots Near Gulf Shores, Alabama

Gulf State Park Pier

Gulf State Park Pier is among the most popular fishing spots on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Stretching into the Gulf of Mexico, it offers ample space for anglers of all skill levels. Here, you can catch various fish, including redfish, Florida pompano, sheepshead, whiting, Spanish mackerel, and flounder.

Perdido Pass

Perdido Pass is a great spot for inshore and offshore fishing located at the Alabama-Florida border. The pass is the gateway to the Gulf of Mexico and other bays, rivers, bayous, and the ocean. This attracts a wide range of fish species like redfish, speckled trout, red snapper, sheepshead, speckled trout, and king mackerel.

Little Lagoon

The Lagoon, stretching 8 miles in length, offers a unique mixture of saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico and tannin-rich water. The eastern half features sandy bottoms and sandbars, creating perfect ambush points for various fish species. For an unforgettable fishing experience, launch your boat from Mo’s Landing, conveniently located 1.8 miles west of Hwy. 59 on Fort Morgan Road.

Orange Beach Marina

Orange Beach Marina is a full-service facility in a protected harbor that offers open and covered slips with easy access from the Gulf, TennTom, Intracoastal Waterway, Mobile, and Pensacola Bay. Minutes away, the Gulf Coast’s waters are rich with mackerel, snapper, ling, and grouper. Further south, you’ll find a premier sportfishing area teeming with tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, and billfish. For competition enthusiasts, the Mobile Big Game Fishing Club, located at the marina, hosts seven annual tournaments.Book your stay in Orange Beach or Gulf Shores with Young’s Suncoast to enjoy the best fishing trips on the Alabama Coast!

How to Choose Between Orange Beach vs Gulf Shores

Vacationing in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, Alabama, offers a blend of relaxation, adventure, and Southern charm. The soft, sugar-white sands and warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico make these ideal vacation destinations. If you are trying to choose between Orange Beach vs Gulf Shores, this guide from Young’s Suncoast should help you out! We have a lovely selection of vacation rentals in both Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, so we can help you have your dream vacation no matter which one you choose. 

4 Things to Consider: Gulf Shores vs Orange Beach

1. Orange Beach vs Gulf Shores: Beaches and Water Activities

  • Orange Beach: Known for its lovely white-sand beaches, Orange Beach is perfect for those seeking a more serene beach experience.
  • Gulf Shores: Gulf Shores also boasts beautiful white-sand beaches, but tends to be busier, especially during peak seasons. Gulf Shores offers a vibrant and lively atmosphere while you enjoy numerous beach activities vs Orange Beach that has a more laid-back feel.

2. Orange Beach Wins in Family-Friendliness

  • Orange Beach: Because it’s generally less crowded, Orange Beach can be ideal for families with young children vs the bustling Gulf Shores. The area has family-friendly attractions like Adventure Island and The Wharf.
  • Gulf Shores: Even with more crowds, Gulf Shores still offers a wide range of family-oriented attractions such as the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo and Waterville USA. It’s great for families looking for a variety of activities and entertainment options.

3. Plenty of Outdoor Activities and Attractions

  • Orange Beach: This beach vacation spot is ideal for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The area is home to the award-winning Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, where you can hike, bike, and spot wildlife.
  • Gulf Shores: In addition to beach activities, Gulf Shores offers numerous parks and nearby recreational areas like Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge and Gulf State Park. It’s perfect for those who enjoy a mix of nature and recreational activities.

4. Join in the Alabama Gulf Coast Events and Festivals

Whether basking in the sun, diving into water sports, savoring fresh seafood, or exploring hiking trails, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in these beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast destinations. Book your stay with Young’s Suncoast! 

Have the Best Family Beach Vacations on the Alabama Coast

Planning family beach vacations can be both exciting and overwhelming with all the great options available. The Alabama Gulf Coast offers a stunning, serene backdrop for families looking to relax and create unforgettable memories. From the white sandy beaches to a plethora of family-friendly activities, the Gulf Shores area is a prime destination. Young’s Suncoast is dedicated to ensuring your family’s comfort and enjoyment by providing a wide range of vacation rentals in the Gulf Shore and Orange Beach area. Here’s why the Alabama coast should be your next family vacation destination and how Young’s Suncoast can help make it perfect.

Why the Alabama Coast Has the Best Family Beach Vacations

Choose From a Wide Variety of Gulf Shores Vacation Rentals

Whether you’re traveling with a small family or a large group, Young’s Suncoast offers a variety of vacation rentals in the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area that will fit your needs and heart’s desire. From spacious beachfront homes accommodating many to condos with heated pools, we have you covered! Book your stay today with Young’s Suncoast to enjoy unforgettable family beach vacations!

Explore the Best Nearby Nature Trails

Discover the Alabama Gulf Coast’s scenic trails, perfect for nature enthusiasts of all levels. Each trail offers a unique ecosystem to explore, from marshes to sand dunes. After a day of adventure, rest assured in the comfort and convenience of your Young’s Suncoast vacation rental. We offer a variety of rentals to cater to different preferences and group sizes, promising a personalized experience for every guest in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

Our Top 5 Favorite Nature Trails on the Alabama Gulf Coast

  1. The Eastern Shore Trail: Discover the stunning Eastern Shore Trail, a 22-mile path connecting North Daphne to South Fairhope. This nature trail is perfect for runners, pedestrians, and casual cyclists as it offers a variety of surfaces, such as concrete sidewalks, asphalt, elevated boardwalks, and low bridges. Whether looking for a scenic workout or a leisurely stroll, the Eastern Shore Trail has something for everyone.
  2. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge: The Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge in Alabama spans 7,000 acres of diverse coastal land, featuring undisturbed habitats ranging from beach dunes to pine-oak woodlands. The nature trails provide an opportunity to explore different habitats, and guided walks are available throughout the year.
  3. Gulf State Park: This park spans 6000 acres on the Alabama Gulf Coast and features beautiful lakes and plenty of nature trails. The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail is a 28+ mile trail system in Gulf State Park. Named the best recreational trail in the USA in 2024 by USA Today, it leads visitors through the vast 6,150-acre park. Hammock Park, a new addition to the park, is located at Hidden Lakes Trails and provides seven hammock spaces for visitors to relax.
  4. Wade Ward Nature Park: The elevated boardwalk provides breathtaking views of the wetlands connecting Little Lagoon and Lake Shelby. The park is also a habitat for various wildlife and is recognized as a site on the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, making it one of the best nearby nature trails for observing both migrating and local birds.
  5. Wetlands Park: You can find the entrance to the nature trails at the base of the water tower situated at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex. The pathway, which is looped and made of gravel, winds around a serene fishing pond that has several benches, gazebos, and a fishing pier. This makes it an ideal place to admire the wetland ecosystem in a peaceful and tranquil environment.

Book your stay with Young’s Suncoast for an unforgettable Alabama Gulf Coast experience!