08/07/2024
GUIDE TO THE ALABAMA GULF COAST
If you've ever wondered where to visit on the Alabama Gulf coast, lets hope this post helps you decide. It may be a long read and we can't cover everything there is to see and do, we will hopefully strike an interest in many who are curious about our little piece's of paradise. From peace and quiet to jam packed we've got you covered on the Alabama Gulf Coast.
The Alabama Gulf Coast stretches 60 miles along the Gulf of Mexico from Dauphin Island in Mobile County to Perdido Key on the Florida/Alabama state line. It also boasts over 600 shore miles on coastal bays, rivers, bayous and the Mobile Bay.
The area is steeped in history from Native American tribes to wars, settlers, fishing villages and modern commerce.
The sand along the Alabama coast is a fine white, soft sand made up of pure white crystal that washed down from the Appalachian Mountains and deposited into the Gulf.
The only way to reach the white sandy beaches of Alabama is by bridge or boat. The intracoastal waterway divides the mainland of Baldwin County, Alabama from the coastal beaches. The Dauphin Island bridge divides Mobile County, AL from the barrier island that
is surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi Sound and the Mobile Bay.
Starting in the West is Dauphin Island, it is a low density destination with no high rise condos, beautiful beaches and sunsets. Dauphin Island can only be reached by bridge from Mobile or the Mobile Bay Ferry from Fort Morgan.
Attractions include Fort Gaines, Audubon Bird Sanctuary, Alabama Aquarium, fishing charters from the Dauphin Island marina. There are other things to do on the island, or just lay on the beach and enjoy the sun.
There are a few restaurants on the island to enjoy, but stock up on your groceries before you head to the island.
Places to stay vary with a few hotels, but mainly it is cottages that offer the most choices.
Head East to Fort Morgan Beach - Images from the Western End on the Mobile Bay Ferry, its a cool little ride, you load your car, get out and watch the birds, ships, gas rigs and soak up the sun and fresh air. Fort Morgan can also be accessed via Hwy 180 off of Hwy 59 from the North.
Fort Morgan is located on the most Western end of the peninsula, surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico to the south and Mobile Bay to the West ending at Mobile Point.
Even though Fort Morgan has a Gulf Shores mailing address, it is actually an unincorporated part of Baldwin County. Fort Morgan fought to stay out of Gulf Shores for years and won, wanting to keep it as natural, pristine and uncrowded as possible. You won't find the elbow to elbow beaches covered in high rises out here, but there is plenty to do if you go to the beach for that laid back small town feeling. If you feel the need for more humans and traffic its a 20-25 minute drive into Gulf Shores, or cut through the state park to head for OBA.
There are 3 large condo complexes on the entire stretch of Fort Morgan, The Plantation, The Beach Club Resort & Spa, and the Indies on the Gulf side, the Bay side offers Navy Cove Harbor to name a few, there are other smaller complexes out that way.
The only other accomodations offered are private houses. The further out you go the more narrow the peninsula, until you can see both the Gulf and Bay from the road as it narrows.
There are plenty of things to do see and do in Fort Morgan, Fort Morgan Fort Morgan State Historic Site is a don't miss for history buffs. The tour of the fort is quite informative and interesting to walk through. Right before the entrance to the actual fort and ferry is Burgoyne Rd on the gulf side where you can park and walk out to Fort Morgan fishing beach to fish or go shelling, or turn left when you hit the beach and look for the smoke stack of the Ivanhoe about 150 yards off shore. Go at low tide to see it though, you can also snorkel or scuba around the wreck, just don't touch or take anything from the wreckage.
For fishermen and boaters there are boat launches into the bay as well as charter fishing at the Fort Morgan Marina, where you can also grab a bite on the deck of Tacky Jacks 2 - Fort Morgan while looking out over the bay.
You can hike the Jeff Friend Trail, or go kayaking in the Mobile Bay.
Golf enthusiasts have the world renowned Kiva Dunes golf course as well as The Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club.
Restaurants are not a scarcity in Fort Morgan. There is Sassy Bass Amazin' Grill, Tacky Jacks 2 - Fort Morgan, Jesses on The Bay, Sassy Bass Island Grill, Coast Restaurant, Kiva Grill, Peninsula Restaurant and Grill, during the summer there are also food trucks set up in front of The Beach Club Resort & Spa that are open to the public, pick up a great seafood boil to go at Fresh Market Seafood.
Just like traveling to Dauphin Island we suggest getting your groceries at Publix, Walmart or Rouses or any other big box grocery store before heading out. Sassy Bass and Dollar General are out that way for incidentals you may need.
Heading East on Hwy 180 out of Fort Morgan you will reach Hwy 59, turn Right and head into Gulf Shores. Gulf Shores city limits do reach across the intracoastal waterway onto the mainland.
When you arrive at the T, if you head Right you will be heading to West Beach which is a little less crowded as you keep traveling out. It is surrounded by the Gulf to the South and Little Lagoon to the North. Heading back East on Beach Blvd you will see more condos and houses than we can name here. Feel free to name a condo or restaurant in the comments.
Take the kids to Waterville USA, Pirate's Island Adventure Golf~Gulf Shores, Alabama, Pirates Cove, Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, just to name a few family friendly places.
Restaurants and souvenir shops are everywhere. Bubba's Seafood House, Mikee's Seafood, Doc's Seafood, Sea-N-Suds Restaurant & Oyster Bar King Neptune's Seafood Restaurant, Bahama Bob's, Shrimp on the Go Seafood Market for a boil to go just to name a few.
There are public beaches along the way, you will have to pay to park to utilize these.
If you keep heading East on Beach Blvd you will pass the Gulf State Park-Alabama as well as the fishing pier that is being fixed from Sally.
As you drive East you will end up in Orange Beach, Alabama, the last of the Alabama coast cities.
OBA, like its sister GS has condos and houses galore to choose from. The Phoenix complexes, Turquoise for higher end as well as many many more that are both Gulf front and across the road.
There are marinas for deep sea fishing, Zeke's Landing Marina, Orange Beach Marina and many more.
Again, there are more restaurants, Cobalt the Restaurant, Zeke's Landing Marina, Cottons Restaurant, just to name three of the many there are to choose from and more shops than we can name in OBA. Feel free to post your favorites in the comments.
As you head East from OBA over Perdido Pass you will soon see the world famous Flora-Bama Lounge & Package that everyone wants to visit while at the coast.
The food and shops don't stop along the beaches, explore Canal Road, and other off the beaten path places like OSO at Bear Point Harbor, J&M tackle, The Undertow Bar, The Island Time Daiquiris & Grub at The Wharf just to name a few.
We know there are tons or places to stay, eat and play that we haven't mentioned in this post, feel free to add your favorites in the comments for others to see.
Anyway you slice it, we have everybody covered for something to enjoy on the Alabama Gulf Coast.
