The region features thousands of miles of rivers, bays, bayous, lakes and waterways in addition to The Gulf. However, you won't have to look far to find exciting water sports that include relaxing dinner or dolphin-viewing cruises, jet skiing, parasailing, canoeing and kayaking, scuba diving and snorkeling, powerboats and sailboats. In addition, at least 15 local marinas offer boat rentals, charters and services. If you bring your own vessel, transient and wet slips also are available.

Area dive shops will school you in pools so you can snorkel or scuba dive in the clear, blue Gulf of Mexico with exotic fish, majestic sea turtles and interesting wrecks. An artificial reef development program was started in the 1970's when the U.S. government began sinking aging military equipment off the Gulf and other coasts. Today, you can explore reefs such as sunken tugboats, a Spanish-American War era battleship (U.S.S. Massachusetts), five World II era Liberty ships, military tanks and a sunken 200-foot rum runner vessel. Thanks to this program, flourishing marine life have enabled some dive shops to offer spear fishing. With professional instruction, you can become a certified diver in as little as two weeks — a perfect way to spend a vacation.

Of course, sport fishing is one of the most popular water sport attractions along the Gulf of Mexico — so popular that we've created a special web page with detailed information. See the fishing link, above left. Pleasure Island has the adventure you are looking for.

Left, a bottle-nose dolphin frolics on Perdido Bay. Dolphin cruise passengers enjoy the view on beautiful Perdido Bay, northeast of Orange Beach.

Cold Mil Fleet
Sportsman Marina or Bear Point Marina
Orange Beach, AL 36561
(251) 943-3510
Website: dolphincruise.com

Watch wild dolphins put on a breathtaking show in Perdido Bay from two beautifully-reconditioned, 50-foot U.S. Navy transport boats on the Cold Mil (Military) Fleet. These 2-hour cruises are a favorite with visitors — and you're guaranteed up close, unobstructed views of dolphins on every trip during the firm's season (January through September)! Reservations are required and you can bring cameras, binoculars and coolers with food and drinks.

Sail the Daedalus/ sailboat charters
5749 Bay La Launch
Orange Beach, AL 36561
(251) 987-1228
Website: sailthedaedalus.com
e-mail: info@sailthedaedalus.com

Daedalus, a two-mast ketch/yawl sailboat is named for a figure in Greek mythology. The hull design includes a porthole below the waterline, which allows an underwater view of marine life. Short, three-hour cruises are available from Bear Point Marina. Seasonal hours. Call for schedule.

Southern Rose
27842 Canal Road
Orange Beach, AL 36561
(251) 981-7673
Website: southernrosedolphintrips.com
e-mail: info@southernrosedolphintrips.com

This 64-foot boat with an enclosed, air-conditioned cabin offers memorable outings in search of the bottle nose dolphin. A narrative tour with beach music is a backdrop to these scenic cruises on Bayou St. John, Perdido Bay, and Pirates Cove. A snack bar is available for sandwiches, ice cream, drinks, chips, candy, beer, wine & mixed drinks. In addition to dolphin cruises, the Southern Rose is available for sunset dinner cruises and private parties. Located on Highway 180, two miles east of Highway 161. Departure times vary.

Wallace Boat Rentals & Tours
Bear Point Marina
Bay La Launch Road
Orange Beach, AL
(251) 981-5757

Pontoon, runabout, fishing boat rentals. Instructions and life jackets are provided. The good folks here also provide maps of the local waters and can point you to isolated beaches and great fishing spots. Located off Canal Road.

A father treats his two sons to a ride on a sleek jet ski in Perdido Bay.

Fun Marina/Alabama Parasail
PO Box 6251
Gulf Shores, AL 36547
(251) 980-5122

Watersports rentals: Sea Doo jet skis, pontoons, run-abouts and parasailing.

C.J. Watersports
328 East Beach Blvd.
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
(251) 948-3599

On the water, parasailing and Yamaha Waverunner jet skiing. On land, scooters and
Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

L.A. Watersports
320 East Beach Blvd.
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
(251) 948-7433

Para-sail, Yamaha Waverunner, kayak rentals, boat rentals and dolphin cruises.

Down Under Dive Shop
1129 Gulf Shores Parkway (Highway 59)
Gulf Shores, AL 36547
(251) 968-3433
(251) 981-3483

Snorkeling and diving charters, 24 or 36-foot USCG-certified dive boats. Daily walk-on charters, snorkeling classes and charters, basic to advanced scuba instruction, air/nitrox fills, equipment repair, kayak rentals.

Dive Pros
7203 Hwy 98 W
Pensacola, FL 32506
(850) 456-8845

The remains of the battleship USS Massachusetts (BB-2), are a popular dive site in 26 feet of water just off Pensacola Bay. Commissioned in 1896, the ship (shown in 1898) served in the Spanish-American War and World War I. Declared obsolete in 1920 and sunk as a target, she is now an artificial reef. Learn more about the U.S.S Massachusetts dive site from the Florida Division of Historical Resources. Photograph: E.H. Hart / U.S. Naval Historical Center.

Divers' Den of Pensacola
512 North 9th Avenue
Pensacola, FL 32501
(850) 438-0650
Website: www.diversden.com/

Gulf Breeze Dive Pros
911 Condo C, Gulf Breeze Parkway
Gulf Breeze, FL  32561
(850) 934-8845

Gulf Coast Dive Pros
7203 Highway 98 West
Pensacola, FL  32506
(850) 456-8845

A pleasure craft motors east, past homes set amidst a pine forest bordering the Cotton Bayou, a bay just north of Pleasure Island. The view is from the front balcony The Palms condominium.

Fun Marina/Alabama Parasail
PO Box 6251
Gulf Shores, AL 36547
(251) 980-5122

Watersports rentals: Sea Doo jet skis, pontoons, run-abouts and parasailing.

Fort Morgan Marina
1577 Hwy 180 W
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
(251) 540-2336

Dock store, dry storage, transient & permanent wet slips, covered slips, laundry facilities, showers, telephones, launching ramp, Marine parts & accessories, private charters available and Bay Watch Restaurant.

ICC Marine
2614 E 2nd St
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
(251) 968-6558
e-mail: iccmarin@gulftel.com

Dry storage, launch, marine parts and accessories, repairs/service on canal.

Recreation - Marinas, Orange Beach

Bear Point Marina
5749 Bay La Launch
Orange Beach, AL 36561
(251) 981-2327
Toll Free: (888) 386-4853

Dock Store, transient slips, laundry facilities, showers, telephones and Back Bay Charters 888-FUN-GULF. Restaurant: Back Porch at Bear Point

Bobby Walker Charter Docks
PO Box 100
Orange Beach, AL 36561-0100
(251) 981-6159
Website: www.bobbywalker.com
e-mail: chancyw@gulftel.com

Charter boats for deep sea fishing. Private charters available.

Captain Ty's Landing
PO Box 152
Orange Beach, AL 36561
(251) 981-6314
Toll Free: (800) 277-4855
Website: www.capty.com
e-mail: cptnty@zebra.net

Private charters only. Specilizing in four hour Trolling trips three trips daily. Children love it!

Captain's Cove Inc./ Griffiths Marina
PO Box 11
Orange Beach, AL 36561
(251) 981-9044

Permanent, covered wet slips, repairs/service and private charters available. Type of vessel accommodates: Power Type of stay: Monthly, Annually Slip size: Max. Width 17 Max. Length 42 Max. Draft 6'

Cotton Bayou Marina
PO Box 272
Orange Beach, AL 36561
(251) 981-4144

Hudson Marina
28341 Burkart Drive
Orange Beach, AL 36561
(251) 981-4127

Orange Beach Marina Inc.
PO Box 278
Orange Beach, AL 36561
(251) 981-4207
Website: www.orangebeachmarina.com
e-mail: obminc@gulftel.com

Dock store, transient and permanent slips, covered slips, laundry facilities, showers, telephones, trailer parking, marine parts & accessories, repairs/service, used boat sales, yacht brokerage and two restaurants: Mangos on the Island and Calypso Fish Grille and Market. Private charters also available, call 334-981-4207

Outcast Charter Docks
27555 Perdido Beach Blvd
Orange Beach, AL 36561
(251) 981-5453
e-mail: bookm1st@aol.com

Charter fleet for private and "walk-on" fishing trips, home of "Sea Blaster" rides and para-sail trips.

Romar Harbor Hi-Dry Marina
PO Box 220
Orange Beach, AL 36561-0220
(251) 981-9771
e-mail: rhmarina@gulftel.com

Dry storage, wet slips, permanent and temporary storage, dock store, fuel dock. Live bait, repairs/service. Located on Cotton Bayou just minutes for the Gulf.

SanRoc Cay
27267 Perdido Beach Blvd Ste 300
Orange Beach, AL 36561
(251) 981-7263
Toll Free: (888) 386-4853
Website: www.sanroccay.com
e-mail: sanroc@gulftel.com

This unique combination of businesses combines retail outlets a marina on the cotton bayou with permanent and transient slips, showers, telephones, dock store and even a yacht brokerage. The shopping center includes gift shops, a shoe store to pick up beach sandals or deck shoes, and womens clothing stores, all with underground parking. A charter fleet is available for private and "walk-on" fishing trips. Restaurants include Louisiana Lagniappe, Grazie's, and SanRoc Delicatezza.

A young visitor checks out the boat slips at Sportsman Marina in Orange Beach.

Sportsman Marina
PO Box 340
Orange Beach, AL 36561
(251) 981-6247
Website: www.sportsmanmarina.com
e-mail: smarina@gulftel.com

Dock store, diesel/gas, dry storage, wetslips, permanent and transient, laundry and shower facilities. Restaurants bayside Grill and A Southern Rose Dolphin/Dining cruise, Killinger Marine Center, KV Yacht sales.

Sun Harbor Marina, LLC
27212 Marina Rd
Orange Beach, AL 36561
(251) 981-6111
Toll Free: (800) 300-9159
e-mail: sunharbormarina@hotmail.com

Walter Trent Marina
PO Box 25
Orange Beach, AL 36561
(251) 981-4850

Zeke's Landing Marina
PO Box 2500
Orange Beach, AL 36561
(251) 981-4007
(800) 793-4044.
Website: www.zekescharters.com

Dock store, gift shops, dry storage, permanent/transient wet slips, showers, telephones, laundry facilities, marine parts & accessories and yacht brokerage.