Marinas in Gulf Shores, AL

May and September through October are the best all-around months for boating on Gulf waters off Gulf Shores. Average water temperatures are in the mid-70s in May, low 80s in September and mid-70s in October, while June through August warms into the low-to-mid 80s but coincides with the destination’s peak summer visitor season. Winter water is generally in the mid-to-upper 50s. In summer, let the day’s forecast decide: local tourism guidance warns that pop-up storms can change Gulf conditions quickly and advises staying docked when a storm is approaching.

Source: Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism (gulfshores.com)

From Gulf Shores, you can boat Little Lagoon, the Intracoastal Waterway, Oyster Bay, Bon Secour Bay and Gulf waters through Perdido Pass. Little Lagoon is shallow, with sheltered stretches along its north shore; launch at Mo’s Landing. Canal Park puts you on the marked Intracoastal route, which passes through shallow Oyster Bay before entering Bon Secour Bay. The Pines ramp provides another Bon Secour Bay put-in. For a more exposed outing, continue along the waterway toward Perdido Bay and take the marked, jettied Perdido Pass into the Gulf.

Source: City of Gulf Shores (gulfshoresal.gov)

Boaters from Gulf Shores commonly make day trips to Robinson Island, Bird Island, the Old River loop around Ono Island, and Sand Island Lighthouse. Near Perdido Pass, Robinson Island draws boats to its shallow sandbar, while Bird Island offers wading and coastal birdwatching.

A sightseeing cruise through Bayou St. John and Old River passes the homes and yachts along private Ono Island. For boaters launching at Fort Morgan, Sand Island Lighthouse near Dauphin Island provides another sightseeing destination, with dolphins sometimes seen around the decommissioned lighthouse.

Source: Alabama's Beaches (gulfshores.com)

Yes. Alabama generally requires motorized vessel operators, including personal watercraft operators, to carry a vessel operator certification or license. No one under 12 may operate. Licensed 12 and 13 year olds need a licensed operator age 21 or older aboard and positioned to take control; licensed operators 14 or older may operate alone. Nonresidents need valid home state or country certification, or Alabama nonresident certification.

Renters may operate without certification after safe operation instruction from the rental business if their operating privilege is not suspended or revoked. Thirty day exemptions cover qualifying new boat owners and new Alabama residents. Those born before April 28, 1954 are exempt from the exam, not certification. ALEA Marine Patrol administers the program.

Source: Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Marine Patrol (alea.gov)

In Alabama, the key rules are to carry proper life jackets, boat sober, use a registered vessel, meet operator age and license requirements, and obey posted restrictions. Each recreational vessel needs one wearable life jacket per person; children under 8 must wear one except in an enclosed cabin, and everyone on a personal watercraft must wear one.

Operating at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or while impaired is illegal. Vessels must be currently registered and numbered. No one under 12 may operate a motorized vessel. Licensed operators ages 12 or 13 need a licensed adult 21 or older aboard and ready to take control; solo operation starts at 14 with a license. Follow regulatory signs and buoys.

Source: Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Marine Patrol Division (alea.gov)

Alabama’s minimum age for unsupervised operation is 14 for a motorized vessel, including a personal watercraft, but rental eligibility is set separately by the rental operator. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency says no one under 12 may operate a motorized vessel. An operator age 12 or 13 must first obtain a vessel operator’s license and may operate only with someone 21 or older onboard who also has a vessel operator’s license in possession and is seated in a position to take immediate control if necessary. Operators 14 or older must have their certification or license in possession. Confirm the rental operator’s minimum age when booking.

Source: Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (alea.gov)

Alongside the marinas on this page, Gulf Shores has 4 boat rentals, 2 boat clubs and 5 boat dealers.