Orange Beach Islands: 3-Hour Boat Excursion & Bird Island Stop

Summary

Boat trip around Orange Beach islands with swimming and island stop

You’ll ride with a local captain around Orange Beach’s islands, spot wildlife from the boat, then anchor at Bird Island to swim or walk along its sandy shore. Bring your own snacks and drinks; coolers, ice, cups and floats are included so you can relax without worrying about details. Expect laughter, salty air, and time to just drift for a while.

What’s the experience like?

"You ever seen a heron up this close?" our captain asked as he slowed the boat near Robinson Island. I hadn’t — not outside of a nature doc anyway — but there it was, just standing in the shallows, barely blinking at us. The air smelled like sunscreen and salt, and the sun bounced off the water in that way that makes you squint even behind sunglasses. We’d piled into the boat with our cooler (they gave us ice and cups, which honestly saved me from forgetting), music already playing low on the Bluetooth speakers. Everyone was still figuring out where to sit when we pulled away from Orange Beach’s marina.

Our guide — Captain Mike — had this easy way of pointing out stuff without making it feel like a school field trip. He showed us where dolphins sometimes hang out (we saw one fin, maybe two?), and told a story about Bird Island’s sand shifting every year. At one point, someone dropped a bag of chips and half of us laughed while scrambling to catch them before they blew overboard. There were other boats out too, people waving or just floating on those neon pool noodles. It felt lively but not crowded, more like everyone was in on some big lazy afternoon together.

When we anchored off Bird Island, I jumped in even though the water was cooler than I expected. Some folks stayed on board with their drinks (BYO — they don’t mind what you bring as long as you’re sensible), while others wandered along the shore picking up shells or just letting their feet sink into that soft sand. I tried to skip a shell across the water — failed completely — but didn’t really care. That light wind and distant music from another boat made everything slow down for a bit. I still think about that view back toward Gulf Shores, how open it all felt.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — 3-hour Orange Beach Islands tour

• Bring snacks and drinks
• Board boat with USCG Captain
• Tour around Orange Beach islands
• See wildlife and natural beauty
• Anchor off Bird Island
• Swim or walk around Bird Island

Top questions

How long is the Orange Beach Islands excursion?

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours.

Is swimming allowed during the tour?

Yes, you can swim when anchored off Bird Island.

Are drinks provided on the boat?

No, you should bring your own beverages; coolers and ice are provided.

Does the tour include a local guide or captain?

Yes, a professional USCG Captain guides the tour.

Are children allowed on this excursion?

Yes, infants and small children can join; child life-jackets are available upon request.

Can I bring snacks or food onboard?

Yes, bringing your own snacks is encouraged.

What happens if there is bad weather?

If the captain cancels due to weather, you’ll get a full refund or can rebook if possible.

Is there music on board?

Yes, there’s a Bluetooth stereo system for music during the trip.

What’s included

Your day includes guidance from a USCG-certified captain around Orange Beach’s islands with all ice, coolers, cups (even shot glasses), bottled water provided onboard plus floats for relaxing in the water—just bring your favorite snacks and drinks before heading out to Bird Island for swimming or strolling along its sandy edge.