Tours

Snorkeling and reefs in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach

Snorkeling here means artificial reefs and the rocks of the Perdido Pass jetties. Alabama lists three shallow snorkel reefs off Gulf State Park, all at about 12 feet. A guided snorkel boat trip costs $85 plus $25 for the gear, so $110 a person before tax, and private boats take groups of up to six. Divers go deeper, to reefs and wrecks at 40 to 100 feet.

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Compare snorkel trips

Checked November 3, 2026Snorkel trip $85 + $25 gear3 reefs at 12 ft

Perdido Pass, Orange Beach, Alabama · Photo: Joey Eads / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain · Credits

Snorkel trips

Who takes you snorkeling

Snorkel trips here are run by local boats; book by phone. Visibility and current change daily.

Down Under Dive Shop
TripGuided snorkel boat tour, 1.5 hours; Tuesdays at 9:30 and 11:30Price$85 per person, plus $25 gear rental and taxAge and experienceAges 8 and up; no certification neededLeaves fromShop at 1129 Gulf Shores Pkwy
32 Charters
TripPrivate snorkel trip for 2 to 6 guests; gear on board; no experience neededPricePer trip, on requestAge and experienceOn requestLeaves fromFlora-Bama Marina
Back Bay Charters
TripPrivate snorkel charter for up to 6, kids included; 11:30 on selected days; gear included; no restroom on boardPriceOn requestAge and experienceBeginners welcomeLeaves fromOrange Beach
Sail Wild Hearts
Trip3-hour adventure sail with kayaks and paddle boards and a snorkel stop at Robinson Island; bring your own snorkel gearPriceOn requestAge and experienceChildren welcome with an adult; life jackets up to age 12Leaves fromPerdido Beach Resort bayside dock

Sources: Down Under snorkel tour, 32 Charters, Back Bay Charters snorkeling and FAQ, Sail Wild Hearts cruises and FAQ. Phone: Down Under 251-968-3483, 32 Charters 251-223-1166, Back Bay Charters 251-500-1400.

Artificial reefs

The shallow reefs off Gulf State Park

The coordinates mark each reef, not a safe swim route out to it. Before you swim out, ask the lifeguard about the current and how far it is, never go on a red flag and never alone. The easy way is a guided snorkel trip. Alabama also lists 34 inshore reefs in the bays and more than 240 structures in its trolling corridor farther out.

Gulf State Park Pavilion
Depth12 ftGPS30.251264, -87.644425BuiltPlaced 2018, extended 2020
Gulf State Park Romar Beach
Depth12 ftGPS30.260186, -87.606197BuiltPlaced 2018, extended 2020
Gulf State Park Alabama Point
Depth12 ftGPS30.273436, -87.541003BuiltPlaced 2018, extended 2020
Poseidon's Playground
DepthAbout 40 ftGPS30.2345, -87.525367BuiltPlaced 2014

Sources: Alabama Marine Resources: nearshore reef coordinates (list dated September 1, 2023), nearshore reef zone, inshore reef zones. The Underwater Museum of Art, often mentioned with Orange Beach, is in Grayton Beach State Park, Florida, about 0.9 miles offshore at 58 feet.

Beach flags and safety

Scuba

Dive trips for certified divers

Down Under Dive Shop runs scheduled dive trips. You need a valid scuba certification; gear rental and tax come on top.

Sources: Down Under: go diving, know before you go.

Guided beach dive
Where and how deepWhiskey Wreck or the Perdido Pass jettiesPrice per diverFrom $105 plus gear
Poseidon's Playground
Where and how deepOne tank, up to 40 ftPrice per diver$105 plus gear and tax
Near shore dive
Where and how deepTwo tanks, 60 to 80 ftPrice per diverFrom $130 plus gear and tax
Off shore dive
Where and how deepTwo tanks, 80 to 100 ftPrice per diver$150 plus gear and tax

Boat trips with a swim stop

These cruises anchor at an island in the bay where you can swim. The private cruise brings masks and snorkels. Price and rating checked on November 3, 2026.

Boats docked at a marina in Orange Beach — Photo: A. E. Crane, U.S. Department of Transportation / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Island Time Private Boat Charters

Private Island and Sandbar Cruise

3 hours

A private boat for your group: look for dolphins, anchor at Robinson or Bird Island for a swim and cruise past the Flora-Bama.

Snorkel gear, a paddle board and a floating island are on board, and the captain can shape the trip around a birthday or anniversary.

Private boat with restroom
Snorkel gear, paddle board and floating island
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

Good to know

Meets: Romar Marina, off Cotton Bayou Drive

5.0 · 1 review on Viator

From $745 on Viator

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Dolphins beside a sightseeing boat at sunset off Orange Beach — Photo: U.S. Department of Transportation / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Cruisin Tikis Orange Beach

Orange Beach Islands Tiki Cruise

3 hours

Bring your own drinks and snacks and let a Coast Guard licensed captain take your group around the islands of Orange Beach on a floating tiki bar.

The boat anchors off Bird Island, so you can swim or walk the island before the ride back.

Stop at Bird Island to swim or explore
Cooler, ice, cups, water and floats provided

Good to know

Meets: Zeke's Marina, at the tiki boat in front of Zeke's Restaurant
Bring your own drinks; not refundable once booked

4.9 · 271 reviews on Viator

From $99 on Viator

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Sunset and tiki cruises