One of the best ways to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of our rivers and back bays is in a kayak. Gliding silently, close to the water, you’ll find yourself sharing space with a variety of wildlife. You might even spot a playful dolphin swimming nearby.
Since this vast coastal setting beckons you to slip a kayak into local waters, you’ll need to know where to begin. Just in the areas of Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Foley, you’ll have your choice of 21 launch sites for paddling the waterways – but you’ll find many more throughout Alabama’s Coastal Connection Scenic Byway.
The following are a few launch sites and their locations:
- Explore Little Lagoon beginning at the Jeff Friend Kayak Launch in the Bon Secour National Wildlife Reserve, 13900 State Highway 180 in Gulf Shores.
- To spend time exploring Robinson Island and Bird Island in Orange Beach, select any of the several launch points on Marina Road.
- The Graham Creek Nature Preserve launch offers access to all the creeks and bays within the Wolf Bay watershed.
- You can access Lake Shelby in Gulf State Park from a couple of locations: the Lake Shelby Park Area on State Highway 135 and also the Nature Center Boat Launch on Campground Road. Don’t have a kayak? Rentals are available at both locations.
The abundance of wildlife in and around our waterways promises an amazing journey each time. As you paddle around, please be sure to keep your distance and don’t disturb any of the animals you encounter.