ALABAMA VACATION RENTALS

Thirty-two miles of sugar white beaches make Alabama Gulf Coast the perfect vacation destination for those who choose to relax and those who want to be active. Whether it is reading in the shade of an umbrella-sheltered beach chair, listening to the soothing music of the surf, reeling in fish, playing a round of golf or exploring the rich history and protected wildlife habitats, Alabama's coast has it all!

Something magic happens when you visit the Alabama Gulf Coast. The moment you arrive at Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, the world starts to fade away. Maybe it's the sound of waves gently lapping the shore or the smell suntan lotion. Perhaps it's the white sand of Alabama's Beautiful Beaches and sparkling emerald water. Suddenly building sandcastles moves to the top of your priority list. You find yourself laughing at and enjoying the time you're able to spend with friends or family on the gulf shore of Alabama. You linger over a succulent, fresh seafood dinner where nobody rushes to get away from the table.

A great getaway is closer than you think. A visit to Alabama Gulf Coast offers the perfect balance of non-stop activity and lay-around-doing-nothing time. Putter around a bit on one of the championship golf courses. Cast your line for deep-sea adventure on a charter fishing trip. Travel back in history with a visit to Fort Morgan, the site of the Civil War Battle of Mobile Bay. Commune with Mother Nature as you hike through one of our Alabama wildlife areas and gaze at gators and shorebirds.

Whether vacationing with family, escaping with the one you love, attending an annual convention or corporate retreat, you can choose from national hotel and motel chains, top-notch Gulf Shore condo rentals or a variety of Gulf Shore vacation beach house rentals.

Located at the southernmost tip of Alabama; 50 miles southeast of Mobile, Alabama; 35 miles west of Pensacola, Florida; on Alabama Highways 59 and 182; easily accessible from Interstates 65 and 10.

 Average temperatures:

 · Winter___ 62°

 · Spring___ 72°

 · Summer_  87°

 · Mobile Regional Airport; Mobile, AL

 · Pensacola Regional Airport; Pensacola, FL

Gulf Shores 5,340

Orange Beach is home to the largest fishing fleet on the northern Gulf coast. With over 100 boats available for charter, seasoned captains licensed by the U. S. Coast Guard know where and when the fish are running. Boats are equipped with electronic fish-finding devices to make playing hooky even more fun.

Fishing the reefs yields great catches of red snapper, trigger, amberjack and grouper. Dolphin, mackerel and shark are in season mid-March through November.

Cobia, also known as ling or lemonfish, begin their migratory run in early spring until late April. Sight-fishing from a tower equipped boat is the secret to catching this prize fish.

Bill fishing for blue and white marlin, sailfish and bull dolphin is best from mid-May through October.

Saltwater fishing is not limited to the briny deep. Closer in, mackerel, redfish, trout and bluefish can be caught from piers, seawalls, rock jetties and by simply casting into the surf.

Freshwater fishing can be enjoyed in more than 400,000 acres of waterways in the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area. Lake Shelby at Gulf State Park and the Bon Secour River yield bass, red drum and bream. Fishing the area's back bays provides the opportunity to catch redfish, flounder and speckled trout. If the currents cooperate, numerous saltwater species also find their way into back bay areas.

Small craft rentals are available from a number of area businesses and resorts. Lessons and charters for scuba divers and snorkelers are available, as are sailing charters. Parasailing is a popular way to get a bird's eye view of the island. Wave runners and water-bogans are available for the adventurous-at-heart.