Best things to do in orange beach, Alabama
Dolphin cruises, sunset cruises, snorkeling & custom cruises ~ orange beach, Alabama
Orange Beach, Alabama is one of the best destinations on the Gulf Coast for boating, wildlife, and family fun. If you’re looking for unforgettable things to do in Orange Beach, a private dolphin cruise with Back Bay Charters is one of the most popular experiences. Our private boat tours give you the opportunity to see dolphins, snorkel in beautiful waters, and enjoy incredible sunset views along the Gulf Coast.
Things to do...
private cruises orange beach, al
If you’re looking for the best things to do in Orange Beach, getting out on the water should be at the top of your list. With beautiful coastal scenery, abundant wildlife, and calm back bay waters, Orange Beach offers some of the most unique experiences on the Gulf Coast.
One of the most popular activities is a dolphin cruise in Orange Beach, where you can see wild dolphins swimming and playing right next to the boat. Private charters offer a more personal and comfortable experience compared to crowded tour boats, giving you a better chance to see dolphins up close while exploring the area.
For a more scenic and relaxing experience, a sunset dolphin cruise in Orange Beach is a must-do. As the sun sets over the Gulf, the sky fills with vibrant colors while dolphins remain active in the calm evening waters. This combination of wildlife and scenery makes it one of the most memorable experiences in the area.
In addition to dolphin cruises, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy in Orange Beach. Visitors can explore nearby islands, go snorkeling in clear waters, or relax on the beach. Fishing, waterfront dining, and exploring the back bays are also popular ways to spend time along the coast. (Back Bay Charters)
If you’re planning your trip, exploring all available Orange Beach cruises is one of the best ways to experience everything the area has to offer. From dolphin tours to custom private charters, there are options for every type of group and occasion.
Top Things to Do in Orange Beach:
• Take a private dolphin cruise
• Enjoy a sunset cruise on the water
• Go snorkeling in Orange Beach and explore marine life
• Visit nearby islands and beaches
• Experience waterfront dining and local attractions
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or a full vacation, spending time on the water is one of the best ways to experience Orange Beach. Book your trip today and see why so many visitors consider a dolphin cruise the highlight of their trip.

dolphin cruises orange beach
Experience the excitement of dolphin watching on a private cruise the whole family will love! Our smaller, faster boat allows us to explore more of Orange Beach than the large tour boats, bringing you closer to dolphins and other incredible coastal wildlife. With a 99.9% dolphin sighting success rate over the past 10 years, you’re almost guaranteed an unforgettable adventure. Skip the crowds and enjoy a private dolphin cruise you’ll remember for years to come.

Sunset cruises orange beach
Unwind on a private sunset dolphin cruise through the beautiful waters of Orange Beach. Watch dolphins play as the sun sets over the Gulf, creating a stunning backdrop for a relaxing and unforgettable experience. Perfect for couples, families, or anyone looking to enjoy the water, this laid-back cruise offers incredible views, wildlife encounters, and memories that will last a lifetime.

snorkeling trips orange beach
Experience the Gulf Coast up close on a private snorkeling adventure. Swim among tropical fish and keep an eye out for dolphins, sea turtles, stingrays, and more. We provide all the gear—just show up and enjoy the water. Trips are scheduled around optimal tide conditions to ensure the best visibility and overall experience. Because of this, snorkeling is only offered at select times on certain days, giving you the best chance to see marine life in clear, calm water.
Why Dolphin Cruises Are One of the Best Things to Do in Orange Beach
Testimonials
EXCELLENT Based on 134 reviews Posted on Kimberly RVerified Wow what a great time …it made the trip truly unforgettable! Wow, just WOW! We took a private dolphin cruise with Captain Matt last Sunday and had the best time. It was even better because it was such a personalized experience for our group of 4 and Matt was a wonderful captain, He was right on time, so nice. knowledgeable about it the area and most importantly Matt knew exactly where to find the dolphins! The experience was amazing, the dolphin mama’s and their babies followed the boat, jumping and playing in the wake. Talk about an up close encounter… we could practically reach out an touch them they were so close! I can’t recommend this trip enough! If you can do it on your next trip to Orange Beach or Gulf Shores I recommend booking a trip with Captain Matt on Back Bay Charters. You WILL NOT REGRET IT!!Posted on Connie DVerified Awesome Captain! We had an amazing experience on our dolphin charter with Captain Matt! He went above and beyond by calling ahead to adjust our departure time due to bad weather, making sure we could still enjoy our trip safely. That level of communication and care was really appreciated. Captain Matt was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and made the whole experience fun and relaxing. We saw plenty of dolphins and had a fantastic time out on the water. Highly recommend this charter if you’re looking for a great experience with a captain who truly cares about his guests!Posted on Patti SVerified Dolphin Tour We embarked on a two-hour dolphin tour, and Matt, our knowledgeable guide, ensured we had an enriching experience. We were fortunate enough to spot numerous dolphins throughout the tour.Posted on Emily BVerified Would not recommend First off, let me say that we booked a tour with him in 2022 and had a great time. This year I booked a private dolphin cruise again for last night for my daughter's birthday. While loading into the car to head to the cruise, I fell off the curb and broke my ankle. I am a nurse and immediately could tell it was broken. While waiting on the ground for the ambulance to arrive, I called Matt to explain the situation and let him know we obviously wouldn't be making it. This morning I reached out to him and sent pictures of my xray and asked if we could be refunded ($460 is what we paid). Matt told me it was not "fair for him to loose out on the money" so he would not refund us. I again asked for at least a partial refund and he offered a $150 credit towards if we book with him in the future. Obviously we will not ever use him again. We are going to likely be out 1,000s of dollars on medical bills and an impending surgery and the right thing for him to do would be to offer a refund or at least a partial refund to a repeat customer since this was a freak accident I had no control over. Very disappointed.Posted on JenrschroederVerified Fun Dolphin Cruise Although the weather was not great, we had a fantastic time on our Dolphin Cruise with Matt. He was fun and kind and able to find us many dolphins. One even followed the boat jumping out of the water. Thanks Matt!Posted on John GVerified Awesome! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Captain Matt was great! He took my family of 6 out to see dolphins. It didn't take long before he found a pod of about 7 cute dolphins! We got to watch them play and do a few flips. They also followed our boat and played in our wake, super cool!! Thank you Captain Matt for being so friendly and taking us out!Posted on Dawn MVerified No regrets Captain Matt was awesome! We had a great time- highly recommend booking with Back Bay Charters.Posted on Tour29718397611Verified Wonderful Dolphin Experience! Captain Matt is great! Although the weather was cold we had a great experience. Highly recommend.Posted on suewY5979THVerified My best birthday adventure! Captain Matt did fabulous job of taking us to the best spot to see the dolphins, plus he was full of knowledge about the area.Posted on Cathie RVerified Matt is the best! Absolutely loved our dolphin cruise. Captain Matt was wonderful and so easy to work with when the weather wasn't optimal he reached out to us rather than us having to contact him and scheduled a better time. He spent attention to detail and worked to ensure we had a great experience. Would definitely book again!