Orange Beach, Alabama, is a dynamic resort city on the northern Gulf of Mexico, renowned for its pristine, sugar-white quartz sand beaches, part of the region’s 32-mile coastline stretching from Gulf Shores to the Florida border at Perdido Key. With a 2020 population of 8,095 (2023 estimate: 8,534), this Baldwin County gem blends a vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere with upscale amenities, a thriving boating community, and world-class sportfishing, making it a premier destination for residents, second-home owners, and investors seeking a luxurious coastal lifestyle.
Beaches and Outdoor Adventures
Orange Beach boasts approximately 8 miles of gulf-front beaches, featuring public access points like Alabama Point East, Cotton Bayou, Romar Beach, and Shell Beach, just east of Perdido Pass. These offer boardwalks, restrooms, showers, and parking (some free, others $10-$15 daily), with lifeguards from March to October. The emerald waters and soft quartz sand are perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, and jet-skiing. Perdido Pass, a scenic waterway, connects the Gulf to inland bays, ideal for kayaking, dolphin cruises, and accessing the Orange Beach Islands (Bird, Robinson, Gilchrist, and Walker), sanctuaries for seabirds and marine life. Gulf State Park, shared with Gulf Shores, adds 3.5 miles of beaches, while the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail and a rare Maritime Forest attract nature lovers.
Vibrant Boating Community and Sportfishing
Orange Beach is a boater’s paradise, home to the Gulf Coast’s largest charter fishing fleet and a vibrant boating community. The city’s 12 marinas, including Zeke’s Landing, The Wharf Marina, and Sportsman Marina, offer over 1,200 wet slips and 200 dry storage spaces, catering to vessels from small skiffs to 100-foot yachts. Perdido Pass provides direct Gulf access, making Orange Beach a hub for recreational boating, with events like the Poker Run and Blessing of the Fleet showcasing community spirit. The city is a sportfishing capital, hosting tournaments like the Blue Marlin Grand Championship, dubbed “The Greatest Show in Sportfishing,” and the Orange Beach Billfish Classic, drawing anglers worldwide for red snapper, marlin, tuna, and wahoo. The annual Red Snapper Season, extended in 2025, fuels fishing tourism, supported by 2,000+ charter trips annually and facilities like Hudson Marina’s fuel docks and repair services.
Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, a 28-mile network of paved, ADA-accessible trails in Gulf State Park, is a recreational gem, voted USA Today’s top trail in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Spanning nine ecosystems—dunes, forests, marshes, and swamps—it offers biking, hiking, or running with sightings of alligators, ospreys, and deer. The Orange Beach Sportsplex trailhead provides restrooms and bike-share access, with trails connecting to dining and shops.
Accessibility and Gulf Shores International Airport
Accessible via Interstates 10 and 65, the Baldwin/Foley Beach Express links I-10 to the coast. The Gulf Shores International Airport (JKA), 6 miles west, began commercial service with Allegiant Airlines in 2025, offering nonstop flights from six U.S. cities, with a new terminal planned. Pensacola International Airport (PNS), 35 miles east (45-minute drive), is the primary commercial hub, with Mobile Regional Airport (MOB) and the upcoming Mobile International Airport (BFM), 60 miles away, as alternatives.
Lifestyle and Attractions
Orange Beach buzzes with activity. The Wharf offers a 112-foot Ferris wheel, shopping, dining, and a 10,000-seat amphitheater hosting stars like Eric Church. The Orange Beach Sportsplex, with a 1,500-seat stadium, hosts SEC and NCAA events, while the Recreation and Aquatic Centers provide swimming, diving, and eight tennis courts. Waterfront Park on Wolf Bay features a fishing pier. The Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival, ranked second-best outdoor music festival by Newsweek in 2025, and the Orange Beach Performing Arts Center highlight culture. Dining spans seafood at CoastAL to casual fare at Doc’s Seafood Shack. New developments, like 10 glamping sites and the Margaritaville Resort at The Wharf, enhance appeal.
Climate and Growth
The humid subtropical climate brings hot summers (highs near 90°F) and mild winters (highs around 60°F), ideal for year-round living. Despite hurricanes like Ivan (2004) and Sally (2020), Orange Beach is resilient. A 2025 moratorium on large-scale residential projects reflects managed growth, prioritizing infrastructure for its booming school system and tourism-driven economy.
Real Estate Appeal
Orange Beach’s real estate market thrives, fueled by a Southeast and Midwest drive market and 100,000 summer visitors. High-end condos like Turquoise Place and Phoenix Gulf Towers are ideal for primary residences, second homes, or investments, with 18,000+ rental units ensuring strong returns. Orange Beach City Schools, with new facilities opened in 2020, add family appeal.
Orange Beach’s luxurious amenities, natural beauty, and vibrant boating and sportfishing culture create an unmatched coastal lifestyle for relaxation, adventure, or investment.
8,801 people live in Orange Beach, where the median age is 56.3 and the average individual income is $54,577. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
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There's plenty to do around Orange Beach, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.
Explore popular things to do in the area, including Parasail Sky Surfer, Distraction Charters, and Back Bay Sailing Adventures.
| Name | Category | Distance | Reviews |
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| Active | 0.98 miles | 5 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.55 miles | 46 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 3.2 miles | 7 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 1.09 miles | 5 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 3.65 miles | 9 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 4.74 miles | 5 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 3.98 miles | 20 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 3.23 miles | 10 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.68 miles | 5 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 3.48 miles | 5 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.48 miles | 8 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.82 miles | 7 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
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Orange Beach has 4,029 households, with an average household size of 2.18. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Orange Beach do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 8,801 people call Orange Beach home. The population density is 527.01 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
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