Orange Beach Islands

How To Get To Orange Beach islands

How To Get To Orange Beach Islands

The Orange Beach Islands, also known as the Islands of Perdido Pass, consist of Bird Island, Robinson Island, Gilchrist Island, and Walker Island. All 4 islands of the Perdido Pass are located within minutes of eachother, and are visible from the Orange Beach shoreline. There is no safe way of getting to the Orange Beach Islands by foot, and the currents make it unsafe to swim. The best way to get to the Orange Beach Islands is by renting a boat. More options for getting to the Orange Beach Islands is by kayak, paddleboard, or jet ski.

map of orange beach islands

Original image from Google Maps


Jet ski, paddleboard, and kayak rentals are great for an afternoon, where as pontoon boat rentals are meant for full day trips. Take along drinks, snacks, and games on your Orange Beach Island adventure, just make sure to clean up after yourself!

Orange Beach Islands Location FAQ

1. Are the Orange Beach Islands open all the time?
2. Is it hard to find a spot for your boat?
3. How far from are the islands?
4. Can I swim to the islands?
5. Is there a boat access nearby?
6. Are all four islands public?
7. What is the cheapest way to get there?
8. Can I bring my dog to the islands?



1. Are the Orange Beach Islands open all the time?

There is no open or closed at the Orange Beach Islands, though you won't find much action past dark. The most popular time for visiting the islands is 10am - 4pm, when the sun is highest in the sky.



2. Is it hard to find a spot for your boat?

On busy days, it's best to get to the islands early to land your boat. Most boaters are friendly and happy to make space for your kayak, paddleboard, or watercraft. If there is no space on the beach, you can always anchor just off the island shore and swim to land (be sure to use a personal flotation device if swimming in water deeper than four feet).



3. How far from the shore are the islands?

All four islands are close to shore. From Ono Island and Terry Cove, it's just a few minutes away by boat.



4. Can I swim to the islands?

Although the islands look close enough to swim, it's not recommended due to heavy boat traffic and strong currents.



5. Is there a boat access nearby?

Yes, there are two public boat accesses near the Orange Beach Islands. According to the City of Orange Beach Parks & Recreation, Boggy Point Launch is located at the end of Marina Rd off Hwy 161 - This launch is nearest to the Perdido Pass Bridge. There is also the Cotton Bayou Launch located on Hwy 182. The Cotton Bayou Launch will allow you to enter into the Perdido Pass on the west end.




6. Are all four islands public?

Bird Island, Robinson Island, and Walker Island are owned by the city or state, and are open to the public. Despite Orange Beach's efforts to purchase Gilchrist Island in the past, it remains privately owned, therefore not accessible to the public. Due to Gilchrist's stunning natural beauty and wildlife sanctuary status, visitors love to anchor down in the water around the island for bird watching and swimming.



7. What is the cheapest way to get there?

The cheapest way to get to the Orange Beach Islands is by kayak or paddleboard. These are the most inexpensive rentals and easiest to handle. You can find Orange Beach kayak and paddleboard rentals online at TripShock.com.




8. Can I bring my dog to the islands?

With the many protected bird and marine life species, the risk of an unsupervised dog could mean serious damage to the local ecosystem. For this reason, dogs are restricted at the Orange Beach Islands.