When you're not exploring the LuLu or Capt. Shirley Brown shipwrecks, there's plenty to do in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama. Here's our picks:

WHERE TO EAT IN ORANGE BEACH

Voyagers

If you’re looking for local catch with plenty of flavor, this upscale spot in Perdido Beach Resort is the perfect spot. Chef Brody Olive serves up locally sourced seafood with a refreshing — and tasty — take, and it all comes with a beautiful view of the beach. perdidobeachresort.com/voyagers

Bravo Tacos  

There’s nothing quite like scarfing down some tacos after plenty of hours well-spent in the sun, and Bravo Tacos’ fresh flavors let you do so without feeling bogged down and full of regret later. bravotacos.net
 


The Flora-Bama Yacht Club

“Flip-Flop Fine Dining” is the mantra at this spot where you can pull your boat right up to the marina for a excellent meal. Chef Chris Sherrill works with the NUISANCE Group to help promote the consumption of underutilized and invasive species. You know what that means: if you’re lucky there might be a lionfish special in store. But if not, there’s plenty of delectable fresh fish to be enjoyed. florabamayachtclub.com


Moe’s Original BBQ  

OK, so it’s not really a trip to Alabama without some BBQ. Get that good ole country flavor at Moe’s, where the meat is smoked in homemade barrel pits and the radio is playing some rock n’ roll. moesoriginalbbq.com

WHAT TO DO IN ORANGE BEACH

Fort Morgan State Historic Site

This is a highlight for you history buffs — especially those who fancy tales from our nation’s Civil War. Take a walking tour of Fort Morgan to see what life was like at the outpost that sits where Mobile Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico. See the eerie ins and outs of the masonry fort that played a major role in the Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864 and was used in both World Wars, and if you’re really feeling inquisitive, come by on a Tuesday night in June or July for a Civil War tour led by a uniformed guide. fort-morgan.org

• Related: 10 Things You Didn't Know About the Sinking of the LuLu

Waverunner Tour

Zip around the waters near Orange Beach on your personal Waverunner as an Alabama Extreme Watersports guide gives you an insider’s look at the area. Within 30 seconds of the 90-minute tour we saw dolphins quickly popping out of the water in Arnica Bay. But the ultimate highlight of the tour was seeing dolphins surf in the wake of two boats as we cruised alongside. And, oh, speeding down the waterways on a Waverunner was fun, too. aewatersports.com

The Beach

The soft sugar-white sand is a welcome host for weary travelers — or just about anyone — and the calm water is a plus for those who are more keen on hanging out than hanging 10. The stretch of pristine beach that faces the Gulf of Mexico to the south features public access for those who aren’t staying on the water, as well.

WHERE TO GO FOR DRINKS AND ENTERTAINMENT IN ORANGE BEACH

The Wharf

You can find just about anything at The Wharf – an entertainment center just a short drive from the beach with plenty of dining options, a movie theater and even a ferris wheel. alwharf.com


Flora-Bama Lounge, Package and Oyster Bar

For a more lively evening on the town, head just past the Florida state line to the legendary Flora-Bama Lounge & Oyster Bar and try the area’s signature drink: the Bushwacker. The Flora-Bama keeps its recipe secret, but if you imagine a Wendy’s frosty with five types of liquor mixed in, you’ll get the picture. florabama.com

WHERE TO STAY IN ORANGE BEACH

Perdido Beach Resort  

When you pull up to Orange Beach, the first thing you’ll do is savor the wonderful scent of salt in the air. It’s hard to escape that feeling at Perdido Beach Resort, where you’re treated to a lovely view of the gulf and top-notch dining options. The resort’s four restaurants have everything you could want on the menu from ostrich carpaccio — topped with a lovely roasted shallot grain mustard — to poolside pizza. perdidobeachresort.com


Want to see what the diving is like off Alabama's Gulf Coast? Check out this photo gallery.