ORANGE BEACH SNORKEL FIELD GUIDE
Beneath Alabama’s Surface: Snorkeling the Rock Jetties and Turtle Grass Beds
A 1.5-hour snorkel outing from Orange Beach aboard a 46' custom Newton dive vessel led by Down Under Dive Shop, exploring local reefs that host more than 200 species—this guide explains what to expect and how to prepare.
Beneath Alabama’s Surface: Snorkeling the Rock Jetties and Turtle Grass Beds.
Set off from the Alabama Gulf Coast aboard a custom 46' Newton dive vessel for a guided snorkel excursion led by a professional dive team. You’ll visit reef sites such as the Rock Jetties of Perdido Pass and the Turtle Grass Beds behind Robinson Island, where concentrated marine life—more than two hundred species of tropical and game fish, rays and crabs—awaits beneath the surface.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A purpose-built dive platform
The trip runs aboard a roomy 46' custom Newton dive vessel staffed by professional dive personnel who outfit participants and provide a full safety and technique briefing prior to entering the water.
Two distinct local snorkel grounds
Stops include the Rock Jetties of Perdido Pass and the Turtle Grass Beds behind Robinson Island—each site offers a different habitat and a dense concentration of local marine life uncommon elsewhere along the Gulf Coast.
An unusually diverse Gulf community
While visibility can vary with tides and weather, snorkelers often encounter more than 200 species of tropical and game fish, along with rays and crabs that concentrate around these reefs and grass beds.
What the day feels like
How it feels to go
The outing is brisk and focused: a 1.5-hour coastal excursion that begins with gearing up and a guided briefing from the dive team, then moves to one or more shallow reef sites where participants slip into Gulf water to follow reefs and grass beds alive with marine activity.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits—and who should consider alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The outing is 1.5 hours long; rates start at $75 per person for ages 8 and up.
Bring a swimsuit, towel and sunblock; the operator provides snorkeling equipment and has room aboard for personal carry-on items.
Professional dive staff outfit participants with the latest snorkeling gear and deliver a full briefing covering technique, safety and local aquatic life before entering the water.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the snorkel trip?
The trip lasts 1.5 hours.
What is the minimum age to participate?
Participants must be at least 8 years old.
What should I bring with me?
Bring a swimsuit, towel and sunblock; the operator provides snorkeling equipment and has space aboard for personal items.
What will we see underwater?
Snorkelers can expect to observe a wide variety of marine life—more than 200 species of tropical and game fish, plus rays and crabs concentrated around the reefs and grass beds.
Are equipment and instruction provided?
Yes. Professional dive staff outfit participants with snorkeling gear and provide a full briefing on techniques, safety and local aquatic life.
Will visibility be like the Caribbean?
No—the Gulf’s water clarity is susceptible to tides and weather and visibility can vary; it is not generally as clear as the Caribbean.