Alabama's Gulf Coast: 6 Orange Beach Vacation Rentals That You Will Love

Are all the relatives showing up to your annual family beach vacation? Then Pair O Dice is a standalone Gulf-front home built for your crew. It’s large enough to handle all of them while still allowing for privacy. All six bedrooms in this three-story beachfront gem have private bathrooms, and each floor has its own kitchen. The house can comfortably sleep up to 20 people.

What really makes the house stand out, though, is the private pool deck, a rarity for a beach house in these parts. Above the pool deck, each floor has a wide beach-facing porch. These outdoor spaces were made for grilling out and seafood boils. That’s convenient because one of the area’s best fresh seafood markets is right outside the door.

Lartigue’s Seafood Market has the day’s freshest catch of Gulf shrimp, crabs, fish, and is literally at the end of the driveway. Also near the end of the driveway is a trailhead to the Hugh S. Banyon Backcountry Trail system. Rent some bikes and explore much more than the beach without having to get in the car.

Discover the quiet neighborhood charm of Bear Point at the Dream Fisher 5. This two-story pet-friendly house isn’t on the water, but it’s a short walk to the sandy waterfront park on Amica Bay and a short drive to the beach.

The house is built in the traditional raised beach house style with the main living/sleeping area upstairs and a built-out garage area downstairs perfect for kids and teens to have their alone time. The downstairs has its own kitchen and bathroom, as well. There are also a large covered patio area on the ground level and covered deck upstairs for hanging out, grilling out, and taking in the salty sea air of the coastal breezes that waft across the point.

Pets have a large fenced-in backyard to frolic and relieve themselves, and there’s a back deck where you can sit and watch the dogs play. The sleepy streets of the neighborhood make for stress-free dog walking.

This is a good option for those seeking out a less-touristy environment. Bear Point is a less-trafficked area where you’re more likely to run into locals than other tourists. The marina down the street rents boats and jet skis. Directly across the bay from the marina is Pirate’s Cove, a local’s hangout that makes a mean Bushwhacker (an adult milkshake), and is also dog-friendly.

Like most non-hotel beachfront properties in Orange Beach, Sea Chase 1102 C is part of a condo resort. The unit is on the 11th floor with long-range views of the coast from a balcony that’s perfect for watching the sunrise and sunset.

Both bedrooms have king beds, and there are two full bathrooms, so it makes a good choice for two couples. It’s also appealing to small families since there’s a sleeper sofa in the living room and plenty of toys and entertainment options, including three large-screen TVs, a video library, and games, and Wi-Fi set-up for Netflix.

Sea Chase is centrally located and close to everything. Many of Orange Beach’s major shops and restaurants are a short walk or drive away. Two large grocery stores are just across the street. But you won’t need to buy or bring any beach toys or towels as they will be waiting for you in the closet when you arrive.

The Wharf at Orange Beach, a large resort and entertainment complex, is a popular off-the-beach waterfront spot. The Wharf by Meyer Real Estate rents out six condos in the main building overlooking a marina full of fishing and pleasure boats on the Intracoastal Waterway. They run the gamut from one-bedroom units suitable for couples and small families with young children to two- and three-bedroom layouts for larger groups. All have balconies overlooking the water and the 208-slip marina. Boat slips are available, so bring your own or rent one to maximize your time on the water.

Attractions at the Wharf include one of the South’s largest Ferris wheels, a palatial pool area with a lazy river, and a zipline course. Live music  is also performed regularly at the open-air bars and restaurants on-site, and there’s a 10,000-seat amphitheater where big-name touring acts make stops.

No boat, no problem. Plenty of day charters are available for fishing or dolphin watching and sunset cruises. I recommend the Dolphin Eco Tour from Cetacean Cruises, a small personalized tour where the guides know the dolphins in the bay by name and can prove it to you.

The view doesn’t get much better in Orange Beach than the one from the 18th-floor balcony of Turquoise Place Unit 1806D. The tower the unit is located in is one of the tallest buildings on this part of the coast. The balcony has a hot tub, a grill, and an outdoor kitchen, and offers a birds-eye perspective of the beach, the Gulf of Mexico, and Perdido Pass where all the boats come and go in and out of the bay.

Space abounds at Turquoise Place. The 2,300-square-foot unit has three bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths. A family of up to 10 will find plenty of room to spread out. Even the large balcony has separate entrances.

This isn’t a place for spring breakers looking to party. They won’t even rent to anyone under 25, the standard for a lot of rentals in the area. This is a place for refined comfort in tastefully decorated environs. And the elevators are fast, so there’s not a long wait time to come down out of the sky and spread out on the sand.

This Waterfront Condo is part of the upscale Bella Luna building, which is prettier than most cookie-cutter condo complexes in Orange Beach with it curved design and shimmering emerald glass. You’ll have an Instagram-worthy view of the Ole River, Ono Island, and the bay. There’s also a marina on the river (which is really more of an inlet from the ocean) where private boat slips are available.

In case you’re wondering where to find the beach, don’t worry, it’s right across the street. The unit faces the bay but Bella Luna has its own private beach access, so you’re steps away from the silky white sand and pounding surf. Another big selling point: It’s within easy walking distance to the renowned Flora-Bama Lounge (Jimmy Buffett has sung about it), the Flora-Bama Yacht Club (where the elite eat in their bare feet), and the Flora-Bama Ole River Grill (a family-friendly seafood favorite).

Guests also have access to four swimming pools, including heated indoor and outdoor pools, for those visiting in the off-season months. This is a place for those seeking the best of both worlds in Orange Beach—the bay and the beach, and a convenient location.