Injecting a morsel of health and wellness into any vacation is important, but when you visit Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, incorporating those two things is easy peasy. Indulge in miles of delicious finely ground quartz sand beaches, incredible biking opportunities, an abundance of waterways, and world class spas, and you can stay right on track with a healthy lifestyle.
To find all indoor and outdoor activities for a health and wellness beach vacation in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, go to the tourism site.
Things to do in Gulf Shores Alabama to add health and wellness to your beach vacation
Biking in Gulf State Park
Getting a workout in on vacation cannot get more scenic than the 28 mile trail system inside Gulf State Park. Bike to the beach, cross over swampy areas via the boardwalks and bridges, stop at one of the many scenic overlooks, and look for the many birds, alligators and even eagles that take up residence within the park.
If you don’t have your own bike, you have access to complimentary bikes at the stations around the park.
Download the park map here.
Hiking in Bon Secour Nature Preserve
I love hiking in this untouched natural coastal preserve. There are a little over 5 miles of trails divided into 4 individual trails. The longest stretch is the Centennial Trail at just over 2 miles and connects the Jeff Friend Trail with the Gator Lake and Pine Beach Trails.
The Jeff Friend Trail is an accessible trail and wheelchair friendly. It is a loop that is just under a mile long.
The trails within the preserve have excellent bird watching, a diverse landscape, and a variety of native plant species.
Find out more about the trail system here.
Sunset walks along the beach
This is my favorite. Walking along the beach at sunset is more than just exercise. The pastel pinks, purples, and yellows turning into the intense oranges and reds, and how they dance off the water just before nightfall is a meditative experience.
The sound of the waves and the feel of the sand on bare feet is the definition of self care. I enjoy walking right along the shoreline where the sand is the most compact, with the possibility of a wave gliding over my feet. Walking in the soft, deep sand offers a more intense workout, a different experience.
Either way, you’ll probably have the beach to yourself.
Spa day at The Beach Club
If the secret ingredient to a perfect beach vacation is having a spa day, then you need to schedule one at The Spa and Salon at The Beach Club a Spectrum Resort.
Indulge in a relaxing massage from a wide variety of options, facials, manicures, and pedicures, hair salon services and more.
I was treated to one of three spa packages, a 50 minute Swedish massage, 25 minute facial, and scalp massage. It had been a long time since I have treated myself to a spa visit. I had an amazing massage technician who worked some massive knots out of my shoulders.
I left feeling renewed and ready to continue the rest of my vacation. Believe me, you’ll probably want to book another experience before you head home and back into the chaos of life.
Rent a paddleboard, kayak, or canoe and explore Coastal Alabama Back Bay Blueway.
Rent your favorite watercraft and hit these four water trails to explore the coastal backwaters of the area. There are 21 launches. You can glide through swampy areas and paddle around inland lakes. The Orange Beach Trail offers the largest area and most launch sites.
There are multiple businesses that rent equipment. Some, like Go Go Kayaks and More LLC will deliver and pick up your chosen watercraft. To find a great list of business that offers watersport rentals, go here.
Incorporate watercolor painting with kayaking.
I’ve mentioned this activity put on by the Orange Beach Wind and Water Learning Center in previous posts, and for good reason. I loved the whole idea behind this. You incorporate a physical activity with a creative activity. Paddling out a mile from the Wind and Water Learning Center, and using watercolors to paint the shoreline not only is good for the body, but also for the mind and soul.
On shore, you watch and listen to a short presentation using video to learn more about Wolf Bay, an Outstanding Alabama Waterbody. It fascinated me to learn that Wolf Bay is an estuary, which means it is a mix of fresh water and salt water. There are two habitats that you will see, the salt marsh and the palustrine wetlands.
You learn basic kayaking tips which will enhance your experience. I learned I had been gripping the paddle all wrong!
Once the presentation is done, Jackie McGonigal, Coordinator of the Wind and Water Learning Center, gives you a sheet of watercolor paper, and a sealable dry bag with your paints and brushes.
Once you are at your site, you will anchor and Jackie will walk you through the steps to create your masterpiece (yes, you will ONLY create a masterpiece). It’s difficult to juggle the canvas, the paints, and the brushes, especially in choppy water (ask me how I know this:-)).
Once you relax, you can easily slip into the fun of appreciating the scene in front of you. It’s actually quite calming.
What you will have in the end is a fun memento of your vacation along with a new appreciation of this part of the gulf coast.
Hit the links at one of the amazing golf courses
If you enjoy golf, you have a long list of courses to master in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. The salty gulf breeze, the green of the fairway, and the endless blue sky are the ultimate way to enjoy the links. To get the most out of your afternoon on the course, walk instead of taking a cart, or if you must take a cart, walk alongside and let your partner drive the cart. If you prefer to let someone else book your tee time, visit the Coastal Alabama Golf site for packages.
Keeping up with your healthy habits is a piece of cake when you add all the opportunities available during your Alabama beach vacation.
And if you want to form healthy habits, there’s no better time to be inspired, and to begin, than on a Gulf Shores and Orange Beach vacation.
Questions? Comments? Share then with me!