Epic things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in January! Don't let the winter months stop you from visiting the Alabama Gulf Coast.
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Things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in January
January is a great time to visit the Alabama Gulf Coast. The weather can be a bit mixed with sunny days and stormy days but it is still worth it.
During January in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, the sunrise and sunsets are directly over the Gulf, making for amazing photo opportunities.
The crowds are not crazy as holiday visitors have left, and snowbirds are on their way in.
January Events in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
There are so many fun winter events in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach! Locals and visitors can enjoy art classes, dining specials, the kick off of Mardi Gras Season, the polar bear dip, and so much more!
January 1 -2 Events, Festivals and Things to Do
January 3 -9 Events, Festivals and Things to Do
January 10 - 16 Events, Festivals and Things to Do
January 17 -23 Events, Festivals and Things to Do
January 24 - 30 Events, Festivals and Things to Do
January 31 Events, Festivals and Things to Do
January Things to Do
Don't let a little "chilly" weather stop you from exploring the area! Oh and when I say chilly most days are still at least 50 degrees so not that cold.
There are a ton of things to do in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach when it Rains! Thankfully it doesn't rain every day in January and there are a ton of indoor and outdoor activities to enjoy.
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
January is the perfect time to visit the Gulf Shore Zoo! The cooler weather and fewer crowds will benefit both you and the animals.
They have amazing animal encounters, including a few premium experiences only available during the winter.
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Dolphin Cruises
We are blessed to live in an area with an amazing Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin population. One of our favorite day dates is to book a tour to see our local dolphins.
You can also book an amazing sunset cruise. Sail through the back bays, enjoy great music, a cocktail, and, hopefully, lots of dolphins.
Here are a few of the dolphin tours we have done so you can see photos and video of what to expect.
Cruise OB - We were amazed at how many dolphin we saw leaping from the water on this dolphin tour. Book HERE
Explorer Dolphin Boat - This is a great option for families. The boat is one level with easy bench seating. Book this dolphin cruise here
Southern Rose Dolphin Tour - They guarantee you will see dolphins on your tour. Book this dolphin cruise here
Hammock Time Tiki Tours - You can talk with Captain Glenn and set up a private dolphin tour for the family.
Sunny Lady Dolphin Cruise - Leaves from the Wharf making it a really easy cruise to hop on. They have a two story boat with indoor and outdoor seating. Book this dolphin cruise here
Sail Wild Hearts - Enjoy a gorgeous sailboat tour while looking for dolphins.
Check out additional dolphin cruises here.
There are also private charter boats available if you want to set up a family dolphin tour on a private boat.
Sunset Cruises
January is the perfect time to enjoy a sunset cruise. Grab a warm jacket and enjoy the sun setting directly over the Gulf of Mexico.
Explore The Wharf
During the winter, the Wharf has outdoor ice skating, special events, and great restaurant deals.
Many of the Wharf Restaurants host wine dinners, live music, and fun events in January.
Grab a hot coffee or tea at Southern Grind, Ride the Wharf Ferris Wheel, take a dolphin cruise, or enjoy a great date night out.
You can also buy a 1-day or 2-day attraction pass that includes admission to the Ferris wheel, Gulf Coast Zoo, and the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, and Historic Blakeley State Park.
Visit Fort Morgan
Head down to Historic Fort Morgan and enjoy wandering around this historic star fort. Learn about the history of the area, enjoy bird watching, and fewer crowds.
Check out sunset from the Fort Morgan Pier, enjoy fishing from the pier, and watching the Mobile Bay Ferry cross the bay.
There are a ton of great Fort Morgan restaurants near the historic fort! Make it a day trip and enjoy a great meal or two and exploring the Fort Morgan Peninsula. Sunset at Coast Restaurant is gorgeous in January! The photo above was taken during a date night dinner at Coast. It is one of our favorite restaurants.
We highly suggest booking a massage at The Beach Club Resort Spa!
Take a day trip to Dauphin Island
Hop on the Mobile Bay Ferry and take a day trip to Dauphin Island. Explore the Dauphin Island Aquarium, Fort Gaines, and enjoy great food at a local restaurant.
Check out one of Dauphin Islands Mardi Gras Parades! Make sure to plan to arrive early if you are going to take the ferry over. It can get really busy depending on the weather.
Check out all of the fun things to do on Dauphin Island, AL
Orange Beach and Gulf Shores Weather in January
January temperatures range on average from 42 to 63 degrees. That being said this January we had some pretty cold days with temperatures dropping into the low 20s.
January is considered the coldest month of the year for the area. If you are visiting from outside of the Gulf Coast it will still feel like paradise.
We moved from Spokane, Washington to live in Gulf Shores and every day we can't believe winter can be this gorgeous.
Winter Dining Specials
Make sure to check and see if your favorite Gulf Shores Restaurant or Orange Beach Restaurants are offering winter specials.
There are fantastic snowbird specials, lunch specials, and more! We have been enjoying dining out with all of the great deals in January.
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Lodging
If you are visiting and need to book accommodations, here are our recommendations. We have personally stayed at each of these lodging options (except Margaritaville, coming 2027!):
Use code GULFJOURNEY at checkout with Spectrum Resorts and Beachball Properties for an exclusive discount!
🏖️ Beachball Properties - Vacation houses and condos throughout Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Use Code GULFJOURNEY for a discount. Book with Beachball Properties
🏖️ The Beach Club Resort and Spa (Fort Morgan) - Beachfront condos with amazing amenities, a spa, and the incredible Coast Restaurant on-site. Use Code GULFJOURNEY for a discount with Spectrum Resorts. Book The Beach Club
🏖️ Turquoise Place (Orange Beach) - Our favorite resort in the area! Luxury amenities, epic Gulf-front views, and stunning condos. Truly unforgettable. Use Code GULFJOURNEY for a discount with Spectrum Resorts. Book Turquoise Place
🏨 The Tides Hotel (Orange Beach) - Gorgeous beachfront hotel with a great breakfast buffet, outdoor pool, and top-notch customer service. Book The Tides
🏨 Island House Hotel (Orange Beach) - Right on the beach with epic views from every room. Book Island House
⛺ Timberline Glamping (Orange Beach) - Stay in an amazing glamping tent with a private bathroom, right next to Gulf State Park. Book Timberline
🏨 The Lodge at Gulf State Park - Beachfront Hilton hotel in Gulf State Park offering epic views, sustainable practices, and great on-site restaurants. Book The Lodge
🏨 Springhill Suites Orange Beach - Located next to The Wharf with a gorgeous pool. Perfect location for shopping and dining. Book Springhill Suites
🔜 Margaritaville Resort Orange Beach (Coming 2027) - The highly anticipated Margaritaville resort is coming to Orange Beach! The first phase opens in 2027 and will include beachfront cottages, bungalows, condos, pickleball courts, and an entertainment district.
The map below shows the current hotels and vacation rentals available in the area. You can select the dates you are visiting to see current availability.
Additional Gulf Coast Adventures
Best Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Donut Shops - Check out the epic donut shops right in Gulf Shores for the perfect morning treat.
Great breakfast spots in Gulf Shores - Gulf Shores knows how to do a great breakfast! These are our favorite breakfast restaurants we return to often.
Free things to do in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach - Check out the local playground, public beach access points, and so much more.
Things to do in Foley, AL - Don't miss all of the fun to be had in nearby Foley including the amazing Homes Medical Museum and the Railroad Museum.
Things to do in Fairhope, AL - The top things to do in Fairhope, Alabama, include attractions, dining, sunset, wildlife, nature preserves, and so much more!
Best Sunrise spots in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach - All of the best places to view sunrise.
Looking ahead make sure to check out our February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December Guides to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach!
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tours
These are some of our favorite tours available in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama.
Dolphin Tours - Book a dolphin cruise here
Check out our experiences on Hammock Time Tiki Tours, Explorer Dolphin Cruise, Southern Rose Dolphin cruise, Cruise OB (Orange Beach), Sail Wild Hearts, Sunset Sail and Dolphin Tour, and the Sunny Lady Dolphin Cruise.
Slingshot Rentals - Use code GULFJOURNEY To save 10% off a Slingshot Rental with Gulf Coast Rental Co in Orange Beach
Pontoon Boat Rentals - Enjoy cruising the waters of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach on a Pontoon. Check out the pontoon boats with slides for extra fun. Book your Boat Rental Here
Parasailing - Check out the epic views as you parasail in the Gulf of Mexico. Look for wildlife and you float high above the water. Book your Parasailing Trip Here
Jet Ski Rentals - Jet Ski Tours and rentals are a great way to explore the back bays of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Book your Jet Ski Rental Here
Click here to see all of the top rated tours and activities available in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
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