Summer Activities on the Gulf Coast
We fully believe that there’s no time like to present to plan your summer beach vacation, especially as availability begins to heat up! While you’re planning, go ahead and schedule in some time for a beach activity. A beach activity is the best accompaniment to a beach vacation, since there are so many fun things you can do. If you crave adventure on your beach vacation, our Southern Perks partners are the best avenue to make it happen. Not only will you have access to enjoy some of the most popular summer activities on the Gulf Coast, but you’ll also receive exclusive discounts as a Southern guest! Check out some of our favorite activities below all across the Gulf Coast, from Panama City Beach, Florida to Gulf Shores & Morgan, Alabama.
Panama City Beach
Staying in Panama City Beach this summer? There are so many fun activities you can do here, from embarking on a dolphin cruise to a snorkel trip and everything in between. For starters, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in Panama City Beach is a fun family-friendly attraction that makes for a great rainy day trip. Looking for something for just the two of you? Try out a Sunset Dolphin Sail Aboard the Private Catamaran. For a once in a lifetime opportunity, book a 4-Hour Shell Island Dolphin Swim Experience! You’ll learn the proper way to swim with dolphins and see these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat!
Destin
Destin is teeming with fun summer activities on the Gulf Coast – you’ll want to schedule multiple vacations so as to experience it all! Dolphins love Destin’s emerald green waters, and there are no shortage of options for dolphin cruises in Destin. The Dolphin Watch and Destin History Cruise aboard the Hannah Marie is extremely popular with visitors to Destin wanting to see dolphins swim alongside the boat! You can even hop aboard fishing charters, like this Group Fishing Charter on the Olin Marler. This a genuine deep sea fishing experience you won’t soon forget!
Pensacola Beach
Meanwhile, over in Pensacola Beach, this stretch of the Gulf Coast knows no bounds for fun. Head out to nearby Perdido Key to parasail 800 feet over the Gulf of Mexico with Chute ‘Em Up Parasail (also available over in Orange Beach!) and see the Gulf from a new perspective. Or, for a day full of fun, embark on your own relaxing water adventure and rent a pontoon boat. Pontoon boats can hold up to 12 people and feature Bimini tops for shade, comfortable seating, and more! If you’re coming down for Blue Angels weekend and have rented a Pensacola Beach condo, this is the perfect way to watch the Blues practice.
Gulf Shores
Then, for an experience unlike any other, set out on a Lost Bay Helicopter Tour in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. Talk about a view! You’ll love cruising over Coastal Alabama from a birds’ eye view. Flown by professional and experienced pilots, these tours last anywhere from 5-40 minutes and are perfect for a thrill-seeker. Another fun option is the Gulf Shores Parasailing & Banana Boat Ride Tour Combo, offering you the chance to fly high over the beach. You may even see dolphins, sharks, sea turtles, and more! Since the parsails can accommodate up to three people per trip, this is a great activity to do with friends and family.
Where to Stay
Before you can book your summer activities on the Gulf Coast, you’ll need to find somewhere to stay! Our Gulf Coast vacation rentals can accommodate any size group, since we offer beach homes and condos to fit your needs. To stay right on the beach, take a look at I’d Rather Be Gulfing in Pensacola Beach. This breathtaking six-bedroom home sleeps 23 people and offers views of the water from its large back deck. The beach is truly your backyard when you stay here!
For a vacation home in Panama City Beach, we recommend Simply the Best. The name says it all – this home is truly one of the best vacation rentals in Panama City Beach! Located right on the sandy shores, with five bedrooms and four bathrooms, it’s the perfect size for 16 guests. Come explore this home and all it has to offer!