Best Place to View Dolphins !

We%26#39;ll be in OB in August..Wondering about Dolphin watching? Don%26#39;t want to pay for excursion if Dolphins are out %26amp; about swimming around all the time. Where is the best place %26amp; times to see these majestic creatures? We will be staying at Bluewater Condo%26#39;s.. Also wanting a good local resturant for breakfast. No commerical place. What is the best ecconomical place to buy weekly groceries? Looking forward to an exciting time. appreciate the help.

Best Place to View Dolphins !

We have seen dolphins from our beachfront balcony in Orange Beach. Usually earlier in the morning.

Stock up on your groceries at Walmart in Gulf Shores. There is a Publix opening in Orange Beach, but not sure when. The Winn Dixie and another grocery store in Orange Beach (the name escapes me) seem to raise their prices during the tourist season. The employees are also rude.

Breakfast...hummm....threre is a Hazels, but never been there for breakfast....there is a Waffle House in Orange Beach...never been there either. We used to enjoy the Gulf State Park Hotel, but it%26#39;s no longer there. Someone else can help you, I%26#39;m sure.

Best Place to View Dolphins !

Bluewater (nice place!) is as good a place as any to see dolphins swimming along the beach, usually in the morning it seems. Don%26#39;t get me started on dolphin cruises.

WalMart in GS is the most economical grocery store. Breakfast can be found at Hazel%26#39;s, Waffle House, Daylite Donuts, etc.

dd,

I don%26#39;t want to open Pandora%26#39;s box here, but what is your negative opinion on Dolphin Cruises. As a first time visitor to OB in May, I%26#39;d like to know what to avoid and it sounds like you%26#39;d put a Dolphin Cruise on that list.

dasvig,

On our first visit to GS way back in %26#39;01, we did a dolphin cruise. I can%26#39;t recall the name of the boat, or which marina we went out of, (somehow I remember that the nearest restaurant was called %26#39;the back porch%26#39;) but we had a fabulous time. We got on a large pontoon boat (probably one that held 24 people, max), and headed out into a bay for about an hour. We saw many dolphin right away, and our captain was in constant radio contact with other captains of larger boats telling them of the sightings. Maybe somebody here will help out with the marina, I do remember seeing the cold mil boat at the same marina. The cruise will be well worth your time, and if you have kids, they will LOVE it. Don%26#39;t hesitate to go, we enjoyed it and found it well worth the money!

My only heartburn with dolphin cruises is a boat chasing dolphins around. I know they say they keep their distance and don%26#39;t bother the animals, but how would you like it if someone came into your living room and lit off a 250 hp outboard motor and followed you around with it? That%26#39;s all... :)

Thanks all for your different opinions. We%26#39;re getting very excited about our trip in mid-May.

dasvig

I understand the concerns about boats bothering dolphins but we used LA Water Sports in Orange Beach and they were great. It was a smaller boat and they did the dolphin viewing then a little nature cruise. The captain was very sensitive and respectful to his surroundings and the dolphins. They provided a lot of educational information.

Tacky Jacks is a wonderful place for breakfast and any other meal for that matter. You can check out their menu at tackyjacks.com

We went on a Valentine%26#39;s cruise with Down Under Dolphins and they were fantastic. Also, Duck%26#39;s Diner is a local favorite on Canal Road, but it gets pretty packed on the weekends. For an upscale experience Ginny Lane%26#39;s at the Wharf and Bayside Grill at Sportsman Marina have great Sun brunches!