Directions to Distraction Charters at Orange Beach Marina

Quick Arrival Instructions

Driving From Alabama Highway 161

Most guests approach the marina from Alabama Highway 161 in Orange Beach.

1. Turn east onto Marina Road.
2. Continue approximately 1.1 miles.
3. Watch for the Orange Beach Marina entrance on your left.
4. Enter the marina property.
5. Take the first right into the main parking lot.

Take your time as you approach the marina. Traffic, cyclists, pedestrians, marina vehicles, and boats being serviced may be present.

Where to Park

After entering Orange Beach Marina, take the first right into the main parking area.

Park near the row of palm trees when space is available. This generally provides the easiest walking route toward the dock store and Slip E-12.

Please do not block:

• Marina traffic lanes
• Boat trailers
• Service vehicles
• Golf-cart paths
• Loading and unloading areas
• Other parked vehicles

If the preferred area is full, use another legal marina parking space and allow extra time for the walk.

Park in the lot on the right marked in yellow. Follow the red walking route past the restaurant and toward the left side of the dock store.

Do Not Unload Everything Immediately

Before unloading coolers, bags, jackets, and children, make sure you are parked in a legal space and understand the walking route.

It is usually easier for one adult to confirm the route first than for the whole family to begin walking in the wrong direction with all the gear.

Bring only what you need aboard. Large coolers, excessive bags, beach equipment, and unnecessary items make the walk and boat loading more difficult.

Walking From the Parking Lot to the Boat

1. Walk toward the marina buildings and dock store.
2. Locate the walkway between the small hut and the two-story restaurant.
3. Follow the concrete path.
4. Keep the restaurant on your right.
5. Continue toward the dock store.
6. Stay to the left side of the dock store.
7. Walk toward the slips.
8. Look for the boat named Distraction in Slip E-12.

Walk past the small hut and continue down the pathway with the restaurant on your right. Stay left when you reach the dock store and continue toward the slips.

Using a Marina Cart

Black wheeled carts may be available near the parking lot or dock-store area.

You may use one to carry a small cooler or heavier bags when available.

Please do not leave a cart blocking a walkway or dock. Return it to the proper area after unloading, or place it where marina staff and other guests can retrieve it easily.

What to Carry to the Boat

Bring only the personal items your group needs for the trip:

• Food and drinks
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Hat or visor
• Comfortable clothing
• Personal medication
• Motion-sickness prevention when needed
• The physical credit card for payment
• Cash for the deckhand gratuity
• One small cooler for food and drinks

Leave a separate cooler in your vehicle for cleaned fish after the trip. We already carry a fish cooler aboard.

See the Complete What to Bring Checklist

Before Leaving Your Condo, Hotel, or Rental

Traveling From Nearby Vacation Areas

Orange Beach Marina is convenient to guests staying throughout the Alabama Gulf Coast and nearby Florida communities.

Actual drive time depends on your exact location, traffic, season, bridge congestion, beach traffic, construction, and special events.

Do not rely on a drive-time estimate calculated late at night or during light traffic. Recheck the route and leave a buffer.

Should You Make a Dry Run?

A practice visit is not required.

However, families staying nearby may find it helpful to drive by Orange Beach Marina the day before the trip.

This may be especially useful when:

• You are unfamiliar with Orange Beach
• Your departure is early in the morning
• You are traveling with young children
• You have several family members or vehicles
• A guest has mobility limitations
• You prefer to remove uncertainty before the trip

What If the Marina Is Busy?

Orange Beach Marina is an active working marina.

At different times, you may encounter restaurant traffic, marina customers, fishing crews, golf carts, service vehicles, fish-cleaning activity, and boats loading or unloading.

When the preferred parking area is crowded:

• Use another legal parking space
• Do not block traffic while waiting
• Keep children close while walking
• Allow extra time
• Call if you need help finding the boat

What If You Cannot Find Slip E-12?

What If You Are Running Late?

Call or text Captain Troy as soon as you know you will not arrive on time.

We will attempt to reach you before assuming you are not coming, but late arrival may reduce the available fishing time.

A delayed departure does not automatically extend the scheduled return time, especially when another trip or operational commitment follows.

Phone calls do not restore time lost because the group arrived late.

Restrooms at the Marina

Orange Beach Marina has restroom facilities, although access and dock-store hours may vary by season and time of day.

If you cannot locate an available marina restroom, ask Captain Troy or Sam when you arrive.

The Distraction also has a clean private restroom aboard.

Map to Distraction Charters