Adventure Outdoors Magazine Spring 2018 | Page 113

ADVENTURE IS CALLING YOU
To ThE AlAbAmA GuLf CoAsT
While slowly descending into the turquoise waters of the
Alabama’s Gulf Coast, you slowly breathe into your reg-
ulator as your bubbles float to the surface, and you start
to take in your magnificent surroundings. You’re sur-
rounded by several swirls of schools of colorful red snap-
per, amberjack, mullet, flounder and Spanish mackerel.
You slowly descend some more and spy the first deck
and wheelhouse of the freighter LuLu sunk in 2013. While
here, you spot an octopus disappearing into its lair, a sea
turtle languidly exploring the area and a few juvey tropi-
cal fish flitting about. It hits you that this artificial reef is
like no other dive you have ever experienced.
After talking to your new scuba
diving buddies on the return trip,
you realize Alabama boasts
17,000 artificial reefs spanning
1,200 square miles. It is one of the
largest artificial reef systems in the
U.S, and it has helped make Gulf
Shores and Orange Beach one of
the top fishing destinations along
the Gulf Coast as well as a scuba
diving hot spot.
Speaking of fishing, did you know
the area has one of the largest
fishing charter fleets in the Gulf?
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach
have more than 100 experienced
captains ready to take you out on
the water and help you reel in the
catch of a lifetime. You might also
make a lucky catch from The Gulf
State Park Pier. It offers 2,448 feet
of prime Gulf Coast fishing space
along its rails, as well as a conces-
sion area and shop for tackle and
souvenirs.
Adventure Outdoors | Spring 2018 | 111