Alabama Point is located at Orange Beach and is one of the more dependable surfing spots in Alabama, thanks to its setup of manmade structures like breakwaters and jetties. The area has limited swell exposure of about 50 miles, which can make it pretty fickle at times. If you’re looking for rideable waves, you generally need some local south-southeast windswell or a nice tropical system to kick things up a notch. It can handle decent size when the conditions come together, with the potential for waves reaching up to six-foot faces during bigger southeast swells.
The waves here tend to work best with south to southeast swells and can manage sizes from about 2 feet (0.6 meters) up to 6 feet (1.8 meters). You’ll mostly find beach breaks over a sandy bottom, making it suitable for surfers of all levels, from beginners to experts. The best times to surf are usually during low to mid tides, and it’s ideal to have the wind blowing from the north or north-northwest. In terms of board types, shortboards, funboards, and longboards all can find a sweet spot in these waves, depending on what you’re comfortable with.
Access to Alabama Point is easy, with free parking available nearby. The crowd factor is generally manageable, although some bigger swells might bring in surfers from the surrounding areas, but there’s often enough wave to share. So, if you’re hitting up Alabama Point, just remember that it's not the most consistent spot, but when it’s on, it can deliver some solid fun.