Water Sports

Ride on the peaceful waters found all throughout Alabama. Whether you’re seeking a relaxing canoe ride, intense kayaking or water sports on our many lakes, Alabama’s waters let you explore the wonders of our state from a different perspective. Take on your next water adventure across our beautiful state.

Seasonality: Late winter through early summer
Optimal Skill Level: Beginner to expert
Photo: Keith Bozeman

Make a Splash

Paddling

Spend a beautiful Alabama day out on the water. Paddle down our more than 132,000 miles of lakes, streams and rivers as you soak in the sights and sounds of our tranquil waters. From canoeing to kayaking to rafting to stand-up paddling, Alabama has something for everyone.

Check out some of the best locations to get moving on the water.

Harold Banks Canoe Trail

Tallapoosa, AL

Launch out on the Tallapoosa River and hit the Harold Banks Canoe Trail, named after the first person to solo paddle the entire 258 miles of the Tallapoosa River in 2009. This river trail runs near the end of the Appalachian Mountains and winds through beautiful foliage and landscapes.

Bartram Canoe Trail

Southwestern Alabama

The Bartram Canoe Trail runs through the nation’s second-largest river delta, the Mobile-Tensaw. The trail features six day-use and overnight trails available for travelers, with land-based and platform campsites for those looking to camp on their journey. Reservations are limited to canoeists and kayakers.

Cahaba River Trail

Jefferson County, AL

Paddling down the Cahaba River on the Cahaba River Trail is a great way to enjoy the Alabama waters. With 194 miles flowing through eight Alabama counties, the Chaba River’s gentle waters are a perfect environment for a canoeing, kayaking or stand-up paddle adventure.

Coosa River

Wetumpka, AL

Journey through the flat water and the rapids of the Coosa River on a kayak. Or float down the calm mountain streams in a canoe. Whether a beginning paddler, an expert or looking for fun the whole family can enjoy, the Coosa River has options for everyone.

Perdido Canoe Trail

Baldwin County, AL

Located in Baldwin County on the Perdido River, this 19-mile canoe trail boasts gentle waters and exciting routes for paddlers of all kinds and skill levels. The Perdido River Canoe Trail also features many opportunities for travelers to camp and rest on land.

Wake up Adventure

Wakesports

Alabama’s waters provide a thrilling destination for wakesports enthusiasts. With calm lakes and winding rivers, there’s no shortage of places to carve the water and get some airtime. Whether you’re looking for wakeboarding, wakesurfing or waterskiing, your next watersport adventure is right here in Alabama.

Hit the water in Alabama with these wakesport locations across the state.

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

Gulf Shores, AL

With equipment rentals, charters and beautiful open waters, the coast of the Gulf of Mexico provides one of the best places to hit the open waters. From wakeboarding to jet skiing and everything in between, the Gulf Coast is ready to give you the adventure for which you’ve been waiting.

Lake Guntersville

Guntersville, AL

Lake Guntersville offers 75 miles and 69,000 acres of freshwater for your next wake adventure, making it a popular Alabama destination. Whether you’re wakeboarding or tubing, this lake is the perfect spot.

Flipside Watersports

Pelham, AL

Located at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Flipside Watersports is a cable wakeboard park for riders of all skill levels. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been on the ropes more than once, Flipside has fun for the whole family.

Lewis Smith Lake

North Alabama

Summertime is the best time to hit the Alabama waters and spend time doing water sports on Lewis Smith Lake. Located in Cullman, Walker and Winston counties, this lake covers over 21,000 acres and offers the perfect water for wakeboarding, wakesurfing, waterskiing or tubing.

Lake Martin

Central Alabama

This popular lake found in Tallapoosa, Elmore and Coosa counties boasts over 39,000 acres and 700 miles of water. While people fish, boat and relax on the lake, Lake Martin also provides a great place to wakesport. Third-party watersport outfitters are at different spots on the lake to help train you and get you more action on the water.

Set Sail

Sailing

Set sail on Alabama’s coastline. The Gulf of Mexico welcomes sailors of all skill levels to explore its beautiful blue waters. From the bays to the open waters, Alabama has endless sailing opportunities.

Find your next sailing adventure in the waters of Alabama.

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

Gulf Shores, AL

Sail off into the coastal Alabama waters in Orange Beach or Gulf Shores. Bring your own boat or rent one from one of the area’s outfitters. For those wanting to sit back and enjoy the ride, outfitters also offer charters.

North Alabama Sailing Marina

Guntersville, AL

Located in Guntersville, the North Alabama Sailing Marina (NASM) is an open-water sailing haven on beautiful Lake Guntersville. With options for vacation rentals, lake houses, cabins and more, the NASM makes for a great place for a weekend getaway or a week-long stay.

Barber Marina

Elberta, AL

Barber Marina offers a great place to launch off your next sailing adventure. Located on the Intracoastal Waterway in Elberta, this world-class marina has options and amenities perfect for all kinds of sailboats.

As you adventure, follow leave no trace principles and help keep Alabama beautiful.

Featured Article

Dive In: Experience Alabama’s Water Wonderland

Everywhere I look, life flourishes. An alligator slides from the bank into dusky green water. Willows’ ribbon-like leaves hang from bending branches swaying above the slough. A brown pelican perches on the twisted limb of a greyed cypress, eyeing a jumping bass. Overhead, a swallowtail kite soars in a cloudless sky, the sharp points of its tailfeathers silhouetted against brilliant blue.