We've answered our most frequently asked questions below, but if you don't see what you need, please call us for more information. We're happy to help, and we look forward to hearing from you!
We are a private marina and do not rent slips to the public. For commercial slip rentals please call 251-981-4127
All Hudson Marina customers are offered free parking for use during their excursion.
Yes! Avenue Pub Orange Beach is located on property for pre or post trip food and drinks!
Yes, all water activities come with a life jacket. Jet ski rentals, jet boat thrill ride, and everyone under 8 must wear a life jacket at all times. Life jackets are provided free for use during your activity.
Our deckhands do fish cleaning for tips after each fishing charters. We do no offer fish cleaning service for hire, only for our customers who go on our affordable fishing charters. We also do not allow anyone to clean their own fish on property.
We do not offer parasailing at this time!
Bait, fishing license, and tackle are all provided for you on the boat. So all you need to bring is a cooler with any drinks and snacks you want on board. No glass!
Customers will receive a full refund with purchase of protection plan with 48 hours notice of cancellation. Customers will also receive a full refund in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us by phone to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows will be charged the full price.
Our fishing charters primarily focus on bottom fishing. Our most popular fish are Red Snapper and Vermillion Snapper of course, but we also catch a variety of other reef fish such as Trigger Fish, Amberjack, Tomtate, Lane Snapper and more! Occasionally we get a Cobia, Mackerel and shark. Check out our 'What We Catch' link at the bottom of the page to get a description of each fish we catch on the water!
If you are prone to motion sickness, we suggest that you take either ginger tablets or Dramamine. It helps if you take some the night before and then first thing in the morning when you wake up with oatmeal for breakfast. Make sure you eat something for breakfast as well so that your stomach is settled before you go out!
All of our vessels are equipped with clean marine restrooms as well as an indoor air-conditioned cabins.
We are the cheapest 4-hour fishing trip in town, so everyone is the same rate. Our mates are on board to help your child if they need it, and the kids are also welcome to help the captain drive the boat back in to port. We try to keep our rates as low as possible for everyone.
You will still need to pay the same price since because we do have limited space on our vessels. We do encourage you to ride along to take pictures of your family while they real in the big catch!
As long as it meets regulations and is in season, you will get to keep what you catch if you want. The mates on board will be able to let you know once you reel your fish in. At the end of the trip you can have your fish cleaned by our deckhands (for tips) or take them home. We do not split catches or share, you keep YOUR FISH.
Our 4hr Charters travel 8-12 miles offshore in the Gulf so we can bottom fish.
The 6hr Charters go out 8-25 miles for our trips.
Inshore fishing is bay fishing. Primarily they fish for speckled trout, red fish, catfish, and flounder. Offshore fishing takes you 8-25 miles offshore into the Gulf and bottom fish at a reef. Primarily the fish are snapper, grouper, and trigger.
At the end of the trip our deckhands do fish cleaning for tips! The mates will filet the fish for you and put them in a plastic bag for you to easily carry it away.
Most people use the cooler they bring for drinks during the trip. By the end of the trip, the cooler is empty, and the fish fit great in there!
We operate Federally Permitted Vessel-For-Hire with our 2026 Red Snapper Dates Being June 1- October 26, 2026.
Our tackle varies but mainly 4/0 Penn Senator Combos with 60lbs line and 40lbs leader.
Dolphins are wild animals moving freely as they choose, but our crew is experienced in finding them. There is no guarantee that we do see dolphins, however our crew does guarantee they will do everything they can to find as many as possible and find and have the most enjoyable experience as possible. We often have great success and have great trips!
This is a dolphin cruise, so you will not be able to get in the water with the dolphin. Keep in mind that these are wild animals, and we are only viewing them in their natural habitat.
Infants 1 year old and younger are $5.
You are welcome to bring a cooler with any drinks and snacks you want on board. Adult beverages are welcome, but are preferred to be in a can or cup and not a glass bottle.
We always try to work around the weather. It is not your fault if it storms on the day that you have reserved, but we do try to help you get on a cruise if you would like to reschedule before you head home. Since there is always a possibility for bad weather, we do suggest that you make your reservations early in your vacation so that you have more flexibility with the weather. We do operate in light rain and closely monitor lightning and thunder.
Dolphin are wild animals and we are only observing them in their natural habitat. Feeding wild dolphin can cause them to forget how to hunt, and we are not here to disrupt their natural instincts. It is also against the law to feed any of the wildlife in our area.
The cruise lasts 90 minutes and is full of nature, wildlife, and scenic views.
We go where the dolphin are. Our captains communicate with other captains who have been out that day, and are able to let us know where the dolphin have been seen that day. If the Gulf is calm, we will venture out through the pass and enjoy the Gulf waters, however, we do not wish to get anyone sick for any reason. If it is too rough, we stay in the back bay and enjoy the wildlife that is found in Perdido Bay and Wolf Bay along the intercoastal. Saftey and comfort is our number one concern.
Both of our dolphin boats are open air vessels that allow for unobstructed views and to get as close to the dolphin as possible. Feel the saltwater breeze and hear the waves crash as you cruise throughout our local waters.
All Pirate Cruises are 90 Minutes!
Maybe!
The pirate adventure is an entertainment cruise full of fun pirate training activities and games. While underway we can see a variety of marine life including sea turtles. We do sometimes see dolphin, but we do not target or change the route in search of dolphin.
Our scenic pirate cruise and live music cruise focus more on sightseeing so we will slow down to spend time with dolphin or other wildlife.
Pirate Adventure:
You may! During the Spring/Summer/Fall months, we recommend clothes you can get wet in or a swimsuit and a change of clothes for those tall and small who choose to participate (particularly our cabin kids)! Some of our Pirate Training Activities do include water as a good way to stay cool and have fun in the heat! A towel and/ or swim clothes are recommended. Anyone who wants to stay dry; Watch out for the Splash Zone.
Scenic and Live Music Cruise:
You will not! We do not do any games or activities on these cruises.
Pirate Ship Adventure
Once on board our authentic 65ft wooden pirate ship, our pirate crew will lead you and your mini-mates in an interactive performance full of fun games and activities!
You will learn how to be a part of our pirate crew! Learn how to earn your sea legs, put out a fire on the ship, catch cannonballs, read and fold a treasure map, earn pirate punch, sing songs, dance along, and hear true stories of pirates before us in our very own waters!
Scenic Pirate Cruise:
Set sail on the Pirate Ship Scenic Cruise for a relaxing and memorable journey perfect for all ages! Enjoy the unique experience of sailing on our authentic pirate ship while taking in the natural beauty of the local waterways.
A Journey of Discovery and Relaxation
This 90-minute cruise offers a peaceful alternative to our high-energy interactive pirate adventures, focusing on coastal appreciation and discovery for the whole family.
Relaxing Atmosphere: Experience the charm of our pirate ship while cruising our local bays and gulf waters. It's a fantastic way to unwind and enjoy the sea breeze without any of the pirate games.
Live, Engaging Narration: Aboard, our crew will provide a detailed, fascinating narrated tour of the area. Learn about local landmarks, coastal history, and the marine environment as we glide along the water.
Pirate Adventure:
Water and Pirate Punch are provided halfway through the excursion; however, you are permitted to bring a small cooler with anything you would like, no glass please. Alcohol is permitted in moderation for all guests 21+.
Scenic Pirate Cruise:
Water is available throughout entire excursion. Alcohol is permitted.
Children 8 years old and younger are required by the Alabama Marine Police to wear a lifejacket at all times while on board a vessel. If you have your own lifejacket, feel free to bring your own. We have them available for everyone. Adults are not required to wear lifejackets while on the boat, there are safety vests located in the cabin that will be distributed to you if necessary.
Yes! Our pirate crew prides themselves on keeping our clean marine toilet ship shape!
Yes! We have bench seating throughout the ship, on the outside of the cargo hatch, and shaded seating in the stern
The American Star is modeled after the original Pinta and Nina that sailed across the Atlantic Ocean. It is an all-wooden boat, and there is a cabin on board which will provide some shading if necessary.
Our Ship is an authentic 1959 Wooden ship. We maintain the ship to the highest standards but in order to keep it as authentic as possible, we do not have air conditioning. We do however have a large shaded area in the stern. Our captain also keeps the vessel moving as much as possible to maximize the wind and keep everyone comfortable.
No! Our Pirate Adventure is fun for everyone tall and small!
Yes! Please call 251-981-4127 for specific pricing.
We send you off full, and when you get back, we fill you up with gas. You only pay for what you use, and the cost is just market price at the time of your rental.
We have lifejackets for everyone on board the vessel. Kids 8 and under are required by law to wear lifejackets while on a boat. Please let us know if you want wearable lifejackets for any of your children over 8 years of age.
A full day rental includes a full 8 hours out on the water. All boats need to be returned by 6pm, so the latest time to pick up your boat is 10am for a full day rental. Anytime before 10am is also good to pick up your full day boat. Keep in mind that you need to have your captains here at least 30 minutes early to complete their paperwork so that we can get you out for your full 8 hours. Our half day rentals are broken up into morning and afternoon times. Afternoon times are anytime between 12.30pm and 2pm for pickup and returned in 4 hours. And the morning times the boats can be picked up anytime before 10am and returned in 4 hours.
Fishing is permitted with an additional cleaning fee. If you would like to fish, you do need to have a temporary fishing license which you can purchase online (http://www.OutdoorAlabama.com/licenses) or over the phone (1-888-848-6887).
The boats can pull a tube, just keep in mind that you are on a pontoon boat, and it will not pull a tube in the same manner that a speedboat will. Our 22 foot and bigger boats are permitted to pull a tube.
You can take your boat anywhere in the bay area. The only place you are not allowed to go is under the bridge, into the pass, and out into the Gulf. We sell a map here for $10 which we will go over with you before you go out if you do not wish to purchase it.
We only rent pontoon boats and jet skis. If you are looking for a faster boat, I recommend you rent one of our jet skis!
As long as your 16 year old has a valid driver's license that is not suspended in any state, they can drive the boat with an adult present 21+
All of the boats have a radio and bluetooth connection, however not all boats have a port for charging.
We have 3-seater jet skis, but we recommend due to the weight limit, that it is best for 2 adults and one small child at most for the weight. The more weight you put on the jet ski, the more likely it is that the ski will flip over and all people will fall off. Our maximum weight is 350lbs max.
At 16 you can drive on your own ski with a parent out on another ski with you. At 21, you are good to go alone.
All you need is a valid driver's license and a major credit card that we can hold as a damage deposit.
There are no timers on our jet skis, so you need to bring a way to tell time. We sell waterproof phone cases in the store.
Anywhere in the bay. The only place you are not allowed to ride is in the Gulf. If you are found going under the bridge, out into the Pass, and into the Gulf, you will be escorted back to the marina and you will not get a refund.
Any age can ride. It is up to the parent to decide.
