Coastal Wildlife & Nature on Perdido Key
Perdido Key is a barrier island full of life, from nesting sea turtles to the endangered beach mouse. Here's what shares the water and sand with you, how to coexist, and where to see it.
Quick answers
Are there sharks in Perdido Key?
Yes — sharks live in the Gulf of Mexico off Perdido Key, as they do along the entire coast. But bites are extremely rare, and millions of people swim here every year without incident. A few simple habits keep an already-tiny risk even smaller.
Are there jellyfish in Perdido Key?
Yes, jellyfish appear seasonally at Perdido Key, most commonly in the warmer water of late summer when onshore winds push them toward the beach. When they've been spotted, lifeguards fly a purple flag. Most stings here are painful but minor.
Are there stingrays in Perdido Key, and how do you avoid them?
Stingrays are common in the warm shallows at Perdido Key, where they rest half-buried in the sand. They're not aggressive and only sting when stepped on. The fix is the "stingray shuffle" — slide your feet along the bottom instead of taking steps, and they'll feel you coming and swim off.
Can you see dolphins in Perdido Key?
Yes. Atlantic bottlenose dolphins live in these waters year-round and are one of the most reliable wildlife sightings on the coast. Your best odds are around Perdido Pass and the Intracoastal Waterway on the bay and sound side, and on a dedicated dolphin cruise out of the Orange Beach marinas. You can also spot them from the beach and the pier when they move through chasing bait fish.