Planning a Trip to Perdido Key & Orange Beach
First time, or just want to do it right this time? Start here — when to come, how to get in, where to base yourself, and what not to miss.
Quick answers
How do you get to Perdido Key and what is the nearest airport?
The nearest airport to Perdido Key is Pensacola International Airport (PNS), roughly a 30–40 minute drive away. Some visitors also fly into Pensacola for the Florida side, or use the airports near Mobile, Alabama, for the Orange Beach side. There's no public transit to the beach, so you'll want a rental car.
Where is the best place to watch the sunset in Perdido Key?
For the best sunset on Perdido Key, head to the bay and sound side rather than the Gulf beach. Because the Gulf lies to the south, from most Gulf-front spots the sun sets down the beach instead of over the water — but on the bay and Intracoastal side it drops straight over open water. Perdido Pass, the back bays, and the bay-side bars and restaurants on Innerarity Point are the reliable picks.
What is Perdido Key known for?
Perdido Key is known for its quiet, sugar-white beaches and a more laid-back feel than the bigger resort strips nearby. The highlights are the protected Gulf Islands National Seashore at Johnson Beach, Perdido Key State Park, some of the best fishing on the Gulf Coast out of Perdido Pass, and the famous Flora-Bama roadhouse straddling the Florida–Alabama state line.