Sail Wild Hearts

Tag: Orange Beach

Make memories this summer that will last a lifetime aboard Wild Hearts catamaran

Summer is fast approaching and that means it is time to make some plans. If you and your family are heading to Gulf Shores or Orange Beach this summer, a cruise on Wild Hearts catamaran is an adventure the whole family will love.

While there are many cruise options to choose from, the Family Adventure Sail is a must! On this enjoyable 2-hour nature cruise, you will experience catch and release fishing firsthand, spot many local birds such as Sea Gulls, Pelicans, and Blue Herons, and enjoy quality time with your family!

The adventure continues with swimming and snorkeling in the beautiful Gulf waters (based on sea conditions). Dolphins, blue crabs, a variety of fish and maybe even a sea turtle are some of the local marine life you might spot!

Life jackets and bottled water are provided for all of our guests at no charge and sodas and snacks are available for purchase.

June 4, 2019
Learn a new language!

When spending time on a charter with the crew of Wild Hearts, you’re going to hear them using a unique language. Sailing terms are an extremely useful way to communicate on board a sailboat. When on the water, calling out “right” or “left” could get confusing, but using “port” or “starboard” instead can ensure everyone is on the same page.

Enjoy this list below so you can stop speaking like a landlubber!

Boom – This thick pole runs along the bottom of the mainsail.
Bow – The front of the boat.
Heeling – The term used when a sailboat leans over in the water by the force of the wind.
Helm – Commonly known as the ship’s wheel, this is how a boat is steered. It can be a big wheel or a tiller on a smaller boat.
Jib – One of the sails, it is forward of the mast. It does not have a boom.
Jibe – Similar to heeling, this is when you bring the stern of the boot through the wind.
Keel – The is the fin on the bottom of the boat that sticks into the water. It helps keep the boat stable and prevents capsizing.
Leeward – The side of the boat farthest away from the wind.
Lines – The ropes on the boat.
Mainsail – This is the largest and most important sail, triangular in shape.
Port – When facing the front of the boat, this is the left side.
Starboard – When facing the front of the boat, this is the right side.
Stern – The rear of the boat.
Tack – When used as a verb, it means to change direction by turning the bow of the boat through the wind. As a noun, the tack is the course you’re on, relative to the wind.
Windward – The windward side of the boat is that closest to the wind.

Memorize this list so next time you’re on the boat with Sail Wild Hearts, you’ll be able to speak their language.

April 2, 2019
Smooth sailing to adrenaline-pumping entertainment

“I feel the need, the need for speed . . .” With Sail Wild Hearts Dolphins & Blue Angels Sail, you can experience just that! On this cruise you will enjoy an extended cruising time, allowing for a wealth of opportunities to view dolphins in the gulf waters. But when the sailboat drops anchor in the waters off Pensacola, Florida, you know it’s time to watch the skies for the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy’s precision flying team.

This team of specially trained pilots calls Pensacola home, providing an opportunity to be wowed by their expertise on a regular basis. The Blue Angels team was established in 1946; throughout the life of the program, more than 250 pilots and 35 flight leaders have been associated with it. Each pilot must complete 120 training flights during the winter in order to perform a public demonstration. Since they fly at incredible speeds and sometimes only 18 inches apart, there is no doubt these talented pilots are among the best in the world.

Available most Tuesdays and Wednesdays from April through early November, the 6-hour sailing adventure takes you aboard our 53-foot, open-ocean catamaran. Included in your fee are water, soft drinks and fruit, as well as a light lunch served while enjoying the aerial acrobatics of the Blue Angels.

By choosing the Dolphins & Blue Angels Sail on Wild Hearts, you will get to avoid all the traffic hassles and crowded viewing spots while enjoying a perfect vantage point. Book this priceless experience now, as spring dates are already filling up!

Please note: Cruises are subject to cancellation due to weather or a change in the Naval operational schedule.

March 6, 2019
Spring into adventure with the WHOLE family!

Are you making your way to the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area for spring break? One of the biggest challenges is planning an agenda that all ages of your family will enjoy!

Booking an excursion with Sail Wild Hearts can be the perfect ticket. Our Family Adventure Sail has a component suited to all generations

The Family Adventure Sail is a nature excursion that showcases water fun. You will get to experience catch-and-release fishing, perfect for the outdoors aficionados and the newbies! Continue the adventure with swimming and snorkeling in the bright blue waters (based on sea conditions). Our experienced captains will be sure to point out unique marine life so you can make the most of your sail. And for the millennial in your family there’s nothing more Instagram-worthy than an afternoon with Sail Wild Hearts!

This 2-hour trip ticks all the boxes for a perfect experience for your WHOLE family. And we do everything we can to make your trip exciting and comfortable. Life jackets and bottled water are provided for all of our guests at no charge. Sodas and snacks are available for purchase.

Don’t stop at one experience, though. In addition to the Family Adventure Sail, our Sunset Cruise and the Kayak Adventure Snorkel Sail may be calling your name! Book your next adventure with Sail Wild Hearts today and enjoy the anticipation of a terrific time at sea.

February 15, 2019
Enjoy together time on a Family Adventure Cruise

Ready to hit the high seas this summer? We’ve got the perfect solution for adding a little adventure to your Orange Beach vacation. Pack your bags, load up the kids and apply plenty of sunscreen. You’re going on a Family Adventure Sail!

Fun for all ages, our Family Adventure Sail is a perennial favorite. We start off with a nature cruise, keeping our eyes peeled for the flora and fauna that make our area so unique. The lucky few may even spot a bottlenose dolphin or two! Catch and release fishing, snorkeling and swimming in the clear blue Gulf waters are the highlights of this two-hour, action-packed cruise.

You’ll want to bring a camera along to take plenty of pictures. Feel free to take as many photos as you like or let us handle it. We take photos and videos of all our cruises and promptly post to our social sites, so make sure to follow us on social and grab any pictures you like. Vacation photos? Check.

Our Family Adventure Sail will set you back $35 for adults and $20 for kids aged 3 to 12. Complimentary bottled water is included in the ticket price, and life jackets are always included and required for kids under 8. Once on board, soft drinks and snacks will be available for purchase to keep you hydrated and fueled for fun.

Think a Family Adventure Sail is right for you? We can’t wait for your crew to meet our crew! Make your reservation online or give us a call at 251-981-6700 to save your spot.

June 8, 2018
Five things to do at the beach this summer

Summer is fast approaching, and we’re already looking forward to good times in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach all season long. Whether your idea of a perfect summer vacation includes action and adventure or nothing but rest and relaxation, there’s something for everyone at the beach! No matter your vacation style, you’ll want to check the following five things off your bucket list this summer.

Hit the beach.
The white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters are calling your name. Pack your swimsuit, a beach umbrella and plenty of snacks for a fun-filled day of salt spray and waves. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

Grab a bite to eat.
There are so many tasty ways to experience Gulf Shores. Try fresh seafood straight from the gulf, or dine in style at a number of restaurants on the water. You’ve got to eat either way, right?

Enjoy the nightlife.
While it’s tempting to stay inside the condo and catch up on your sleep, you won’t want to miss out on craft cocktails, live music, new friends and nighttime fun in Gulf Shores. Check out this local calendar of events to see what’s popping during your stay!

Book a cruise.
See a whole new side of the beach on board a Sail Wild Hearts cruise. From romantic sunset sails to action-packed adventure trips, choose a cruise for an unforgettable aquatic adventure. Just be sure to bring your camera!

Make memories.
Whipping up a home-cooked meal in your condo, building sandcastles, snapping sunset pictures on a Sail Wild Hearts cruise or seeing your favorite band live . . . It’s all about making memories to last a lifetime.

Fine dining and craft cocktails? Offshore fishing and bushwackers? Plenty of sleep and poolside relaxation? How will you spend your summer vacation in Gulf Shores this year?

April 9, 2018
A Dolphin Sail on Wild Hearts is a Learning Adventure

At Sail Wild Hearts, we try to offer a number of experiences to entertain everyone in your crew. From our romantic sunset sails to our family adventure cruises, there’s something for everyone aboard our catamaran. Returning March 20 is a perennial favorite of folks of all ages: our Dolphins & Blue Angels Sail.

We invite you to join us for a once-in-a-lifetime experience of spotting dolphins in the wild aboard Sail Wild Hearts! We’ll head out toward Pensacola to catch sight of our local dolphin population in their natural habitat. While on board, fill up on breakfast and learn facts you’ve always wanted to know about dolphins.

Bottlenose dolphins are some of the smartest and friendliest animals on the planet. Did you know these incredibly fast swimmers have two stomachs and live up to 50 years? Feel free to ask questions and our crew will give you the scoop while you snap gorgeous pictures and make memories to last a lifetime.

In addition to spotting dolphins in the wild, our cruises include a unique view of the Blue Angels’ heart-stopping escapades, a sail to a historic Civil War fort in a protected lagoon, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding and more. Just pick the adventure you are seeking!

There’s no reason learning – or the fun – should stop during spring break. A cruise with Sail Wild Hearts is the perfect way to keep learners of all ages engaged in the world around them even when school’s out.

March 7, 2018
Meet the Crew: Mitch Bailey

Sail Wild Hearts crewmate Mitch Bailey grew up in Fort Payne, Alabama, then relocated to Gulf Shores with his family when he was 17.

How long have you been a crewmate?
Two separate summers.

How did you come to work aboard Wild Hearts?
Captain Zach is a family friend who offered me a job.

What do you love most about your job?
The outdoors. Last summer I interned at news stations in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. The majority of my day was spent indoors in front of a computer screen. Working for Wild Hearts gives me the opportunity to make good money and enjoy my summer.

What tip would you give someone who’s never sailed aboard Wild Hearts?
Soak in every moment on the boat, because it’s not every day you get to go sailing. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the sail.

September 19, 2017
Sail Wild Hearts is a great weekend getaway

Pack your bags! You’re headed to Orange Beach for a Sail Wild Hearts cruise. The summer may be winding down, but that doesn’t mean you can’t sneak in one more weekend getaway before the days get shorter.

Book your stay – Whether you prefer a boutique hotel or a cozy beach condo, there are plenty of lodging options in and around Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Feeling like getting in touch with nature? Bunker down at a local RV park or one of many area campsites.

Choose Your Cruise – Once you’re settled in, give Sail Wild Hearts a call or visit us online and reserve your spot on one of our cruises. Nature enthusiasts love our two-hour Snorkel & Sail Tour, and for the adventurers, there’s our high energy Kayak Adventure Snorkel Sail. Our most popular sail seems to be the Family Adventure Sail, a two-hour cruise that features a little bit of everything. Or for just the two of you, go with the romantic Sunset Cruise. You won’t regret it.

Worked up an appetite? Venture along one or more of these food trails and discover the best seafood at Fisher’s Dockside, gumbo at Doc’s Seafood Shack, burgers at Luna’s and fun cocktails at LuLu’s.

Head Outdoors – Ready to explore the great outdoors? Pier fishing and charter fishing trips are great options for amateurs and pros alike. For the landlubbers, there’s scenic hiking along the Alabama Birding Trail and the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail. Just make sure to pack your walking shoes and binoculars!

Consult the Calendar – When planning your weekend getaway to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, always check the calendar to see what concerts, events and activities are planned during your stay so you can join in the fun.

There’s no better way to spend a weekend than camping, cruising, eating and exploring your way around Orange Beach! Hope to see you this weekend.

August 17, 2017
Ask the crew: What’s your favorite cruise?

At Sail Wild Hearts, we offer a variety of cruising experiences tailored to you. Each of our cruises presents a unique experience to get out on the water your way, whether you’re an adventure seeker or the romantic type.

With so many options for fun in the sun, choosing can feel a little overwhelming. If you’ve sifted through our Facebook and Yelp reviews and you’re still having a tough time choosing, why not hear what our crew has to say?

We asked the folks behind the Sail Wild Hearts magic about their favorite cruises, and here’s what they had to say.

Captain Zach Smith

My favorite cruise is the Dolphins and Angels. It is hands down the coolest thing I am fortunate enough to take part in. From here to the Virgin Islands there is nothing like it packed in six to seven hours. From the moment the passengers come aboard to the time

we return, we transform their vacation into something bigger than a trip. It becomes an experience. On this cruise, we get to really connect and know the guests. We have a set plan, yet it’s never the same. We have breakfast and snacks on the way while getting to see either the Gulf of Mexico or Intracoastal Waterway, depending on weather conditions. We almost always see dolphins on the way as an added bonus. Once we get to our anchor point just south of the “haunted” lighthouse, we are dazzled with the amazing brilliance and talent of the military’s finest at flight. After dozens of these trips, the flyby and maneuvers are still awesome and surprising even when I am expecting it to come. After the show, stopping at Fort McRee is a great break and chance to explore, kayak, paddle-board, snorkel and swim at a remote location that only those in the know could find. Lunch is prepared and served fresh, and after an hour or so we load up and return home. Fresh pineapple or watermelon is then prepared and offered to all, along with great music keeping everyone relaxed and pumped about what happened while taking in what was just experienced. This is a trip I look forward to and can’t express more how it should be an essential thing to do on any vacation in our unique corner of the world.”

Mitch Bailey

“My favorite trip is the Blue Angels. I love going to Pensacola and watching the Angels practice their flight routine. It’s also great to see the customers react to the Blues flying over the boat. They really enjoy how close we are able to get. The trip also gives us the chance to sail, which is always a plus.

Another trip I enjoy is the Sunset Cruise. Being on the water is always a great experience, but it’s even better when scenic views of the sunset are added. It also gives the crew a chance to get more involved with the customers because once we’re out on the water we can interact with them. Meeting people and finding out about where they’re from and what they do is always a great experience.”

Hannah Davidson

“My favorite trip would definitely have to be the Sunset Cruise. There are always plenty of chocolate chip cookies and good music. You can relax and enjoy a unique Gulf Coast sunset. The possibility of seeing some wildlife like dolphins and sea turtles always makes the trip exciting. You will not regret joining us for a lovely evening on the water.”

When it comes to booking your cruise, it’s best to trust the experts! Visit us online to see all our offerings and to book your Sail Wild Hearts cruise.

July 11, 2017