Don’t Worry About Big Airports, Fly To Gulf Shores, AL
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Gulf Shores International Airport (IATA: GUF, ICAO: KJKA, FAA LID: JKA) is a towered public airport owned by Gulf Shores Airport Authority. Also Known as Jack Edwards Field, it’s located 2 nautical miles north of the city of Gulf Shores in Baldwin County, Alabama. This airport was upgraded to commercial in 2023 but the new terminal isn’t scheduled for completion until 2025. This airfield has two runways as follows at an elevation of 17 ft.
| Direction | Length | Surface |
| 9/27 | 6,962 x 100 ft or 2,122 x 30 m | Asphalt |
| 17/35 | 3,596 x 75 ft or 1,096 x 23 m | Asphalt |
As of yet there is no commercial traffic at Gulf Shores International Airport but they have received a $5M grant to help support the new commercial terminal. The nearest commercial traffic would be in Pensacola which is approximately 26 miles from Gulf Shores.
Jack Edwards field is home to Aeropro Flight School and Skywarrior Flight School. There is also the Coastal Aircraft Services, Inc. for AOG and off-site maintenance. It’s a full service aircraft maintenance company.
In addition, the Gulf Air Center is this airfield’s full service FBO which includes fuel, aircraft maintenance, catering, GPU’s, lavatory service, a pilot planning and computer station, and options for after hours service. After hours phone is 251-979-7270 if you need it.
Transportation
There are crew cars available from the Gulf Air Center. You can also get a shuttle/taxi to or from Pensacola to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach through United Airport Shuttle. Rental cars are available at the airport through Hertz or Enterprise and in nearby Foley through Expedia.com. (affiliate link)
Food and Drink
Just for the experience you should drive up to Foley, Alabama and try Lambert’s Cafe, Home of the Throwed Rolls. Lambert’s Cafe is a bit of an epicurean adventure. The food was great, there was lots of it, and it was fun!
If down home cookin’ isn’t your thing you’ve literally landed in seafood heaven. For a nice view of the Gulf I would recommend the Original Oyster House Boardwalk, almost any seafood you could imagine and the prices aren’t outrageous. If you want to support the local economy the shrimp platter at a place called the Shrimp Basket is great and they use locally sourced catches so everything is as fresh as can be.
Another place with a great view and great food is the Sea-N-Suds Restaurant. Famous for gumbo and hushpuppies it has a very laid back and casual beachy atmosphere.
We tried the Pier House Restaurant Bar and really liked it. Flaming desserts and seafood pasta to die for! Apparently I missed out by not ordering the cheesecake eggrolls.
If you’re looking for somewhere decent close to the airport, LuLu’s is your ticket. Nice cocktails, good food, great key lime pie and live music on occasion.
Another cool place was the Sunliner Diner, very cool old style diner complete with antique cars.
Grab a burger and a milkshake at the counter while listening to the oldies at the Sunliner Diner in Gulf Shores, Alabama!
Things To Do
Springtime in Orange Beach has plenty of outdoor adventures! Down on Orange Beach. There is usually volleyball, always shell searching, sunset watching, and sometimes music. The three day Music Hangout Festival starts this year on May 17th, click the link to find tickets. This year (2024) features Zach Bryan, Lane Del Rey, and Odesza. The NCAA Volleyball Tournament starts May 3, 2024. You can get tickets at SeatsforEveryone.com. There are dolphin and sunset sailing trips if you like to be on the water.
If you want something a little different that is still aviation related, and you’re a brave soul, check out BeachFlight Aviation. They have gyro-planes that give you a great view of the coast. They’ll even let you fly a little, although not alone. Sorry pilots.
There are 8 public golf courses in Gulf Shores and another 7 within 20 miles. The highest rating is for ONE Club Golf which is straight north of the field right off of Highway 59. Inspired and designed by Arnold Palmer, you know it’s gotta be good.
The easiest and cheapest way to take in some of the local flavor and attractions is probably the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Area Multi-Attraction Pass from Expedia.com. (affiliate link) If your stay is short and you only have time for one or two excursions it’s probably not worth it. However, if you’re staying a few days and want to take in the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, the Wharf Farris Wheel, Blakely State Park and Foley’s Depot Museum and model train Exhibit it’s worth it in spades.
Where to Stay
I found great deals on Orbitz.com (affiliate link) if you want to stay near the zoo. Beachside hotels are more expensive. You could also choose the One Club Gulf Shore upscale condo at the golf course.
If the beach is your thing, the Condeaux Beach V is right up your alley. Any condo near the beach will supply bed linens but all of them ask you to bring your own beach towels. Their bath towels are not allowed off of the property and some of them only allow monthly rentals during winter, so be sure to ask if you’re looking for sunshine in January.
In Conclusion
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach make for a lovely getaway. The weather is usually pretty mild (except in the dog days of summer) and the prices are wonderful compared with most of the East or West Coast.
As always, if you have a suggested airport please let us know. You can sign up for email notifications about our latest airport information by using this link jettreks.com.
Safe travels,
Jo@jettreks.com