Dauphin Island Family Vacation Archives

Your next vacation doesn’t have to be far from home. Plan a weekend getaway in Alabama and enjoy a change of scenery while still being close enough to drive from home. If you are looking for a destination where you can experience beautiful beaches, small-town charm, local history, and wildlife, look no further than Dauphin Island on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Spend a weekend in a Boardwalk Realty vacation rental and fill your itinerary with these fun activities:

Please keep in mind that Boardwalk Realty has a three-night minimum stay for many of our rentals.

Friday

Arrive on Dauphin Island in the afternoon and check into your Boardwalk Realty vacation rental.

If your rental is four bedrooms or less, check-in begins at 3:00 pm. If your rental is five bedrooms or larger, check-in starts at 4:00 pm. After getting settled into your rental home, start exploring the island.

Walk to the beach and relax on the white sand shoreline, while suntanning, swimming, and beachcombing.
Grab dinner at Pirate’s Bar & Grill and enjoy fresh seafood, burgers, and drinks while overlooking the waterfront.
Check the Dauphin Island events calendar and attend a special event during your visit.
Return to your vacation rental to relax and unwind before resting up for a full day of adventures tomorrow.

Saturday

Wake up early and start exploring everything Dauphin Island has to offer.

Start your day at Lighthouse Bakery and sit down to enjoy one of their breakfast specials or order delicious pastries to go and enjoy them by the beach.
Visit the Alabama Aquarium and see marine life from Mobile Bay in the aquarium exhibits. Check to see if any excursions are available during your visit to get an up-close look at marine life in the waters surrounding Dauphin Island.
After learning about life in the water, head on land to watch for birds at the Audubon Bird Sanctuary.
Visit the Dauphin Island Marina and sign up for a guided sunset cruise or dolphin watching tour. If you are hungry before or after, you can stop for a meal nearby at Capt’n Snapper’s Marina Bar & Grill.
Head back to the beach for more fun in the sun. If you are staying in one of our Dauphin Island vacation rentals with a pool, you can head back and splash around there instead.
Stop at Skinner Seafood and pick up some fresh seafood to prepare for dinner.

Sunday

Explore Historic Fort Gaines and walk through the remnants of this historic site that has guarded Mobile Bay for more than 150 years.
Rent a kayak or pontoon and get on the water for an afternoon of sightseeing, wildlife watching, and fishing.
Sign up for a fishing charter and fish the abundant inshore and offshore waters of Dauphin Island with a local expert.
Shop for souvenirs and local artwork at the gift shops in town.
End the day with a delicious dinner at a Dauphin Island restaurant.

Monday

Check out of your vacation rental by 9:30 am. Head home for the weekend, or check out some of the attractions and activities you have missed over the weekend.

Browse our Dauphin Island vacation rentals and find the perfect accommodations for your Alabama weekend getaway!

Find the Right Location on Dauphin Island

The first step in planning your Dauphin Island family vacation is deciding where to stay. Discover the difference in island locations at the bottom of our FAQ page. Then, decide if you want to stay on the Gulf of Mexico or the Island’s North Shore along the Mississippi Sound and Mobile Bay. For example, our Gulf Front properties are located directly on the beach of the Gulf of Mexico. And our Bayfront/Soundfront rentals are located along the Mississippi Sound or Mobile Bay.

Decide What Amenities Your Family Needs

Then, decide what kind of amenities your family needs. Want a pool to cool off this summer? Reserve one of our Dauphin Island vacation homes with a private pool. Want to explore the waterways on a boat? Our boat-dock properties are the perfect option. Looking to bring your dog along for the trip? Book one of our pet-friendly homes!

Plan Your Itinerary

After booking your rental home, it’s time to start planning your itinerary. Check out these kid-friendly attractions and activities for inspiration:

Spend an afternoon at our local beaches and enjoy activities like swimming, shelling, and wildlife watching.

Visit the Alabama Aquarium and take the kids to learn about the marine life of Mobile Bay.

Surround yourself with nature and watch birds and wildlife at the Audubon Bird Sanctuary.

Take a tour with your family at historic Fort Gaines and learn local history together.

Play a round of miniature golf at Island Golf.

Check the calendar of events during your stay and see what family-friendly events are happening around the island.

Reserve a Dauphin Island boat rental and explore the Mississippi Sound or Mobile Bay with the family while sightseeing, fishing, and watching for wildlife.

Fuel up for your adventures at one of the island’s restaurants. And on days you want to save on dining out, you can prepare meals together in your vacation rental kitchen!

Book Your Dauphin Island Family Vacation Rental

Start planning your Dauphin Island family vacation with Boardwalk Realty and find the perfect property for your group. If you need assistance finding the right vacation rental, don’t hesitate to contact us at 1-877-861-3992. Our friendly rental experts are here to help you find the best rental option for you and your family!

Dauphin Island Family Vacation