Dauphin Island Family Vacation

Jun 30 2026

For many Alabama natives, a trip to the Alabama Gulf Coast is an annual tradition. It’s the perfect place to soak up the sunshine, play at the beach, cool down in the Gulf waters, attend events, and experience fun for the whole family. Choose Dauphin Island as your next summer vacation destination and experience a destination full of small-town charm, beautiful beaches, rich history, and an abundance of native wildlife. Stay on the island with Boardwalk Realty and select one of our Gulf Front vacation rentals, just minutes from the beach. Or elevate your stay with one of our private pool rentals and enjoy a private place to cool off after a day of exploring the island.

Add these Dauphin Island activities to your summer vacation itinerary:

1. Play at Dauphin Island Beaches

Many people come to Dauphin Island in the summer just to experience the beach. Walk to the beach from your vacation home and enjoy activities like swimming, birdwatching, surf fishing, sunbathing, relaxing, and beachcombing. Then, return to your vacation home to shower, relax, and unwind after a day in the sun.

2. Have Fun on the Water

Spend the perfect summer day exploring the waterways of Dauphin Island. Head to Dauphin Island Marina for guided tours, fishing charters, and pontoon rentals. Join one of their guided tours or take your boat rental into the Gulf for a day of fishing, wildlife viewing, and sightseeing.

Beyond the marina, you can enjoy excellent kayaking conditions in the calm waters of Aloe Bay or Bayou Sound.

What to Do on Your Dauphin Island Boat Rental

3. Attend Events on Dauphin Island

Make the most of your vacation by checking out the free summer events happening across the island. Head to East Beach every Thursday evening to watch free family-friendly movies together. Listen to live music every month during the Sunset Concert Series at Fort Gaines. Or join us for the annual Dauphin Island Fishing Rodeo in July.

4. Explore Nature & Watch Wildlife

Explore nature and watch local wildlife on Dauphin Island. Pretty much the entire island is a designated bird sanctuary, allowing you to spot hundreds of bird species during your exploration. Head to the Audubon Bird Sanctuary for the best birdwatching on the island. Then, discover even more wildlife that calls the region home at the Alabama Aquarium. Learn about Alabama’s coastal habitats and see wildlife in the aquarium, including stingrays and fish.

5. Enjoy Fresh Seafood and Refreshing Cocktails

After a day of exploring Dauphin Island, kick back and relax at one of our local restaurants. Enjoy fresh locally-caught seafood at Dockside or pick up fresh seafood to make on your own from Skinner’s Seafood. Alternatively, visit local favorites such as Pirates Bar & Grill or Dority’s to enjoy a night filled with delicious food, refreshing drinks, and live local entertainment.

Reserve your Dauphin Island summer vacation with Boardwalk Realty today. Check out our inventory of vacation rentals on Dauphin Island and find the perfect base camp for your trip.

Sep 22 2025

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!

Jan 22 2025

Take a break from the hustle of daily life and escape to Dauphin Island for a memorable family vacation on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Our quiet island is a fantastic place to spend quality time together while soaking up the atmosphere of our crowd-free beaches. Choose Boardwalk Realty as your lodging partner and stay in one of our Dauphin Island vacation rentals. Whether you are traveling with your immediate family or extended family, we have lodging for groups of all sizes. To help make your trip truly unforgettable, we’ve created a helpful guide with tips and vacation ideas to help you plan the perfect family getaway on Dauphin Island.

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!