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Beach Rentals Dauphin Island

Dauphin Island is a hidden gem on the Alabama Gulf Coast, where you can experience a blend of nature, history, beaches, and breathtaking sunsets. Plan your next vacation with Boardwalk Realty and discover the natural beauty of Dauphin Island at one of our local parks. Whether you are looking for a place to bring a picnic or watch local wildlife, our parks offer the perfect addition to your vacation itinerary. 

Indian Shell Mound Park

Indian Shell Mound Park is an 11-acre park on the northern end of the island that offers a blend of cultural history, walking trails, and bird watching. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in the 1970s, this park is the site of two prehistoric shell mounds left by Indigenous inhabitants thousands of years ago.

During your visit, you can learn more about this historic site through interpretive signs, walk trails canopied by oak trees, and watch birds fly by. 

Audubon Bird Sanctuary

The Audubon Bird Sanctuary is the largest park on Dauphin Island, covering 137 acres with over three miles of walking trails. Walk through the diverse ecosystems of this sanctuary, and explore maritime forests, marshes, dunes, swamps, and beaches. 

This is one of the most popular spots for bird watching, but you may also encounter butterflies, fish, and alligators during your exploration. Bring your lunch and have a picnic amidst nature!

Cadillac Square

Cadillac Square is a small park where you can relax and enjoy a picnic under beautiful oak and pine trees while watching birds. Amenities include picnic tables and public restrooms. You can find this park on the South side of Bienville Boulevard.

Salt Creek Park

If you are visiting Dauphin Island with kids and looking for a park with a playground, Salt Creek Park is the perfect place. In addition to the playground, you will find a small skate park, basketball courts, and picnic tables. 

Book Dauphin Island Vacation Rentals

Find even more activities for your Dauphin Island vacation on our Boardwalk Realty blog and events page. Spend quality time with your family in a Dauphin Island vacation rental and access attractions like beaches, parks, and wildlife watching nearby. Book with us today and your perfect home away from home on Dauphin Island!

One of the best ways to experience the beauty of Dauphin Island is from the water. Rent a boat and explore the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi Sound, and Mobile Bay on your own. Or enlist the help of a local guide and sign up for a Dauphin Island boat tour. Cruise around the water at sunset, watch wildlife, and take in the sights of top attractions like Historic Fort Gaines. Whether you are visiting with your family, friends, or partner, these boat tours offer the perfect addition to your vacation on Dauphin Island with Boardwalk Realty:

Sunset Cruise

Dauphin Island is known for its breathtaking sunsets. That’s why we have been designated as the Sunset Capital of Alabama. Watch the sun dip below the horizon on a scenic sunset cruise with one of these local outfitters:

  • Sunset Cruise at Dauphin Island Marina: Experience a public sunset cruise along the coast that combines incredible sunset views with sightseeing and wildlife watching. The tour also includes a show and tell of marine life caught in the boat’s shrimp net. 
  • Finatic Fishing Charters Sunset Cruise: Sign up for a private sunset cruise and customize the tour based on your interests. 

Sightseeing Tours

With only 14 miles of coastline, Dauphin Island is easy to explore by water. Sign up for a sightseeing tour and cruise past attractions like Indian Shell Mounds, Historic Fort Gaines, and Sand Island Lighthouse. 

Educational Excursions

Learn about the research done by the team at the Alabama Aquarium with an Educational Excursion. Become a marine scientist for the day and head out to the salt marshes, beaches, dunes, and maritime forests studied by local researchers. These excursions are only offered periodically throughout the year, so make sure to check their availability during your visit. 

Stay at Waterfront Vacation Rentals on Dauphin Island

Beyond boat tours, Dauphin Island also offers several fantastic fishing charters for anglers interested in an epic day on the water. Or reserve a Dauphin Island boat rental and enjoy sightseeing, wildlife watching, and fishing at your own pace. Stay on the waterfront with a Boardwalk Realty vacation rental on the Bay Front or Gulf Front. Soak in views of the water from your private deck, walk to the beach, and relax with your loved ones in your spacious vacation rental!

One of the best ways to experience Dauphin Island is from the water. Surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi Sound, and Mobile Bay, this barrier island is a kayaker’s dream, offering calm waters, abundant wildlife, and scenic shorelines at every turn. And when it comes to staying close to all the action, Boardwalk Realty offers the perfect vacation rentals to call home after a day on the water. Plan your Dauphin Island, Alabama, kayaking adventure today!

Kayak Rentals on Dauphin Island

Where to Kayak on Dauphin Island

Take your kayak rental out on the waterways of Dauphin Island for a day of sightseeing, fishing, and wildlife viewing:

Aloe Bay

Launch your kayak into the calm waters of Aloe Bay for a scenic paddling adventure. This is a great starting point for beginners because of its sandy bottom and gradual entry. From the bay, you can paddle to the Mississippi Sound and various other estuaries. 

Bayou Heron Park

Head to Bayou Heron Park at 1608 Cadillac Ave. and launch your kayak into the Bayou Sound. Paddle around the island’s coastline, looking for wildlife and taking in the sights.

More Water Activities on Dauphin Island

Looking for more fun ways to spend time on the water? Visit Dauphin Island Marina and sign up for a guided sunset cruise, fishing charter, or sightseeing tour. And if you want to explore on your own, they also offer pontoon rentals. 

Reserve Dauphin Island Vacation Rentals on the Waterfront

Experience everything Dauphin Island, Alabama, has to offer, from kayaking to boat tours and wildlife watching. Stay close to the water with our vacation rentals on the Gulf Front and Bay Front areas of the island. Walk to the water from your vacation home and spend time at the beach, or launch your kayak from the shoreline. Discover fun for the whole family on the Alabama Gulf Coast!

Located on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, Dauphin Island is the perfect place to plan your next family vacation, especially if your family includes a beloved pet. Stay in a dog-friendly Dauphin Island vacation rental with Boardwalk Realty and explore everything the island has to offer with your dog by your side. Visit the brand new Dauphin Island dog park, take a nature walk at the Audubon Bird Sanctuary, relax on the beach, or hang out in your vacation home together. No matter how you want to spend your vacation, you and your pet are sure to have fun on Dauphin Island!

Dauphin Island Dog Ordinance

While you and your dog are exploring the island, we ask that you follow the Town of Dauphin Island Dog Ordinance:

  • Dogs must be on a leash outdoors, including on the beach, whenever they are not in a secure, enclosed area. 
  • Dog owners are responsible for collecting and disposing of their pet’s waste. 
  • No dogs are allowed past the western end of Bienville Blvd. This area is a nature preserve with protected bird habitats.  
  • Dogs are prohibited in public areas where signs prohibiting dogs are posted, with the exception of service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Dauphin Island Dog-Friendly Activities

Dog park on Dauphin Island

Visit the Dog Park

Dauphin Island is excited to offer a new dog park for pet owners visiting the island, found at 1301 Bienville Blvd. between the skate park and basketball court. This is a great place on the island for your dog to run around off-leash and burn some energy.

Explore the Island

Many of Dauphin Island’s most popular attractions are dog-friendly! Explore Historic Fort Gaines and learn about the history of this Civil War site while walking your dog. If you are looking for a place to experience nature with your pooch, the Audubon Bird Sanctuary offers three miles of scenic dog-friendly trails. Walk along the sandy shoreline of Dauphin Island at East Beach or Middle Beach and enjoy the sunshine and surf together. However, please note that dogs are not permitted on West End Beach. 

Dine at Dog-Friendly Restaurants

You can easily prepare meals in your Boardwalk Realty vacation rental, but if you want to dine out, there are a couple of dog-friendly restaurants in town. Head to Islander’s Restaurant and enjoy Southern specialties on the pet-friendly patio. Or visit The Carriage and enjoy a glass of wine on the deck while your dog enjoys their pup cup. 

Stay in a Dog-Friendly Vacation Rental on Dauphin Island

Book your getaway with Boardwalk Realty and stay in one of our pet-friendly rentals on Dauphin Island. When booking your rental, you are required to register your pet by completing the pet section of your guest agreement. All rentals have a non-refundable per-pet fee that varies by property. Please review the listing description to learn more about the pricing and limitations of your desired property. You are also responsible for following the Town of Dauphin Island Dog Ordinance Rules, maintaining control of your pet, and for any property damage caused by them. 

Reserve your pet-friendly home with us today, and please contact us at 1-877-861-3992 if you have any questions about bringing your dog to Dauphin Island!

Looking for a place to spend the summer on Alabama’s Gulf Coast? Head to Dauphin Island and enjoy the small-town charm, scenic beaches, rich history, and breathtaking sunsets we are famous for. Boardwalk Realty is here to help you plan your vacation and determine what to do on Dauphin Island during your visit. So, whether you are looking to lounge at the beach or attend one of the island’s annual events, we offer the perfect properties to experience everything Dauphin Island has to offer. 

Beach Days

There’s nothing like spending your summer vacation at the beach. Soak up the sunshine at Dauphin Island’s beaches with your family and enjoy swimming, beachcombing, kite flying, wildlife watching, building sand castles, and sunset strolls. 

Water Activities

One of the best ways to experience summer on our island is from the water. Head to Dauphin Island Marina, rent a pontoon, and cruise around the water while fishing and taking in the sights. Or let someone else take you around with a sunset tour from the marina. 

Sign up for a fishing charter and let a local guide take you to the best fishing spots around Dauphin Island. With licenses, lures, baits, and rods included, you will have everything you need for a fun and exciting day on the water. 

Summer Events

Every summer, Dauphin Island offers special events for the whole family. Head to East Beach for Free Family Move Nights every Thursday and Friday from the end of May to the beginning of August. Attend the monthly Sunset Concerts at Historic Fort Gaines and listen to live music.

July also brings the largest fishing tournament in the world to Dauphin Island: the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo. Experience a weekend of fishing competitions and live music with your family. 

Check Out the Island’s Top Attractions

  • Visit the Alabama Aquarium and learn about the marine life of Mobile Bay while exploring the visual and interactive exhibits. 
  • Walk through the nature trails of Audubon Bird Sanctuary and see hundreds of bird species together. 
  • Learn about the rich history of the island at Historic Fort Gaines
  • Pirate’s Bar & Grill is the perfect place to hang out in the summertime. Grab dinner in the restaurant and head outside to enjoy the beach, listen to live music, or swim in the pool. 

Stay in a Dauphin Island Vacation Rental this Summer

Book your Alabama summer vacation on Dauphin Island and discover the perfect place for family fun on the Gulf Coast with Boardwalk Realty. We offer Dauphin Island vacation rentals throughout the island to accommodate groups of all sizes. Stay close to the beach and enjoy amenities like outdoor decks, fully-equipped kitchens, spacious bedrooms, and charcoal grills. Reserve your vacation home online or contact us at 1-877-861-3992 to speak with our team directly!

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