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Beach Rentals Dauphin Island

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!

Located along the east end of Dauphin Island, Fort Gaines has guarded Mobile Bay for more than 150 years. Pay a visit to our island’s historic site and uncover Georgia history during your stay with Boardwalk Realty. Step back in time and see the original cannons, blacksmith shop, kitchen, and tunnels. Discover the Fort’s role in the Civil War and the Battle of Mobile Bay by reading the informative signs scattered throughout the grounds. Plan your visit and read on to discover the significant sites and events at Historic Fort Gaines:

Things to See at Fort Gaines

Built in 1821, Fort Gaines features many buildings and historic artifacts that can still be seen today. Grab a self-guided brochure at the entrance and see features like:

  • Gun mounts, firing stations, ammunition magazines, range finders. All of these were used to protect Mobile Bay during the Civil War. 
  • Tunnel system that leads to the Northwest Bastion, the best-preserved bastion at the Fort with features like ventilation ports and ammunition rooms. 
  • A bakery that once housed ovens and several storerooms. You can still see a few of the ovens that were used by soldiers today. 
  • Latrine, accessible from the tunnels. It was one of the first “flushable” latrines that sent waste to sea twice daily. 
  • Blacksmith Shop, where any forging for the Fort took place. Today, you can watch local blacksmiths make crafts like horseshoes and handles. 
  • Quartermaster office where supplies, food, and uniforms were kept. Today, it is used to store historic artifacts for visitors to see.
  • Kitchen Courtyard that was used to prepare meals for the soldiers.
  • The orderly room where organizational and administrative management of the Fort took place. Today, this area is used for the restrooms.
  • The Guardhouse Building was built to hold soldiers, prisoners, and guards. Today, it is the site of the Fort Gaines Gift Shop.
  • Anchor from U.S.S. Hartford, Admiral Farragut’s flagship during the Battle of Mobile Bay. 

Annual Events at Fort Gaines

In addition to self-guided tours, Fort Gaines also offers several exciting events throughout the year. Every summer, the Fort hosts monthly Sunset Concerts, where you can listen to live music. During the spring, you can observe the Battle of Mobile Bay anniversary during Thunder on the Bay. And during the fall, you can attend the October Renaissance Festival. 

Dauphin Island Vacation Rentals

Whether you are a history buff or just looking for an educational outing for the kids, Historic Fort Gaines is a great addition to your Dauphin Island getaway. Want to learn more about local history during your stay? Take the Mobile Bay Ferry and visit Fort Morgan just across the water. At the end of the day, return to your Dauphin Island vacation rental with Boardwalk Realty and unwind!

DAUPHIN ISLAND WEATHER
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