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Dauphin Island Rentals

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 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!

If you are planning a trip to Dauphin Island this spring, you are in for a treat. Every season, Dauphin Island hosts several exciting events to keep everyone in your family entertained during your visit. From kite flying competitions to arts and crafts festivals, there is something for everyone’s interests. Make the most of your spring vacation and rent a private vacation rental with Boardwalk Realty, offering the perfect lodging for groups of all sizes. Read on to discover all the spring events happening on Dauphin Island:

Kite Fest, March 8, 2025

Head to East End Beach for the annual Kite Festival and have a fun-filled day with your family. Be a spectator, or bring your own kite for a chance to win awards and prizes for the highest flying, biggest, most unique, or best homemade kite. 

Dauphin Island Native American Experience, March 22, 2025

This spring, Historic Fort Gaines will host a Native American Experience event with tribal members from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and the Seminole Tribe. Discover Indigenous culture and history through interactive demonstrations, dancing, canoe carving, beadwork, and cultural displays. 

Bird Banding, April 5-9, 2025

Dauphin Island is classified as a Globally Important Bird Area, and banders come to the island every spring to band and release birds. Learn about the process from volunteers and see birds up close.

Pops Concert, April 5, 2025

Visit the Dauphin Island Water Tower and attend a free concert hosted by the Mobile Symphonic Pops Band. 

Motorcycle Show, April 13, 2025

Whether you are a motorcycle rider, enthusiast, or a family looking for a fun afternoon on the island, the annual Motorcycle Show is a great way to spend the day. Expect vintage motorcycles, live music, and local food trucks. 

Plein Air, April 24-27, 2025

Witness talented artists paint the beautiful natural landscapes of Dauphin Island during the annual Plein Air event. Stroll through the island and watch incredible works of art come to life in front of your eyes. During the weekend, you can also attend the St. Francis Arts & Crafts Festival and shop for art from over 50 local artists. 

Thunder on the Bay, April 26-27, 2025

Celebrate local history during the Thunder on the Bay event at Fort Gaines. This event observes the anniversary of the Battle of Mobile Bay and will include cannon firings, mock battles, and soldiers dressed in period uniforms. 

Reserve Your Spring Getaway on Dauphin Island

There’s always something fun happening on Dauphin Island. Reserve your spring visit with Boardwalk Realty and join us for exciting events the whole family can enjoy. See what else is happening throughout the year on our Dauphin Island events page. Browse our vacation rentals and find the perfect basecamp for your Alabama beach getaway today!

Enjoy blue skies and moon pies during our annual Dauphin Island Mardi Gras celebration! Kick off the Gulf Coast Mardi Gras season with Boardwalk Realty this January and witness several family-friendly parades roll down Bienville Boulevard. Here are the top things to know about this year’s Mardi Gras celebration:

Dauphin Island Mardi Gras 2024 Events

Alabama Mardi Gras Parade Insiders Tips

Dauphin Island parade goers should arrive early to secure a parking spot along the parade route that follows Bienville Boulevard from the east end of Bienville to just past the 1500 block of Bienville on the Island’s west end.  Here are a few Town of Dauphin Island parade etiquette rules to remember for 2024:  

  • You’re not supposed to reserve a parking space before sunrise on the day of the event, and you can’t mark off your turf with rope or tape boundaries. 
  • Once you’ve claimed space with parked vehicles, lawn chairs, or canopies, at least one member of the party must remain on the scene.
  • Sites should be fully cleaned up immediately after the parade.

There will be many parade attendees from the mainland coming to join the fun. We will have vendors on the Island with fun keepsakes, beads, and silly hats for all ages! The fun begins long before the parade arrives, with families of all ages enjoying time together socializing in our warm and sunny community atmosphere with tailgating and cookouts! 

Take time to enjoy the day with local parade goers and maybe even bring a blanket, pack a picnic, and settle down for a nice lunch while you wait for the parade to begin. There will be lots of excitement and frivolity, along with fantastic Mardi Gras beads and throws to catch as you enjoy a great view of the Dauphin Island parades that kick off the Gulf Coast Mardi Gras season!

Alabama Gulf Coast Mardi Gras Season

After the last moon pie is thrown on Dauphin Island, the Mardi Gras season continues in nearby Mobile, AL, with parades rolling downtown through the final day of Mardi Gras, known as “Fat Tuesday,” on February 13, 2024. Check out Mobile Mask for information on the 2024 schedule, parade routes, and events. 

Stay on the Parade Route with Boardwalk Realty

Boardwalk Realty offers several Dauphin Island vacation rentals, and it’s not too late to join the fun! Bout Time, Shore to Please, Toes in the Sand, Sunset Key, and The Beach House have available dates for the Mardi Gras season – check them out today and join us for Dauphin Island Mardi Gras!

DAUPHIN ISLAND WEATHER
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