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Dauphin Island Rentals Pet Friendly

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!

At Boardwalk Realty, we know no vacation is complete without your pet by your side. That’s why we offer nearly 40 pet-friendly Dauphin Island rentals so everyone (even your four-legged friend) can enjoy our beach paradise. Save money on boarding your pet and spend time playing at the beach, exploring our nature trails, and dining at outdoor patios together. So, pack your leash and prepare for some tail-wagging fun on Dauphin Island!

Dauphin Island Pet-Friendly Vacation Rentals

Browse our pet-friendly vacation rentals on Dauphin Island and find the perfect property for your getaway. Please read through our pet policy rules below before booking with us:

  • Guest must notify us of pets at the time of booking and complete the Dog Registration form before arrival.
  • A non-refundable pet fee is required per dog. Amounts vary by property.
  • Properties may have additional limitations on dog size, breeds allowed, and the total number of dogs permitted.
  • No pets are allowed on any property that is not advertised as pet-friendly.
  • Dogs must be up to date on vaccinations and flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives.
  • Dogs are not allowed on property furnishings.

Dauphin Island’s Good Neighbor Pet Policy

Pet owners are required to abide by the town of Dauphin Island’s Good Neighbor Pet Policy during their visit. 

  • Follow the island-wide leash law, which requires your dog to be properly restrained at all times.
  • Pets are not allowed on West End Beach since this section of the island serves as a critical bird nesting habitat. 
  • Pet owners must pick up after their pets and properly dispose of waste.

Things to Do with Your Dog on Dauphin Island

  • Take your dog to East Beach or Middle Beach for a day of fun in the sun. Stroll up and down our sandy shores together.
  • Explore three miles of dog-friendly trails at Audubon Bird Sanctuary, winding past maritime forests, marshes, dunes, and swamps. 
  • Visit Fort Gaines and walk through historic sites with your pooch. Even the museum is dog-friendly!
  • Refuel from a day of adventures at Islanders Restaurant and sit out on the dog-friendly patio. 

Book your pet-friendly Dauphin Island rentals with Boardwalk Realty and escape to the beach this summer. If you have any questions about our pet policy, don’t hesitate to call us at  1-877-861-3992.

Getting across Mobile Bay from Dauphin Island is a breeze via the Mobile Bay Ferry. Board the Dauphin Island ferry near your Boardwalk Realty vacation rental and take a quick trip across the bay to Fort Morgan. Skip the interstate and take a scenic 45-minute trip along the Gulf Coast, viewing birds, sea life, and ships along the way. Read on to learn more about the ferry schedule, pricing, and things to do once you arrive!

Schedule for the Dauphin Island Ferry

The Dauphin Island ferry connects Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island to Fort Morgan at Mobile Point, operating seven days a week. Ferry schedules change throughout the year due to weather or maintenance issues. Two ferries bring passengers across Mobile Bay: the Fort Morgan and the Marissa Mae Nicole. One ferry operates year-round, and both operate during the busier summer months. We recommend heading to the loading docks 30 minutes to one hour before departure:

  • Depart from the Dauphin Island Loading Dock on 112 Bienville Blvd,
  • Return from the Fort Morgan Loading Dock at 110 AL-180 in Gulf Shores 

Please call 251-861-3000 or check Facebook for updated information on ferry schedules. 

Ferry Tickets and Pricing

Tickets for the Mobile Bay Ferry are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. The ticket cost is per person plus vehicle, and people are free on same-day returns as long as they have their receipts. If you have a vehicle over 21 feet long, please call ahead to ensure they can accommodate your vehicle. In general, prices are as follows:

  • Drivers, Passengers, and Pedestrians: $6
  • Children 3 and under: Free
  • Dogs: Free
  • Vehicles, Trailers, & RVS Under 22 Feet One Way: $15
  • Vehicles, Trailers, & RVS Over 22 Feet One Way: $20
  • Motorcycles One Way: $7

Read through Frequently Asked Questions for more information about taking the Dauphin Island Ferry! 

Things to Do Near Fort Morgan

Once you have crossed Mobile Bay, the ferry will drop you off at Fort Morgan, where you can start your journey learning about local history. After visiting the Fort, we recommend checking out the top attractions of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, such as:

Plan Your Alabama Getaway on Dauphin Island

The Dauphin Island Ferry offers the perfect gateway to adventures throughout Alabama’s Gulf Coast! Visit the Gulf Coast with Boardwalk Realty and browse our collection of over 40 vacation rentals on Dauphin Island. Whether you are looking for a couples retreat or a family getaway, we have something for everyone. Check out our Alabama vacation rental specials and book your stay on Dauphin Island today!

No visit to Dauphin Island is complete without visiting the island’s top attraction, the Alabama Aquarium. This aquarium, operated by the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, offers visitors an inside look into the key coastal habitats of Alabama. Plan a visit and learn about the unique ecosystems surrounding our island through the 10,000-square-foot exhibit hall and guided excursions led by local experts. Stay with Boardwalk Realty and discover everything the Alabama Aquarium has to offer during your visit:

Dauphin Island Sea Lab: Alabama Aquarium

The Dauphin Island Sea Lab, a marine research and education center, operates the Alabama Aquarium. Dauphin Island, surrounded by Mobile Bay, the Mississippi Sound, and the Gulf of Mexico, offers the perfect destination for marine research. The lab’s mission is to share information about ocean life and conservation with the public. The aquarium allows visitors to get a firsthand look at local marine life and learn about DISL’s work.

Things to Do at the Alabama Aquarium

Purchase tickets for the Alabama Aquarium and learn about Alabama’s coastal habitats through these attractions:

  • Stroll through the 10,000-square-foot exhibit hall featuring species of Mobile Bay including drum, pipefish, and the diamondback terrapin. 
  • Visit the 7,000-gallon stingray touch pool and pet a live stingray! Species include Atlantic, Blutnose, and Cownose Stingrays. 
  • Explore the Living Marsh Boardwalk.

Alabama Aquarium Education Opportunities

The DISL also offers education opportunities and excursions for an additional fee. Fill out a reservation form or contact [email protected] for more information!

  • Boardwalk Talks is a series where you can learn about the current projects DISL is working on and a broad range of science topics.
  • Salt Marsh Excursions allows you to become a marine scientist for the day by learning how to collect samples and specimens from a salt marsh. 
  • The Beach, Dune, and Maritime Forest Excursions allow visitors to explore all three ecosystems. Visitors can also get an up-close look at wildlife by using nets and digging for moles and ghost crabs.
  • R/V Alabama Discovery Excursion takes you on a two-hour boat ride around Dauphin Island with a professional DISL educator. 

Book Your Dauphin Island Vacation Rental Today!

There is plenty to do on Dauphin Island beyond the Alabama Aquarium. Enjoy miles of beachfront, exceptional fishing, outdoor exploration, and historic sites. Choose Boardwalk Realty to host your getaway and stay in one of our Dauphin Island vacation rentals. Check out our specials and save on your upcoming Dauphin Island vacation!

When you vacation on Dauphin Island, not only do you have access to exceptional beaches and activities on the island, but you are also a stone’s throw away from some of the top attractions on the Gulf Coast! Boardwalk Realty invites you to plan an Alabama day trip from your Dauphin Island vacation rental to Mobile, Gulf Shores, Biloxi, or Pensacola. Whether you are interested in local history, exploring the great outdoors, or family-friendly amusement parks, there is something for everyone to discover on the Gulf Coast:

Mobile, Alabama

Mobile, Alabama, is just a 40-minute drive north of Dauphin Island on Highway 193. Once you have arrived in Alabama’s oldest city, we recommend checking out these top attractions in Mobile:

Gulf Shores, Alabama

Getting to Gulf Shores is easy with the Mobile Bay Ferry, transporting passengers from Dauphin Island to Mobile Point. The ferry will drop you off at Fort Morgan, where you can explore this National Historic Site before heading out to explore what Gulf Shores has to offer:

Biloxi, Mississippi

Biloxi, Mississippi, is just over an hour from Dauphin Island on Interstate 10, offering the perfect Alabama day trip from your vacation rental. The city is best known for its eight first-class casino resorts, where you can enjoy endless games and entertainment!

Pensacola, Florida

Make the one-hour-and-a-half drive from Dauphin Island to Pensacola and experience the attractions of the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle:

Book Your Dauphin Island Vacation Rental Today

After your Alabama day trip, return to your Dauphin Island vacation rental with Boardwalk Realty. We offer over 40 vacation rentals ranging from two to six bedrooms to accommodate groups of all sizes. Save on your Dauphin Island getaway with our vacation specials, and plan your trip to the Gulf Coast today!

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