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Dauphin Island Vacation Homes

Choosing where you stay on vacation matters. Dauphin Island is surrounded by water on every side: the Gulf of Mexico to the south, the Mississippi Sound along the north shore, and Mobile Bay at the eastern tip. That means your view and your vacation experience look different depending on where you stay on the island. At Boardwalk Realty, we are here to help you find the perfect location for your Dauphin Island vacation home. Choose a Gulf front home for direct access to the sand, or a bay front rental for the calm waters of the Sound or Bay. Whatever your style, Boardwalk Realty has you covered with over 50 vacation rentals across the island. 

Dauphin Island Vacation Rentals on the Gulf

We offer two property types on the Gulf of Mexico: Gulf Front and Gulf View. Both are great picks for travelers looking for a classic beach vacation on the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Our Gulf Front homes sit directly on the Gulf of Mexico, putting you just steps from the wide, sugar-white sand. Our Gulf View homes offer views of the Gulf of Mexico but are not located directly on the sand. These homes are still close enough to walk to the sand and enjoy the views from your private balcony, deck, or porch. 

Things to do on the Gulf side of Dauphin Island:

  • Watch the sunrise over the water
  • Stroll the beach hunting for seashells
  • Fish right from the shoreline
  • Take a swim in the warm Gulf waters
  • Watch for dolphins playing in the surf

Dauphin Island Bay Rentals

We also offer two property types on the bay side of the island: Bay Front and Bay View. These rentals sit along the island’s calmer waters, the Mississippi Sound, Mobile Bay, and British Bay, and are best for guests who want a quieter setting for boating and watersports.

Our Bay Front rentals line the shoreline itself. Some come with a private sandy beach, and others feature a boat dock so you can swim, fish, or launch a boat right from your rental. Our bay view homes overlook the bays on the island but are not located directly next to them. 

Many of these bay view rentals also offer Gulf views, letting you experience the best of both waterways during your visit.

Things to do on the bay side of Dauphin Island:

  • Watch the sunset over the water
  • Go kayaking in the calm bay waters
  • Fish right from your private dock
  • Explore the waterways by boat
  • Watch for birds and other local wildlife

Reserve Your Dauphin Island Vacation Home

Whichever side of the island you choose, Boardwalk Realty has something for everyone. Traveling with a dog, a cat, or another furry companion? Take a look at our pet-friendly rentals on Dauphin Island. Want to cool off without leaving the yard? Several of our homes come with a private pool. Let us know what your group needs, and we will help you find the Dauphin Island vacation home that fits your needs!

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.

Related Reading: Fun Activities for Beach Lovers on Dauphin Island

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.

Related Reading: Explore Dauphin Island by Water: Boat Tours, Sightseeing, & Fishing

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.

One of the best perks of staying in a Boardwalk Realty vacation rental is having a full-sized kitchen at your fingertips. Each rental is thoughtfully equipped with everything you need to cook and dine together, including standard appliances, a microwave, dishwasher, coffee maker, essential cookware, dishes, and glassware. Stock up at one of the grocery stores near Dauphin Island, Alabama, or skip the errand and have groceries delivered right to your door. Then gather in the kitchen, prepare a delicious meal, and enjoy it alfresco on your private deck.

Grocery Delivery Services near Dauphin Island

Dauphin Island Hospitality

Skip the grocery store and let someone else do the shopping for you. Contact the team at Dauphin Island Hospitality and reserve grocery store delivery for your stay. When you arrive, your fridge will already be stocked with everything you need to prepare delicious meals!

Please email them at [email protected] to reserve your spot.

Greer’s Beachside to Go

Address: 10835 B, 10835 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Theodore, AL 36582

Distance from Dauphin Island: 15 miles 

Order grocery delivery from Greer’s Beachside to Go across the bridge in the city of Theodore. Pick your groceries online, select a time that works best for you, and have your items delivered to your vacation rental. 

Closest Grocery Stores from Your Dauphin Island Vacation Home

JG Ship & Shore in Dauphin Island

Address: 401 Lemoyne Dr, Dauphin Island, AL

If you just need to pick up a few essential items, stop in at Dauphin Island’s local supply store: JG Ship & Shore. They offer a little of everything, including a grocery section with basic staples, ice cream, frozen foods, and a liquor store. There is also a hardware area with tools, charcoal, and fishing equipment. 

Dollar General, Coden

Address: 3231 AL-188, Coden, AL 

Distance from Dauphin Island: 8 miles

Cross the bridge and find a selection of household items and groceries at the Dollar General in Coden. 

Greer’s Old Bay Market, Fowl River

Address: 10835 B, 10835 Dauphin Island Pkwy, Theodore, AL 36582

Distance from Dauphin Island: 15 miles 

Check out this popular local mid-size full market with a great grocery selection, an Ace Hardware store, and smaller crowds than Walmart.  

Walmart, Mobile

Address: 5254 Rangeline Service Rd, Mobile, AL

Distance from Dauphin Island: 22 miles

For large grocery orders, we recommend stopping at this Super Walmart on the way to the Island. Just exit I-10 at exit 17B, Tillman’s Corner, AL. This Walmart is roughly a 30-minute drive from Dauphin Island.  

Reserve Your Dauphin Island, Alabama, Vacation Home

Pick up ingredients at the grocery stores in Dauphin Island, Alabama, and make meals together in your vacation rental. And if you are looking for a place to get fresh seafood, we recommend stopping at Skinner’s Seafood Market. Not only is cooking in your rental a great way to save money, but it’s also a great bonding experience for your family. Browse our Dauphin Island vacation rentals and book with us today!

Surrounded by the abundant waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Bay, Dauphin Island offers a prime location to enjoy fresh seafood. Feast on fresh shrimp, oysters, fish, and crab caught directly from our local waters at Dauphin Island seafood restaurants and markets. Or reel in your own catch on a fishing charter and prepare your filets in your Boardwalk Realty vacation rental. Whether you are craving fried fish, po-boys, or shrimp n grits, you can find it all on Dauphin Island!

Dauphin Island Seafood Restaurants

Let someone else do the cooking for you and enjoy fresh seafood at Dauphin Island’s local restaurants:

Dockside Seafood Restaurant

Dockside Seafood Restaurant is more than just a place to eat; it’s a place that cares about the future of the Gulf Coast and supports local fishermen. Stop in for fresh and sustainably caught seafood, like shrimp po-boys and fish tacos. 

Islanders Restaurant & Bar

Head to Islanders Restaurant & Bar for a delicious menu of New American cuisine, Southern specialties, and seafood delights. Dine on the outdoor patio and soak up the sunshine while enjoying crawfish pasta, po-boys, shrimp n grits, or seafood tacos. 

Miguels Beach’n Baja

Visit Miguel’s Beach’n Baja for fresh Baja-flavored tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, and salsa. Choose protein options like mahi mahi or shrimp. Pick up take-out and bring it back to enjoy in your vacation rental or by the beach. 

Dauphin Island Seafood Markets

For the freshest seafood on the island, head to Skinner’s Seafood, a locally owned and operated seafood market. All their seafood is fresh and wild-caught from the Gulf by local fishermen. Order food from their take-out menu, and they will steam your choice of seafood, seasonings, and sides. Or buy fish wholesale and bring it back to make your own seafood feast in your vacation rental. 

Dauphin Island Fishing Charters

Catch your own meal on a Dauphin Island fishing charter. Head out into the water with a local captain and reel in trout, redfish, flounder, sheepshead, and tripletail. Some fishing charters will even clean your fish for you at the end of the trip. Bring the day’s catches back to your Boardwalk Realty vacation rental and cook a meal together!

Reserve Dauphin Island Vacation Rentals for Your Alabama Getaway

Book accommodations for your Dauphin Island getaway with Boardwalk Realty. Browse our selection of over 50 vacation rentals on Dauphin Island and find the perfect home away from home. Enjoy all the comforts of home, including spacious living areas, fully equipped kitchens, laundry facilities, and off-street parking. Plus, enjoy easy access to Dauphin Island’s beautiful beaches just steps from your rental home. Book with us today and escape to the Alabama Gulf Coast!

Celebrate Mardi Gras this year in the place that started it all: Mobile, Alabama. Every year, Mobile and towns throughout the Alabama Gulf Coast celebrate Mardi Gras with majestic parades, colorful floats, and magical masquerade balls. Start the celebrations on Dauphin Island and stay in a Boardwalk Realty vacation rental close to the parade route. Put on your purple, green, and gold clothing and join us for Mardi Gras on Dauphin Island!

Dauphin Island 2026 Mardi Gras Events

Krewe de la Dauphine

When: January 17, 2026, at 1:00 pm

Where: Bienville Boulevard. Starts at Dauphin Island Sea Lab and ends at Dauphin Island Elementary School.

Kick off the Mardi Gras season on Dauphin Island and watch the parade put on by the Krewe de la Dauphine. Find a spot along Bienville Boulevard and watch 60 festive floats, dance troops, and musicians roll down the streets during this festive celebration. This year’s theme is KDLD Takes the Win, and floats will express competitive sports, games, and hobbies. 

Dauphin Island People’s Parade

When: January 24, 2026, at 1:00pm

Location: Bienville Boulevard. Starts at Dauphin Island campground and ends at the Holiday Isle condos. 

The Dauphin Island People’s Parade is the largest parade on the island, featuring festive floats, boats, trucks, and horses. Watch from the sidelines or submit an application and be part of the parade. 

Salty Paws Pet Parade

When: January 31, 2026, at 10:00 am

Location: Starts at the water tower, north on LeMoyne, right on Chaumont, right on Key, right on Bienville, and ends back at the water tower. 

The Salty Paws Pet Parade is the most adorable Mardi Gras parade on Dauphin Island. Watch costumed pets and their owners walk down the streets while supporting the Animal Rescue Foundation. Stick around after the parade to see which pup wins prizes. 

Massacre Island Secret Society

When: February 1, 2026, at 6:30 pm

Location: Starts at the Shell Mounds, travels Cadillac Ave to Naravez, then along Levert and DeSoto streets before making the final turn onto LaVente street to end at Dority’s.

The Massacre Island Secret Society hosts the only nighttime parade on Dauphin Island. Witness a flame-lit Street Tableau through the old village district while learning about the island’s fascinating past. 

Dauphin Island Parade Information and Tips

  • Do not reserve a parking space before sunrise on the day of the event. 
  • Do not mark off your turf with rope or tape boundaries. 
  • At least one member of your party must stay with your claimed space. 
  • Clean up your site immediately after the parade.

Mobile Mardi Gras Events

Dauphin Island is just one stop during Mobile’s Mardi Gras celebration. Find even more events during carnival season in Mobile, Orange Beach, and Gulf Shores. From exquisite balls to family-friendly parades, there is something for everyone.

Check out the 2026 schedule and don’t miss out on popular events like Joe Cain Day or the Order of Inca parade!

Celebrate Mardi Gras in Dauphin Island, Alabama 

Book your getaway with Boardwalk Realty and join us for Alabama’s Mardi Gras season on Dauphin Island. Stay close to the parade routes with our Dauphin Island vacation rentals and enjoy the perfect home away from home during the celebration!

DAUPHIN ISLAND WEATHER
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