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Dauphin Island Vacation

Are you looking for romantic getaways in Alabama off the beaten path? Look no further than Dauphin Island, a small Gulf Coast island known for its white sand beaches, beautiful sunsets, and abundant wildlife. Choose Boardwalk Realty to host your getaway and find the perfect vacation rental to host you and your special someone! 

Spend Time at Dauphin Island Beaches

No romantic getaway in Alabama is complete without spending time at our Dauphin Island beaches! Spend your days swimming, suntanning, and strolling along the beach at sunset. If you want to explore our Gulf Coast waters, we recommend renting watersport equipment with SaltyDog Watersport Rentals.

Embark on a Romantic Sunset Cruise

Embark on a romantic sunset cruise at Dauphin Island Marina for a fantastic evening on the water. Watch a relaxing sunset, meet some marine life at the built-in touch tank aquarium, and keep an eye out for dolphins. If you want a private sunset tour, we recommend signing up for a trip with Finatics Fishing Charters

Learn About Marine Life and Birds

Dauphin Island is a paradise for wildlife lovers. Visit the Alabama Aquarium and learn about the coastal habitats of Alabama, featuring a living marsh boardwalk, visual exhibits, and interactive experiences. Then head to the Audobon Bird Sanctuary and enjoy fantastic birdwatching on Dauphin Island. 

Take the Mobile Bay Ferry for More Adventures

Dauphin Island offers a convenient gateway to even more Alabama adventures on the Mobile Bay Ferry. The ferry takes you from Fort Gaines to Fort Morgan at Mobile Point, offering the fastest access across Mobile Bay. Spend a day exploring the towns of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. 

Enjoy Dinner with Beautiful Sunset Views

Enjoy dinner with a sunset view at Islander’s Restaurant & Bar, Pirate’s Bar & Grill, or watch the sun paint the sky while enjoying a glass of wine at The Carriage. Or pick up a delicious meal at Dinner’s Ready, bring it back to your vacation rental, and enjoy the sunset from your own private deck.

Book Your Romantic Getaway in Alabama Today

Book your Alabama romantic getaway on Dauphin Island with Boardwalk Realty today! Our one-bedroom DI Time property is ideal for couples visiting the island, offering everything you need for your stay. Or gather a group and stay in one of our larger Dauphin Island vacation rentals that can accommodate up to 20 guests. 

Please contact us with any questions about booking your Dauphin Island getaway with Boardwalk Realty!

Although most of your time on Dauphin Island will be spent at the beach, there are plenty of other things to do during your vacation. Explore the Dauphin Island shopping scene and find the perfect souvenir for your Alabama getaway with Boardwalk Realty. Whether you are looking for Dauphin Island merch, locally made gifts, or original art, there is something for everyone!

Beach Planet

Visit Beach Planet for all your beach and souvenir needs! Their souvenir collection includes t-shirts, sweatshirts, jewelry, hats, and much more.

Dauphin Island Heritage & Arts Gallery

Shop for local art at the Dauphin Island Art Gallery, including painting, photography, pottery, printmaking, and fine jewelry. The gallery represents more than 40 local artists, along with books by local authors and handmade gift items. 

Dauphin Island Sea Lab Gift Shop

After learning about the key habitats of coastal Alabama at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, visit the gift shop! Shop from various gifts, including t-shirts, jerseys, jewelry, reusable drinkware, backpacks, bags, patches, stickers, and plush animals. 

The Happy Octopus

Stop at The Happy Octopus, a locally owned beach boutique with something for everyone! Find apparel, accessories, and shoes for your unique style here. 

The Hippie Fish

The Hippie Fish is a new boutique on Dauphin Island, offering trendy clothing so you can look your best on vacation. They also feature jewelry, trinket dishes, ornaments, and paintings made by local artists. 

The Sandbox

The Sandbox has been providing Dauphin Island souvenirs for nearly 50 years! Stop in and bring a piece of Dauphin Island home with their decor and apparel. 

The Silver Pearl

The Silver Pearl is an independently owned gift shop offering home decor, apparel, and local art. Their t-shirts feature artwork designed by the owner and operator, along with cutting boards, notecards, matted prints, and more!

Plan Your Dauphin Island Getaway Today

Explore the Dauphin Island shopping scene and find the perfect souvenir for your Alabama getaway. Stay with Boardwalk Realty and choose from our Dauphin Island vacation rentals ranging from one to six bedrooms. Save money with our vacation deals and book your Dauphin Island vacation today!

Along the Gulf Coast of Alabama, you will find beautiful Dauphin Island, a popular destination for both vacationers and migratory birds alike. As a Globally Important Bird Area, Dauphin Island is among the top places in the country to witness fall and spring migrations! Boardwalk Realty invites birders to visit our coastal paradise and discover the diverse habitats that entice hundreds of species to the Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuary. Pack your binoculars, grab your birding checklist, and start your birdwatching adventure today!

When to Go Birdwatching on Dauphin Island

Birdwatching can be enjoyed on Dauphin Island year-round, but the best time to visit is during the spring and fall migrations. 

The fall migration usually runs from mid-September through October and is a great time to see shorebirds. But, if you want to make the most of your birdwatching adventure, we recommend visiting in the spring, when neotropical birds fly across the Gulf of Mexico and seek shelter on Dauphin Island. This season lasts March-May and allows visitors to see more than 300 bird species during one visit. 

Take a look at this field checklist of birds of Dauphin Island before your visit!

Audobon Bird Sanctuary

The Audobon Bird Sanctuary is a 164-acre nature sanctuary and the best birding spot on Dauphin Island! The sanctuary is home to diverse ecosystems, including maritime forests, marshes, dunes, lakes, swamps, and beaches. Stroll through these ecosystems on the 1,000-foot-long boardwalk and keep an eye out for the neotropical migrants on Galliard Lake. Please read this brochure about the trail systems and bird sighting checklist before you visit the Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuary. 

More Birdwatching Spots in Dauphin Island

Dauphin Island is also part of the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail and offers several more fantastic birdwatching spots on the Bayou La Batre Loop

Plan Your Dauphin Island Birdwatching Getaway Today

Dauphin Island, Alabama, stands as a true haven for birdwatching enthusiasts and nature lovers! Plan your getaway and spend time at the Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuary, checking off birds from the checklist. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or a newcomer to the world of birdwatching, Boardwalk Realty has the perfect vacation rentals for your getaway!

There are plenty of places to see fall foliage in Alabama, but for visitors looking to extend their summer, we invite you to visit Dauphin Island! Fall on Dauphin Island is the opportune time to enjoy crowd-free beaches, spot hundreds of migratory birds, embark on fishing charters and attend festive events. Choose Boardwalk Realty as your lodging partner and experience Alabama in the fall with us today!

Fall Activities on Dauphin Island

The mild fall weather on Dauphin Island offers the perfect temperature for outdoor activities, such as:

  • Enjoy an afternoon at our Dauphin Island beaches! Depending on the weather, you can enjoy swimming, beach strolling, shelling, watersports, and more!
  • Fall is one of the best times to embark on a Dauphin Island fishing charter! Hit the waters with a local guide and target species like Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi, King Mackerel, Grouper, Amberjack, and more!
  • Witness the fall bird migration on Dauphin Island at the Audubon Bird Sanctuary! Explore the 130-acre sanctuary through maritime forests, marshes, and dunes while keeping an eye out for over 400 bird species!

Fall Events near Dauphin Island

Make your fall getaway on Dauphin Island extra memorable by planning it around one of the fall festivals in the area. If you are interested in attending any of the events on Pleasure Island, we recommend hopping on the Mobile Bay Ferry

  • Visit Fort Gaines, a crucial site for the South during the Civil War, for the annual Fall Festival. Enjoy a day full of food, games, candy, music, pumpkin patch, and fun contests!
  • Historic Fort Gaines also hosts a Renaissance Festival every October for visitors who want to experience a day of life in the Middle Ages. 
  • Make the 20-minute drive to Bellingrath Gardens & Home for their annual Boo at Bellingrath! This family-friendly event will include trick-or-treating, scary stories, live music, and food trucks.
  • Visit Fort Morgan for unique fall events like haunted history tours, cemetery walking tours, and living history tours.

Book Your Alabama Fall Getaway on Dauphin Island

Experience Alabama in the fall with Boardwalk Realty and escape the everyday! Browse our collection of over 40 vacation rentals on Dauphin Island and find the perfect property for your group. Whether you are looking for gulf-front, bay-front, or pet-friendly properties, we have you covered. Please contact us at 1-8777-861-3992 and let our rental experts help you create Dauphin Island memories this fall!

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