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Rental Homes Dauphin Island

Looking for a place to spend the summer on Alabama’s Gulf Coast? Head to Dauphin Island and enjoy the small-town charm, scenic beaches, rich history, and breathtaking sunsets we are famous for. Boardwalk Realty is here to help you plan your vacation and determine what to do on Dauphin Island during your visit. So, whether you are looking to lounge at the beach or attend one of the island’s annual events, we offer the perfect properties to experience everything Dauphin Island has to offer. 

Beach Days

There’s nothing like spending your summer vacation at the beach. Soak up the sunshine at Dauphin Island’s beaches with your family and enjoy swimming, beachcombing, kite flying, wildlife watching, building sand castles, and sunset strolls. 

Water Activities

One of the best ways to experience summer on our island is from the water. Head to Dauphin Island Marina, rent a pontoon, and cruise around the water while fishing and taking in the sights. Or let someone else take you around with a sunset tour from the marina. 

Sign up for a fishing charter and let a local guide take you to the best fishing spots around Dauphin Island. With licenses, lures, baits, and rods included, you will have everything you need for a fun and exciting day on the water. 

Summer Events

Every summer, Dauphin Island offers special events for the whole family. Head to East Beach for Free Family Move Nights every Thursday and Friday from the end of May to the beginning of August. Attend the monthly Sunset Concerts at Historic Fort Gaines and listen to live music.

July also brings the largest fishing tournament in the world to Dauphin Island: the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo. Experience a weekend of fishing competitions and live music with your family. 

Check Out the Island’s Top Attractions

  • Visit the Alabama Aquarium and learn about the marine life of Mobile Bay while exploring the visual and interactive exhibits. 
  • Walk through the nature trails of Audubon Bird Sanctuary and see hundreds of bird species together. 
  • Learn about the rich history of the island at Historic Fort Gaines. 
  • Pirate’s Bar & Grill is the perfect place to hang out in the summertime. Grab dinner in the restaurant and head outside to enjoy the beach, listen to live music, or swim in the pool. 

Stay in a Dauphin Island Vacation Rental this Summer

Book your Alabama summer vacation on Dauphin Island and discover the perfect place for family fun on the Gulf Coast with Boardwalk Realty. We offer Dauphin Island vacation rentals throughout the island to accommodate groups of all sizes. Stay close to the beach and enjoy amenities like outdoor decks, fully-equipped kitchens, spacious bedrooms, and charcoal grills. Reserve your vacation home online or contact us at 1-877-861-3992 to speak with our team directly!

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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