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Things to Do in Dauphin Island

Dauphin Island is home to the largest fishing tournament in the world, so it should be no surprise that we offer some of the best fishing in the country! Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a first-time fisher, our Dauphin Island fishing charters offer a diverse range of fish species to target, from feisty redfish and speckled trout to mighty tarpon and king mackerel. Choose Boardwalk Realty to host your getaway, and let a local guide take you to the best fishing spots around Dauphin Island!

Captain Mike’s Fishing

Captain Mike’s Fishing has offered Dauphin Island fishing charters for over 50 years! They offer two charter boats to accommodate short trips, deep sea trips, and group outings. Their walk-on charters are the most popular option, where you can fish for red snapper, vermillion snapper, and triggerfish. And if you are looking for a multi-day fishing adventure, we recommend their three-day Blue Water Big Game Charters!

Captain T’s Fishing Charters

Sign up for a guided inshore or offshore trip with Captain T’s Fishing Charters. Your charter will include rods, reels, bait, and ice. The inshore trips are available as four or six-hour excursions, where you will target trout, redfish, flounder, sheepshead, and tripletail. Or reserve an offshore trip and catch sport fish like amberjack, grouper, and tuna!

D.I. Reef Monster

Join D.I. Reef Monster for a six-person offshore fishing adventure! Their small group trips offer everything you need for a day on the water, including licenses, bait, ice, and bottled water. Whether you are a novice or looking to target specific species, they offer Dauphin Island fishing charters for everyone!

FinAtics Dauphin Island Fishing

FinAtics Dauphin Island Fishing provides family-friendly fishing charters on the island. All trips have an expert guide, license, rods, reels, tackle, bait, lures, and complimentary fish cleaning. Choose from inshore, offshore, deep sea, and private fishing charters. Gather the family and fish for red snapper, redfish, trout, king mackerel, and more!

Plan an Alabama Fishing Getaway on Dauphin Island

Discover Dauphin Island fishing charters and experience the thrill of fishing the Gulf of Mexico’s abundant waters! Choose Boardwalk Realty to host your Alabama getaway and create cherished memories together in your Dauphin Island vacation rental. Call us at 1-877-861-3992 and let our friendly Dauphin Island rental experts help you create your own Alabama memories!

Nestled on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, Dauphin Island offers families a premier summer vacation destination! We invite you to immerse yourself in Dauphin Islands’ natural beauty, serene beaches, and rich history this summer. Whether you want to cool down from the summer heat at Dauphin Island beaches, attend family-friendly events, or learn about local wildlife, there is something for everyone! Choose Boardwalk Realty to host your family getaway and experience everything our slice of paradise has to offer!

Summer Events on Dauphin Island

Every summer, the town of Dauphin Island comes alive with family-friendly entertainment and events, such as:

Free Family Movie Nights

West End Beach hosts free family-friendly movies Thursdays and Fridays at dusk from the end of May to early August. This year you can expect family favorites like Tangled, Jaws, and The Little Mermaid. Don’t forget to bring beach chairs, blankets, snacks, and sunscreen!

2023 Sunset Concerts

Dauphin Island is the sunset capital of Alabama, and we invite you to celebrate with us during the annual sunset concerts. Concerts are held monthly at Historic Fort Gaines two hours before the sun goes down. Admission is $5 for adults and free for kids 12 and under!

Market in the Park

Shop local during your summer getaway at Market in the Park! Shop for a variety of items from local farmers, crafters, and businesses. The market is held at Green Park every Thursday from 1-5 pm and every second Saturday from 9 am-2 pm.

Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo

The largest fishing tournament in the world happens right here on Dauphin Island every July! Purchase your tickets and experience three days of epic fishing with us!

Other Summer Activities on Dauphin Island

In addition to summer events, Dauphin Island offers several year-round attractions to keep your family entertained throughout your visit:

  • Experience your favorite summer pastimes at our beautiful Dauphin Island beaches. Enjoy 17 miles of white sand beaches, perfect for swimming, beachcombing, and watersports. We recommend West End Beach!
  • Visit the Alabama Aquarium and learn all about the coastal habitats of Alabama together through visual and interactive exhibits.
  • Explore the great outdoors at the Audobon Bird Sanctuary, and keep an eye out for local wildlife like birds, butterflies, fish, and alligators.
  • Play a round of miniature golf at Dauphin Island Golf, and then cool down from the summer heat with some ice cream from the concession stand!

Family-Friendly Vacation Rentals on Dauphin Island

Gather the family and spend your summer on Dauphin Island! Choose Boardwalk Realty to host your getaway and access Dauphin Island beaches right out your front door with our Gulf Front and Bay Front vacation rentals. Whether you are looking for a cozy cottage for your small family or a large home for the extended family, we have the perfect Dauphin Island vacation rentals waiting for you!

The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo is the largest fishing tournament in the world, and it happens right here on Dauphin Island! Every summer, thousands of anglers and tens of thousands of spectators flock to our island for three days of exceptional fishing! This summer event offers fun for the whole family, with 30 fishing categories, live entertainment, awards ceremonies, and more. 

Visit Dauphin Island the third weekend in July and choose Boardwalk Realty to host your family during the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo!

A Brief History of the Fishing Rodeo

It all started with a fishing trip in the summer of 1928 with a group of businessmen from Mobile, Alabama. After the trip, an idea began to bring a competitive fishing tournament to Dauphin Island. By the following year, the first Alabama Fishing Rodeo was up and running, garnering immediate success. The original destination for the rodeo was Fort Gaines Pier before moving to the location on LeMoyne Drive. Discover more rodeo history on the ADSFR About Us page!

2023 Events at the Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo

Roy Martin Young Anglers Tournament: July 15th

Every weekend before the rodeo is the annual Roy Martin Young Anglers Tournament. Plan your getaway a week earlier and bring the family together through sportsmanship. Around 1,500 young anglers participate in this event annually in over 30 different categories. 

Liar’s Contest: July 20th

The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo kicks off every year with the Liar’s Contest. This unique contest brings anglers to the stage to tell their best tall tales! Following the Liar’s Contest, Bruce Smelley Band will take the stage from 8-11 pm. 

Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo: July 21st-23rd

The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo attracts over 75,000 spectators and over 3,000 anglers annually! One Master Angler is awarded every year, along with cash prizes for King Mackerel, Speckled Trout, and Big Game. A cannon blast starts the Friday competition, and three days of epic fishing commences! Make sure to catch the free live music during the rodeo, including:

Follow the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo Facebook page for regular updates leading up to the event, including the 2023 schedule and ticket information!

Vacation Rentals for the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo

Are you looking for places to stay during the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo? Boardwalk Realty has you covered with our collection of over 50 vacation rentals on Dauphin Island! Ranging from two to six bedrooms, we offer a wide range of accommodations for your family to choose from this summer. Join us this July for the world’s largest fishing tournament!

After spending time soaking up the sun on the white sand beaches of Dauphin Island, refuel from the day’s adventures at one of our local eateries. Whether you are craving freshly caught seafood, delicious Southern BBQ, or hearty breakfast platters, there is something for everyone’s taste buds at our Dauphin Island restaurants. And for the days you want to save on eating out, Boardwalk Realty has the perfect place to hang out and prepare meals together in your vacation rental kitchen!

Pirate’s Bar and Grill

Pirate’s Bar and Grill offers authentic Southern food in a scenic waterfront setting. They are the perfect place to enjoy fresh gulf seafood, world-famous wings, live music, drink specials, plus pool and beach access. Don’t forget to order the Original Dauphin Island Bushwacker, made with a delicious blend of ice cream, rum, and chocolate!

Islanders Restaurant

Witness a picturesque sunset from the outdoor patio at Islanders! This Dauphin Island restaurant is the place to be to enjoy freshly caught seafood, live music, trivia, and late-night bites at the tiki bar. 

Dockside Seafood Restaurant

Enjoy seafood with a view of the bay at Dockside! Their menu keeps it simple and delicious with options like shrimp, po’boys, tacos, burgers, and seafood baskets.

Reel Deal BBQ & Seafood

If you are craving some Southern-style BBQ, head down to Reel Deal. They offer BBQ pork, brisket, ribs, and chicken served as sandwiches, plates, or by the pound. Then pair your meal with mouthwatering sides like baked beans, okra, and hush puppies. 

Skinner’s Seafood

Stop at Skinner’s Seafood and pick up a delicious dinner to enjoy in your vacation home. Their steamer take-out menu includes crab claws, scallops, shrimp, crab legs, and oysters. Choose your favorite sides for the perfect meal, including coleslaw, corn on the cob, red potatoes, or andouille pork sausage. 

Miguel’s Beach’n Baja

Miguel’s Beach’n Baja is known for its fresh tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and homemade salsa. This hole-in-the-wall eatery combines West Coast flavor with the soul of the Gulf Coast to create tasty dishes for every palate!

Lighthouse Bakery

Stop for breakfast at the Lighthouse Bakery for fantastic coffee and freshly made sweets like cinnamon rolls, muffins, turnovers, and cookies. In addition to sweet treats, bakery visitors can also enjoy sandwiches on freshly baked bread and delicious three-egg omelets served every Saturday. Celebrating a special occasion while on the Island? Call ahead to order a beautiful custom cake!

Captain Snapper’s Marina Bar and Grill

Located at the scenic Dauphin Island Marina, enjoy a variety of delicious eats at Captain Snapper’s, including crab legs, fresh half-shell oysters, ribeyes, burgers, and more. 

Dauphin Island Alabama Beach Vacation Rentals 

After enjoying fresh seafood at Dauphin Island restaurants, return to your vacation home with Boardwalk Realty. We offer a wide selection of Dauphin Island vacation rentals for every group, whether you are looking for a beachfront oasis or a home with a private pool. Regardless of where you stay, you will have access to a fully-equipped kitchen complete with cooking basics, dishes, silverware, a stove, a coffee maker, and a dining table. Book your Alabama beach vacation today!

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