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Vacation Rentals on Dauphin Island

Take a break from the hustle of daily life and escape to Dauphin Island for a memorable family vacation on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Our quiet island is a fantastic place to spend quality time together while soaking up the atmosphere of our crowd-free beaches. Choose Boardwalk Realty as your lodging partner and stay in one of our Dauphin Island vacation rentals. Whether you are traveling with your immediate family or extended family, we have lodging for groups of all sizes. To help make your trip truly unforgettable, we’ve created a helpful guide with tips and vacation ideas to help you plan the perfect family getaway on Dauphin Island.

Find the Right Location on Dauphin Island 

The first step in planning your Dauphin Island family vacation is deciding where to stay. Discover the difference in island locations at the bottom of our FAQ page. Then, decide if you want to stay on the Gulf of Mexico or the Island’s North Shore along the Mississippi Sound and Mobile Bay. For example, our Gulf Front properties are located directly on the beach of the Gulf of Mexico. And our Bayfront/Soundfront rentals are located along the Mississippi Sound or Mobile Bay. 

Decide What Amenities Your Family Needs

Then, decide what kind of amenities your family needs. Want a pool to cool off this summer? Reserve one of our Dauphin Island vacation homes with a private pool. Want to explore the waterways on a boat? Our boat-dock properties are the perfect option. Looking to bring your dog along for the trip? Book one of our pet-friendly homes

Plan Your Itinerary

After booking your rental home, it’s time to start planning your itinerary. Check out these kid-friendly attractions and activities for inspiration:

  • Spend an afternoon at our local beaches and enjoy activities like swimming, shelling, and wildlife watching.
  • Visit the Alabama Aquarium and take the kids to learn about the marine life of Mobile Bay. 
  • Surround yourself with nature and watch birds and wildlife at the Audubon Bird Sanctuary
  • Take a tour with your family at historic Fort Gaines and learn local history together. 
  • Play a round of miniature golf at Island Golf.
  • Check the calendar of events during your stay and see what family-friendly events are happening around the island.
  • Reserve a Dauphin Island boat rental and explore the Mississippi Sound or Mobile Bay with the family while sightseeing, fishing, and watching for wildlife. 
  • Fuel up for your adventures at one of the island’s restaurants. And on days you want to save on dining out, you can prepare meals together in your vacation rental kitchen!

Book Your Dauphin Island Family Vacation Rental

Start planning your Dauphin Island family vacation with Boardwalk Realty and find the perfect property for your group. If you need assistance finding the right vacation rental, don’t hesitate to contact us at 1-877-861-3992. Our friendly rental experts are here to help you find the best rental option for you and your family!

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!

Although most visitors plan their Alabama Gulf Coast vacation during summer, our slice of coastal paradise provides a fantastic destination year-round. Plan a winter trip along the Alabama Gulf Coast to Dauphin Island and experience the perks of visiting during the off-season. Explore island attractions without the crowds, enjoy the mild winter weather, watch the annual bird migration, and enjoy special off-season rates. Book your winter escape with Boardwalk Realty and find the perfect beach rental for your getaway. 

Mild Winter Weather

Dauphin Island offers mild winter weather, with average daily highs in the mid-60s and average daily lows in the mid-40s. This means you’ll rarely see snow on Dauphin Island, but you will see rainy days during this time of year. Since summers are hot and humid, winter provides an opportune time to explore the great outdoors!

Fewer Crowds

Enjoy Dauphin Island without the summer crowds. With fewer crowds, you can enjoy secluded beach days, better accommodation rates, less wait times at our local restaurants, and more peaceful nature experiences. 

Activities for All Interests

Besides swimming, you can experience everything you love about Dauphin Island during the wintertime:

  • Winter is the best time to watch Dauphin Island’s waterfowl, seabirds, and shorebirds. Find the best birdwatching spots on the island and download this checklist for a complete list of species.
  • Walk to the beach from your vacation rental and stroll along the shoreline looking for seashells. Then, find a comfortable spot in the sand and watch the sunset dip below the horizon.
  • Visit the Cedar Point Fishing Pier just north of the bridge to Dauphin Island and cast your line in the water for winter fishing.
  • Explore popular attractions open year-round, like the Alabama Aquarium and Historic Fort Gaines
  • Take the Mobile Bay Ferry and spend a day exploring the neighboring towns of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

Discounted Accommodations

Winter is the perfect time to save money on Boardwalk Realty’s Dauphin Island vacation rentals. We offer a special Snowbird Monthly Rental Program from October through March, where you can reserve our properties for a full calendar month. Contact our office at 877-861-3992 for more information on our snowbird rentals. Check out our specials for last-minute property discounts, and book your Alabama winter getaway on Dauphin Island today!

Reserve a Dauphin Island beach rental with Boardwalk Realty and stay steps away from our beautiful white sand beaches. Pack snacks, beach chairs, and coolers in your vacation home, then head to the beach for endless fun in the sun. Spend your days swimming, suntanning, watching the sunset, beachcombing, and building sand castles. Whether you are looking for a dog-friendly beach to bring your four-legged friends or a family-friendly beach with convenient amenities, there is a Dauphin Island beach for everyone!

Dauphin Island Beaches

Dauphin Island offers three beaches across our 14-mile island: West End Beach, Middle Beach, and East End Beach. Before heading to the beaches, familiarize yourself with the parking regulations and beach rules. Then, check beach conditions from the Dauphin Island Public Safety page for updated beach flags and rip currents information.

Middle Beach

Middle Beach, also known as Dauphin Island Public Beach, is a great option for families and pets to hang out for the day. Access the beach at 1509 Bienville Blvd, next to the Dauphin Island Elementary School, and enjoy sightseeing from the Dauphin Island Pier, walks on the beach with your dog, and swimming with the family. 

West Beach

If you want a beach with family-friendly amenities, we recommend visiting West Beach at the end of Bienville Blvd at 3000 Bienville. Here, you can enjoy convenient amenities like food vendors, beach chair rentals, and restrooms. Stick around for the Summer Family Movie Nights and Summer Sunset Concert Series and enjoy entertainment at the beach. Keep in mind absolutely no pets, glass, grills, fires, or overnight camping are allowed on West Beach. 

East Beach

East Beach is located at the easternmost end of Bienville Blvd, just past Fort Gaines. Take the family here and enjoy a day of swimming, beachcombing, kite flying, and wildlife watching.  Nearby, you can enjoy fishing on Mobile Bay at the East End Landing pier

Dauphin Island Beachfront Vacation Homes

Spend your days on our white sand beaches and immerse yourself in Dauphin Island’s natural and cultural history. Book one of our Gulf Front vacation rentals and easily access our beaches from your vacation home. From our two-bedroom Foresight home to our six-bedroom Bama Breeze property, we have beachfront homes for groups of all sizes!

Leave the car at your Boardwalk Realty vacation rental and easily get around Dauphin Island on a golf cart rental. Reserve your golf cart with Island Time Cart Rentals and drive to the island’s beaches, restaurants, and attractions. Whether you need to pick up groceries in town or just want to enjoy the sights of the island at your leisure, golf carts are the perfect addition to your vacation!

Dauphin Island Golf Cart Rentals

With Island Time Cart Rentals, you can enjoy free golf cart delivery and pickup at your vacation rental. All their golf carts are fueled or fully charged, so you can start your adventures when you arrive. These carts accommodate six passengers and include foldable seats to transport your beach gear, coolers, and groceries easily. Before booking, please familiarize yourself with their rules and regulations.

Golf Cart Rules

  • Golf cart rentals are low-speed vehicles that must comply with all the normal roadway laws.
  • Wear shoes at all times
  • Wear seatbelts at all times
  • Do NOT take your golf cart on the beach
  • You must be over 21 to operate a golf cart and have a valid driver’s license.

Where to Go on Your Golf Cart Rental

Whether you are looking for transportation or want to cruise around the island, there are several destinations to take your golf cart:

Reserve Your Dauphin Island Vacation Rental Today

Book your Dauphin Island golf cart rental and enjoy free delivery to your Boardwalk Realty vacation rental. Island Time Cart Rentals are delivered between 10-11 am and are picked up between 9-10 am the following day. Browse our Dauphin Island vacation rentals and find the perfect basecamp for your Alabama beach getaway today!

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