Guest guide
Things to Do on Dauphin Island, Alabama
Birds, beaches, history and island seafood, plus the local know-how that makes a big family beach trip easy.
Island time
Welcome to Dauphin Island
Dauphin Island is a 17-mile barrier island about three miles off the mainland, where Mobile Bay meets the Gulf. The east end holds the fort, the Sea Lab and the bird sanctuary. The west end, where Waterbirds sits, is quiet beach houses, open sand and the island’s best sunsets.
Birding
The Audubon Bird Sanctuary, Shell Mound Park and peak migration seasons.
Read moreHistoric Fort Gaines
Ramparts, tunnels and the Battle of Mobile Bay.
Read moreAlabama Aquarium
Coastal habitats and a stingray touch tank at the Sea Lab.
Read moreWest End Beach & Sunsets
The public beach at the island’s western tip.
Read moreWhere to Eat
Cinnamon rolls, shrimp and grits and fresh Gulf seafood.
Read moreFishing & Boating
Surf casting, piers, the marina and charters.
Read moreFerry to Fort Morgan
A car ferry across Mobile Bay to the Gulf Shores side.
Read moreYour Beach
The sand right under Waterbirds.
Read moreUseful information
Know Before You Go
Beach Warning Flags
- YellowMedium hazard: moderate surf and/or currents. Use caution.
- RedHigh hazard: high surf and/or strong currents.
- Double RedWater closed to the public.
- PurpleDangerous marine life, such as jellyfish or stingrays, is present.
Conditions change daily. Swim at your own risk and watch for rip currents.
Island Beach Rules
- Leashed pets are allowed on the beaches, except West End Beach.
- No fires, grilling or glass on the beach.
- No metal detecting.
- Sea turtle season runs May 1 to October 31: lights out on the beach side at night.
Getting Here
From I-10 in Mobile, follow Highway 193 south to the Dauphin Island Bridge. At the water tower, turn right onto Bienville Boulevard for the west end. Mobile and Pensacola have the nearest commercial airports.
Groceries & Supplies
Island stores carry the basics only, so shop in Tillman’s Corner or Theodore on the way in. Many island businesses close Mondays and/or Tuesdays.
How do you get to Dauphin Island?
From Mobile, take Highway 193 south and cross the Dauphin Island Bridge, about an hour’s drive. From Gulf Shores, the Mobile Bay Ferry from Fort Morgan is the scenic route.
Is Dauphin Island good for birdwatching?
Yes. The American Bird Conservancy classifies it as a Globally Important Bird Area, and it’s one of the first landfalls for songbirds crossing the Gulf in spring. The Audubon Bird Sanctuary and Shell Mound Park are the best places to look.
Are dogs allowed on Dauphin Island beaches?
Leashed dogs are allowed on the island’s beaches except West End Beach, where pets are prohibited because of bird nesting habitat.
Where is the best place to watch the sunset?
The west end. Dauphin Island calls itself the Sunset Capital of Alabama, and the deck at Waterbirds and West End Beach both face the show.
When is sea turtle nesting season?
May 1 through October 31. Keep beach-facing lights off at night and never disturb nests or hatchlings.
Are restaurants open every day?
Not always. Many island businesses close on Mondays and/or Tuesdays, and hours shrink in the off-season, so call ahead.
Keep exploring
Your home base: Waterbirds
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