Discover the Dauphin Island Arts Scene: Galleries & Events 27 Mar 2025, 7:22 pm

Visit the Alabama Gulf Coast and discover the perfect destination for beach-goers, nature enthusiasts, history buffs, and art lovers on Dauphin Island. If you fall into the last category, there are many ways to support local artists during your vacation. Browse Dauphin Island art galleries, attend art events, or sign up for a local class to create your own masterpiece. Get inspired by the natural beauty of Dauphin Island and create art in your Boardwalk Realty vacation rental!

Arts of Dauphin Island

Discover the hub of the local arts community at Arts of Dauphin Island. This gallery hosts many local and regional artists, showcasing various art styles, from paintings to pottery. 

In addition to being a gallery, they sponsor community events and classes throughout the year. One of their most popular events is the Open Air Market, where you can shop from dozens of local crafters set up on the front lawn. 

Dauphin Island Heritage and Arts Council

Unlock your creative spirit and sign up for an art class from the Dauphin Island Heritage and Arts Council. They offer classes for adults and children, so everyone in your group can create something here. Check their calendar during your visit and choose from classes that teach you how to make pottery, paint watercolors, write songs, and more. 

Annual Art Events on Dauphin Island

Plein Air Dauphin Island

Witness artists paint the natural beauty of Dauphin Island during the Plein Air event. This event will showcase up to 50 artists who will set up their easels across the island and create paintings in the open air. 

Dauphin Island Art Trail

Browse art from over 40 regional artists during the Dauphin Island Art Trail event at Cadillac Square Park. Participate in the scavenger hunt and get your map stamped to be entered into a prize drawing!

Discover Art near Your Dauphin Island Vacation Rental

Whether you want to shop, create, or admire art at our galleries, there is something for every art lover on Dauphin Island. Beyond our arts scene, you can spend your time on the island relaxing on the beach, fishing the Gulf, learning history at Fort Gaines, and wildlife watching. Find the perfect lodging for your Alabama Gulf Coast getaway with Boardwalk Realty. We offer over 50 vacation rentals on Dauphin Island, just steps away from the beach. Book with us online or contact us to speak directly with our team!

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Join Us for Spring Events on Dauphin Island 28 Feb 2025, 10:06 pm

If you are planning a trip to Dauphin Island this spring, you are in for a treat. Every season, Dauphin Island hosts several exciting events to keep everyone in your family entertained during your visit. From kite flying competitions to arts and crafts festivals, there is something for everyone’s interests. Make the most of your spring vacation and rent a private vacation rental with Boardwalk Realty, offering the perfect lodging for groups of all sizes. Read on to discover all the spring events happening on Dauphin Island:

Kite Fest, March 8, 2025

Head to East End Beach for the annual Kite Festival and have a fun-filled day with your family. Be a spectator, or bring your own kite for a chance to win awards and prizes for the highest flying, biggest, most unique, or best homemade kite. 

Dauphin Island Native American Experience, March 22, 2025

This spring, Historic Fort Gaines will host a Native American Experience event with tribal members from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and the Seminole Tribe. Discover Indigenous culture and history through interactive demonstrations, dancing, canoe carving, beadwork, and cultural displays. 

Bird Banding, April 5-9, 2025

Dauphin Island is classified as a Globally Important Bird Area, and banders come to the island every spring to band and release birds. Learn about the process from volunteers and see birds up close.

Pops Concert, April 5, 2025

Visit the Dauphin Island Water Tower and attend a free concert hosted by the Mobile Symphonic Pops Band. 

Motorcycle Show, April 13, 2025

Whether you are a motorcycle rider, enthusiast, or a family looking for a fun afternoon on the island, the annual Motorcycle Show is a great way to spend the day. Expect vintage motorcycles, live music, and local food trucks. 

Plein Air, April 24-27, 2025

Witness talented artists paint the beautiful natural landscapes of Dauphin Island during the annual Plein Air event. Stroll through the island and watch incredible works of art come to life in front of your eyes. During the weekend, you can also attend the St. Francis Arts & Crafts Festival and shop for art from over 50 local artists. 

Thunder on the Bay, April 26-27, 2025

Celebrate local history during the Thunder on the Bay event at Fort Gaines. This event observes the anniversary of the Battle of Mobile Bay and will include cannon firings, mock battles, and soldiers dressed in period uniforms. 

Reserve Your Spring Getaway on Dauphin Island

There’s always something fun happening on Dauphin Island. Reserve your spring visit with Boardwalk Realty and join us for exciting events the whole family can enjoy. See what else is happening throughout the year on our Dauphin Island events page. Browse our vacation rentals and find the perfect basecamp for your Alabama beach getaway today!

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Plan a Dauphin Island, Alabama, Family Vacation with Boardwalk Realty 22 Jan 2025, 10:35 pm

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!

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Discover Local History at Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island 31 Dec 2024, 7:35 pm

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!

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Reasons to Visit the Alabama Gulf Coast During Winter 27 Nov 2024, 7:58 pm

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!

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Dauphin Island Beach Guide 1 Nov 2024, 7:00 pm

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!

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Where to Go on Your Dauphin Island Golf Cart Rental 30 Sep 2024, 7:39 pm

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:

• Drive your golf cart to Dauphin Island beaches and spend a day swimming, suntanning, and beachcombing.
• Take your cart to the island’s east end to learn some local history at Historic Fort Gaines. 
• Just down the road from Fort Gaines, you can visit the Audubon Bird Sanctuary for some fantastic bird watching and the Alabama Aquarium to learn about local marine life. 
• Forgot necessities for your beach day? Take your golf cart to Beach Planet for all the necessary gear. For groceries, we recommend stopping at JG Ship and Shore. 
• Drive to one of our mouthwatering seafood restaurants for fresh fish, shrimp, and oysters. 

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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Where to See the Fall Migration While Birding on Dauphin Island 30 Aug 2024, 6:14 pm

As a Globally Important Bird Area, Dauphin Island is one of the best places for birding in the Southeast. Plan a fall getaway on Dauphin Island and witness hundreds of birds take shelter on our island during the annual fall migration. Grab your binoculars and use the resources from Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuaries to find the best information on local birding spots, conservation efforts, and birding checklists. Bird watch from anywhere on the island or seek out the hot spots at East End, Pelican Point, or the Audubon Bird Sanctuary. With over 350 bird species reported here, birding on Dauphin Island is the perfect addition to your vacation with Boardwalk Realty. 

Dauphin Island Fall Migration

Birding on Dauphin Island is fantastic year-round, but the spring and fall migrations have been described as the “stuff of birding legend.” During the fall, shorebirds make a pit stop on Dauphin Island to prepare and get ready for their long trans-gulf flight. This results in a high diversity of species passing through, providing incredible birding opportunities. If you want to join local research efforts, you can sign up for Coastal Bird Banding through the Audubon Bird Sanctuary in October. 

Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuaries 

The non-profit organization Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuaries preserves the island’s valuable habitat and manages several protected places open to the public. Download the birding checklist and see how many birds you can check off while visiting these birding locales:

Pelican Point

Located just south and east of Fort Gaines, Pelican Point is a popular spot to see seabirds in the early morning or late afternoon. Look for birds on the beach, jetties, and the underbrush by the parking area. Common species here include black-bellied plover, ruddy turnstone, gulls, terns, and brown pelicans. 

Audubon Bird Sanctuary

The Audubon Bird Sanctuary offers 164 acres of phenomenal birding amidst woodlands, swamps, marshes, dunes, and beaches. Explore the sanctuary’s diverse habitats and spot migrating passerines in the oak grove and herons at Galliard Lake. 

Shell Mound Park

Visit Shell Mound Park for the best passerine bird watching on the island. Explore this 11-acre site and see migrant birds in the oak trees and native vegetation. Nearby, you can find even more fantastic passerine birding at Goat Tree Reserve and Cadillac Square. 

West End Park

Head to West End Park and walk along the beach to see large numbers of gulls, terns, shorebirds, and wading birds. See least terns and plovers in the dunes and shorebirds like reddish egrets in the tidal pools. 

Fall Vacation Rentals on Dauphin Island

Plan your getaway from mid-September through October and experience the fall migration on Dauphin Island. Head to the island’s birding hot spots or enjoy birding from the comfort of your Dauphin Island vacation rental with Boardwalk Realty. Book one of our Gulf Front or Bay Front properties and watch the birds from your deck or from the beach steps away!

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Where is Dauphin Island? Your Guide to Alabama’s Sunset Capital 20 Jul 2024, 8:38 pm

Get off the beaten path this summer and visit Dauphin Island, a hidden gem on the Alabama Gulf Coast. If you’ve never visited the Gulf Coast, you may ask yourself, “Where is Dauphin Island?” Boardwalk Realty is here to put our island paradise on the map by providing visitors with an inside look into where we are located, how to get here, and what to do when you arrive. Book your vacation home on Dauphin Island and visit the Southernmost point in Alabama to discover pristine beaches, incredible birdwatching, rich history, and exceptional fishing!

Where is Dauphin Island?

Dauphin Island is located at the southernmost point of Alabama on the Gulf Coast, just three miles south of Mobile Bay. It is part of Mobile County and is just 37 miles from the town of Mobile. The island is also surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico to the south and the Mississippi Sound and Mobile Bay to the north. 

How to Get Here

Getting to Dauphin Island is easy via the Dauphin Island bridge or the Mobile Bay Ferry:

• If you are traveling from Mobile, Montgomery, or Birmingham, we recommend accessing the island via I-65. If traveling from the west, I-10 is the route to follow. Get to the island from the Gordon Persons Bridge, the sole road connecting to the mainland.
• If you are traveling from the east, the best way to access our island is via the Mobile Bay Ferry. Save travel time and get across Mobile Bay in just 40 minutes! The ferry offers daily transportation to and from Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan, weather permitting.

What to Do

Now that you know how to get here, you may be wondering what to do when you arrive:

• Relax at 7 miles of pristine sugar white sand beaches of Dauphin Island.
• Visit the Audubon Bird Sanctuary and experience some of the best birdwatching in Alabama.
• Discover the island’s rich history at Historic Fort Gaines, a crucial site for the South during the Civil War.
• Visit the Dauphin Island Sea Lab Alabama Aquarium and learn all about the marine life of Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico through visual and interactive exhibits. 

Book Dauphin Island Vacation Homes

Now that you know where Dauphin Island is located, it’s time to plan your beach getaway with Boardwalk Realty. Browse our collection of Dauphin Island vacation rentals and find the perfect basecamp for your group. Explore everything our island has to offer and immerse yourself in the small-town charm of Dauphin Island. If you need assistance finding the right property, don’t hesitate to reach out at 877-861-3992!

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What to Do on Your Dauphin Island Boat Rental 17 Jun 2024, 9:11 pm

Book one of Boardwalk Realty’s Boat Dock properties and explore the waterways around Dauphin Island during your stay. Reserve a Dauphin Island boat rental and chart your own adventure in the Mississippi Sound, Mobile Bay, or Gulf waters. Launch your boat from your vacation rental and spend your time on the water fishing, wildlife watching, swimming, and watching the sunset. Experience the Alabama Coast with us and make unforgettable memories on the water this summer!

Dauphin Island Boat Dock Properties

Boardwalk Realty offers ten vacation rentals with boat docks on the island, offering easy access to the surrounding waterways. Launch your boat from the dock and have a perfect summer day on the water, fishing, swimming, and sightseeing. Take advantage of additional amenities like fish cleaning stations, outdoor showers, swim ladders, and deck areas. Please note that the boat and jet ski lifts visible in the pictures are unavailable for guest use.

Dauphin Island Boat Rentals

Head to the Dauphin Island Marina and reserve a boat rental for the duration of your stay. They offer six, eight, and ten-passenger pontoon rentals. Gather your family for a day on the water and check out these activities:

Fishing

Dauphin Island is a paradise for anglers. North of the island, Mobile Bay offers fantastic inshore fishing. Cast your line for white trout, ground mullet, and flounder in the bay. South of the island, you can access the Gulf for some epic deep-sea fishing. Target species like red snapper, amberjack, and king mackerel.  

Wildlife Watching

Dauphin Island provides a critical habitat for an array of wildlife species. During your boating adventures, keep your eyes peeled for birds flying over your head and dolphin pods playing in the bay. 

Sightseeing

Cruise along the coast of Dauphin Island and enjoy some sightseeing past the Indian Shell Mounds, historic Fort Gaines, and Sand Island Lighthouse. Bring a picnic and find a spot on the water to watch a scenic sunset.

Explore Dauphin Island with Boardwalk Realty 

Whether you are traveling by boat or need to reserve a Dauphin Island boat rental, Boardwalk Realty offers the perfect basecamp with our Boat Dock properties. Stay at Sunset Key and enjoy convenient access to the Mississippi Sound, or choose Dues Paid and access the Mississippi Sound, Mobile Bay, and Gulf Waters from your vacation home. If you need assistance finding the best boat dock property, please contact us at 1-877-861-3992. 

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