Guest guide

Things to Do on Dauphin Island, Alabama

History, birding, fishing, island dining and Alabama’s best sunsets, plus the local know-how that makes a beach trip easy.

Island time

Welcome to Dauphin Island

Dauphin Island is a 17-mile barrier island about three miles off the mainland at the mouth of Mobile Bay. The east end has the fort, the Sea Lab and the bird sanctuary; the west end, where Pelican Pointe sits, is all about quiet beaches and sunsets.

Historic Fort Gaines

A well-preserved fort that played a key role in the Battle of Mobile Bay.

Bird Sanctuary & Shell Mound

Birding trails, an accessible boardwalk and ancient shell middens.

Alabama Aquarium

Coastal Alabama’s habitats and a stingray touch tank at the Sea Lab.

Where to Eat

Island bakeries, seafood and casual waterfront spots.

Fishing & Boating

Piers, inshore trips and deep-sea charters.

Ferry to Fort Morgan

A scenic crossing of Mobile Bay to the Gulf Shores side.

Mobile Day Trips

Gardens, a battleship and Mardi Gras history on the mainland.

Your Beachfront

The sand right outside Pelican Pointe’s door.

Useful 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 at West End Beach Park.
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, take Highway 193 south (Exit 17) to the Dauphin Island Bridge, about an hour from Mobile. From Gulf Shores, the Mobile Bay Ferry from Fort Morgan is the scenic shortcut. Mobile and Pensacola have the nearest commercial airports.

Groceries & Supplies

Island stores are small, so shop on the mainland 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?

Drive south from Mobile on Highway 193 and cross the Dauphin Island Bridge, about an hour from Mobile, or take the Mobile Bay Ferry from Fort Morgan on the Gulf Shores side.

Are dogs allowed on Dauphin Island beaches?

Leashed dogs are allowed on the island’s beaches, and there’s an island-wide leash law. The exception is West End Beach Park, where pets aren’t allowed because of bird nesting habitat.

What is there to do on Dauphin Island?

Quiet beaches and sunsets, Historic Fort Gaines, the Audubon Bird Sanctuary and Shell Mound Park, the Alabama Aquarium at the Sea Lab, fishing and charters, and island restaurants.

Why is Dauphin Island called the Sunset Capital of Alabama?

The town celebrates the designation with summer sunset concerts at Fort Gaines, and the quiet west end is a favorite spot to watch the sun go down over the Gulf.

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