Dauphin Island vacation rentals

Explore Dauphin Island from vacation home rentals

The first thing to do when you arrive at your Dauphin Island vacation rental? Take your watch off and hide it in the bottom of your suitcase. You won't be needing it here. This unbelievably laid-back little town, set on a Gulf island of the same name, is a place for lounging on the beaches, wildlife watching in the nature reserves, and taking long, lazy fishing trips out on the water. There are enough museums and attractions to keep you occupied if you feel the need, but you might struggle to tear yourself away from the sand and those perfect views.

Heritage sites near Dauphin Island vacation rentals

Dauphin Island has numerous historic sites to delight the history buff. Vacation homes are available near fascinating places like Sand Island Lighthouse, a masonry Gothic lighthouse from 1873, and Indian Shell Mound Park, a historic subtropical island park with prehistoric shell mounds, abundant birdlife, and ancient trees. You'll also like Battery Stanton, a historic gun battery at Fort Gaines with 2 levels of reinforced concrete.

Attractions near your Dauphin Island vacation rentals

So you're thinking a Dauphin Island vacation rental is just about as tranquil as it gets? Well, it hasn't always been this tranquil. During the American Civil War, the Battle of Mobile Bay was a crucial naval bust-up, and you can learn all about it at Fort Gaines. And if you're more about the here and now, how about paying a visit to the Dauphin Island Sea Lab? Their "Estuarium" features exhibits on marine environments including Mobile Bay, the river delta, and Alabama's barrier islands, plus a living marsh boardwalk and a tank full of rays.

Activities near your Dauphin Island vacation homes

Your Dauphin Island vacation rental is a great base for exploring the gorgeous Gulf beaches. There are a few to choose from, all pretty much pristine. The main public beach is open during the day all year round, with modest fees payable during peak season. And if you'd prefer to be on the water than in it, Dauphin Island offers plenty of opportunities for boating and fishing. Away from the beaches, the Audubon Bird Sanctuary is one of the major activity hotspots on Dauphin Island. A great location for wildlife watching, it also boasts several miles of hiking trails across a 137-acre site.

Local weather for your stay in Dauphin Island vacation homes

Like everything else on Dauphin Island, the climate is pretty simple. Summers are hot and fairly humid, while winters are milder and not quite so close. And if you're not keen on white stuff falling from the skies, then you can rest easy—it's pretty much certain you won't see any. What you might see a fair amount of, though, is rain. It can get wet even in the middle of winter on Dauphin Island, while summer days are prone to short, sharp thunderstorms. Throw an umbrella in your bag, and all will be well.

You're not the only ones migrating to Dauphin Island

This handsome island in the Gulf of Mexico offers up a dizzying variety of terrain, including beaches, wetlands, maritime forests, and dunes. And you'd best polish up those binoculars, because you're going to need them for your Dauphin Island vacation rental. The Audubon Bird Sanctuary is one of several such reserves on Dauphin Island, but it's the most famous. It's such a popular spot for birdwatching during the spring migration that it's even been recognized as being of national importance. Oh, and did we mention the sunsets on Dauphin Island? Never mind, you'll soon find out for yourself.

Top beaches near Dauphin Island vacation homes

The beautiful beaches of Dauphin Island are one of its biggest draws. Vacation rentals put you within reach of beach locales like West End Public Beach, an island beach with picnic areas, a waterslide, and calm waters, and Public Beach, a pet-friendly beach with a boardwalk and beautiful gulf-front views. You'll also like Coronado Cove, a sheltered cove with sandy beaches, parks, and greenery.

Traveling to and around Dauphin Island

The nearest airport is in Mobile Regional Airport (MOB), located 30.5 mi (49.1 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that works for your travel itinerary, you could also fly into Mobile, AL (BFM-Downtown Airport), which is 26.9 mi (43.3 km) away.