1-877-861-3992

Beach Rentals Dauphin Island

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!

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!

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!

DAUPHIN ISLAND WEATHER
Skip to content