Three Good Reasons to Visit Beautiful Dauphin Island, Alabama

Monday we visited Dauphin Island, Alabama. I had come across this place while searching the internet for places to hike and see birds. I wouldn’t quite call Shannon and I birders or twitchers, however, we do like watching birds and seeing new birds. There was so much more to this island than I knew. Here are the 3 good reasons to visit beautiful Dauphin Island, Alabama.

REASON ONE

Reason number one to visit Dauphin Island is the island itself. Looking at the picture on the left, you can see a tiny strip surrounded by water. Those are houses out there on that tiny strip of land! Dauphin Island is a barrier island off the coast of Alabama that is 14 miles long and only 1 3/4 miles wide. The houses are almost all on stilts and both sides have water views. It even has a school! Just imagine living here all the time, surrounded by water and sun everyday! I’d never want to leave. The island also has three RV parks, an Audubon Bird Sanctuary, Fort Gaines, and a beautiful, white sand beach. There were families everywhere, walking, biking, picnicking, sun bathing, swimming, jogging and enjoying themselves. I highly recommend this spot for a nice family vacation, or a romantic spot for couples. There are plenty of Air B and Bs to rent too if you prefer to do it that way or you can bring your tent or RV for a more rustic vacation.

REASON TWO

The second good reason to visit beautiful Dauphin Island is the Audubon Bird Sanctuary. It has well maintained trails that meander through the woods, around a lake filled with turtles and, apparently, possibly alligators. (I was hoping to see one, but no luck!) There is a half mile interpretative trail around the fresh water lake, dune systems, Gulf beach and swamp. Of course, birds as well. We saw a red headed woodpecker, pelicans, egrets, herons and the usual cardinals, blue birds, etc. Despite the fact that the sign says that there is no beach access, many visitors were pulling their wagons full of beach paraphernalia and children.

REASON THREE

The third good reason to visit beautiful Dauphin Island, at last, is the beach! We saved the best for last so we could completely relax. After walking the very long boardwalk from the parking lot to the beach, we were amazed by the soft, warm, white sand. It didn’t even burn the bottom of our feet! The Gulf of Mexico beckoned to us and we jumped right in. The water was surprisingly warm and since it was low tide, there were sand bars everywhere.

Since we are on vacation and going to so many different places, all I packed for the beach was a bathing suit and a towel. No beach chairs. No umbrella. It was the best! Shannon and I snuggled down into the sand, making a nice little warm cocoon, and quickly drifted asleep to the soft sounds of the waves. This was the perfect end to the day. I left extremely relaxed and de-stressed.

Next up on our two week vacation is Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana! I’m ready for a good sleep and then coffee and beignets!