Dauphin Island Public Beach: Address, Phone Number, Dauphin Island Public Beach Reviews: 4/5
Dauphin Island Public Beach
Dauphin Island Public Beach
4
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More than 3 hours
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
17 within 3 miles

Island Rainbow
237
0.3 mi$ • Dessert • Italian • American

Islanders Restaurant and Bar
601
445 ft$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Seafood

Reel Deal BBQ & Seafood
30
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • American • Barbecue

Skinner's Seafood
517
0.8 mi$$ - $$$ • Specialty Food Market • American • Seafood

Pirates Bar and Grill
432
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Seafood

Lighthouse Bakery
587
0.9 mi$$ - $$$ • Bakeries • American • Cafe

Miguel's Beach'n Baja
138
0.9 mi$ • Quick Bites • Mexican • Vegetarian Friendly

Island Chevron and Grill
61
0.8 mi$ • American

Dority's Bar & Grill
27
0.8 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Seafood

Pelican Pub
47
0.8 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Seafood
Attractions
9 within 6 miles

Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary
208
2.3 miNature & Wildlife Areas

Fort Gaines
526
2.9 miHistoric Sites

Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab
661
2.9 miScience Museums • Aquariums

Mobile Bay Ferry
709
2.9 miFerries

Dauphin Island Little Red School House Community Complex
6
0.7 miSpeciality Museums • History Museums

Indian Shell Mound Park
116
1.2 miState Parks

Dauphin Island Marina
11
1.2 miMarinas
Dauphin Island Park And Beach
3
2.9 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Piers & Boardwalks

Cedar Point Pier
3
Piers & Boardwalks
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
412 reviews
Excellent
168
Very good
130
Average
60
Poor
30
Terrible
24
mclay514
2 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
Really surprised by some of the reviews I have read. I did not read any them until I was already down here but I have not had any of the negative experiences I read. Not any seaweed at the beaches we been to. While I have seen some helicopters, it is not that bad. The sand is not as powdery white and water not a blue as you might see at other areas along the coast but it is nice. It is not near as crowded as other areas and life a little more quiet and relaxed. Mostly beach homes on the island and not many condos or resorts. We took a trip to the sea lab on a rainy day and it was nice, not like the Chattanooga or Georgia Aquariums but you got an idea of the local fish and wildlife. Not any amusement parks but I am not into wasting my money on that. If your like a quiet relaxing beach area with less of the of the crowd then it is great. Only thing I was surprised by was you can see a number of oil rigs out in the ocean.
Written July 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
A K
Indiana129 contributions
Jul 2021
If you don't mind the long walk to the beach from the parking lot, you will enjoy this beautiful, uncrowded beach. There is a ton of room to spread out along the beach so that you feel like you have your own private space. There are dolphins that swam fairly close, and little fish and sizable crabs that our older kids enjoyed netting in the water.
Its. A. Long. Walk. Bring everything you need including an umbrella, a ton of sunscreen, chairs, a cooler, towel, camera, a net (even if ur an adult its fun!) I hear vinegar is good for jelly fish but we did not see or feel any of those while visiting, and whatever else you feel necessary! ENJOY! Suncreen even if ur under an umbrella!
Its. A. Long. Walk. Bring everything you need including an umbrella, a ton of sunscreen, chairs, a cooler, towel, camera, a net (even if ur an adult its fun!) I hear vinegar is good for jelly fish but we did not see or feel any of those while visiting, and whatever else you feel necessary! ENJOY! Suncreen even if ur under an umbrella!
Written August 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
spw439s
Poplar Bluff, MO131 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
We went to two of the public beaches - the one in the middle of the island and the west end beach. We liked the west end best. The middle beach was fine but the walk to the car was extremely long - good luck if you have to go back to your car or use the restroom. The west end beach offers the gulf (more surf)and the bay (calmer waters). They do charge to get in ($3 parking and $3 per person). If you go after 6 in the evening they won't charge you. Great place to watch the sunset and to take family pictures.
Written July 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Steve W
1 contribution
Aug 2020 • Family
It was a very nice place when I was growing up, I went almost every day and then the bridge got destroyed by hurricane Fredrick and we the people paid for the bridge to be rebuilt and now they want to charge an arm and a leg just to go to what you would think would be a public beach.
This absolutely sucks in a very big way.
If the bridge is ever destroyed again I do what ever I can to make sure that the island government has to pay the bills.
This absolutely sucks in a very big way.
If the bridge is ever destroyed again I do what ever I can to make sure that the island government has to pay the bills.
Written June 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jbelfield
Farmington, MO1 contribution
Mar 2021 • Couples
We have visited the Al gulf coast numbers of times but usually stay on fort Morgan. I found DI to be the most inhospitable place to stay. There are no convenient stores within 30 miles. The house we rented needed a lot of work but was liveable. The people weren’t friendly and restaurants that advertised pet friendly were not.
Will not visit here again
Will not visit here again
Written March 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
cmbarth1015
Davenport, IA76 contributions
Oct 2021
The waves are calmer here and it's shallow. It was fun to watch kids and dogs playing. There is a sandbar so you can safely get pretty far out. Tons of fish jumping and swimming in the waves. It is a very long walk from the parking lot.
Written October 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
kfsvc78
Springfield, IL79 contributions
Aug 2021
We always go to other side of the gulf, gulf shore, Destin,Pensacola, but lately we are finding it to be crowded and tooo touristy traffic is awful. We have been to Dauphin island before prolly like 8 years ago. I love the place but since it’s an island it is not a hopping place.But during the pandemic it’s a place to be. We rented a house on the beach we just chilled as a family rode our bikes.kayaks,paddle board. It’s not a crowded beach. We luv the place we went to public beach got some shells. We saw dolphins everyday on our kayak .soo close that my son hear them breathe. We had a great time. It’s a little bit more developed than it was but still had a quite serenity to it. You wanna beat the crowds this is it.
Written August 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
mellissayvon
Florence, KY9 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
I never realized the gulf could be ugly but it is here! The sand is pretty but they don’t comb the beach or clean up the seaweed so it’s pretty ugly. The seaweed is so far back on the beach that you cannot even get to the water. It is quiet in the mornings but more crowded than I expected in the afternoons. Next year we will go back to Florida or Mexico but you don’t know until you try.
Written June 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kim
18 contributions
Dec 2020
Spent a whole afternoon walking around and taking pictures, if you walk close to the water you'll find shells, but if you walk closer to the back of the beach (which is really wide), you'll see all the birds in the marsh area. The sand is super white and soft. Plenty of space to spread out and keep to yourselves. A little bit of a walk to get back to the beach from the parking lot.
Written December 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Anne M
Louisville, KY25 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Dauphin Island is cold in the winter & hellishly hot amd humid in summer. It rains a LOT. That quiet about the place is probably because of the weather and a succession of hurricanes. This is NOT a party beach. It's a protected bird sanctuary and Sea Lab campus. That is why some people love ut...
Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Can you take dogs on the beach
Celeste D
29 contributions
They are allowed but they are supposed to be on a leash.
Ashly S
Kansas City, MO71 contributions
What does everyone do for chair and umbrella rentals on the island?
Can I drive a semi truck ( no trailer) to dauphin island?
Amber
Trussville, AL112 contributions
I believe so. Shouldn’t be a problem at all.
Karen C
Soddy Daisy, TN
How are the restaurants on Dauphin island ?
Angie H
Cumming, GA1,044 contributions
Honestly, not a lot to choose from. The best dinner was from Skinner’s Seafood. Order ahead and pick up to take back. Islander’s was good, not great, food. It was packed at dinner so plan to go early or late. Lighthouse bakery was closed while we were there. The biscuits at the gas station were not bad. Miguel’s Baja has great fish tacos. There isn’t a grocery store on the island. Make a stop before you get there.
sophiezora
Kirksville, MO33 contributions
What side of the island has rentals with private beaches?
Kayla S
6 contributions
Im not sure what you mean by private...but the house we rented was right on the beach and the space in front was always available. There is a public beach on the end, but the island is so small that you can walk from the public to the housing areas fairly quickly.
Anna M
1 contribution
Is this a good place to find shells?
Butterflydays
Cape Girardeau, MO1,450 contributions
The west end of beach is best for shelling, but you will need to go right after a storm to find the nicest ones.
Anna M
1 contribution
Is this a good place to find shells?
Mary&Bobontheroad
Friendswood, TX1,251 contributions
Not the best shelling most days. After a storm you may find more shells and ‘treasures’. Having said that, our daughter found two beautiful whole sand dollars on regular morning walks. Good luck!
Where can you public fish
Orchid974
Flowery Branch, GA93 contributions
Right on the beach! My husband caught 2 different types of sharks..other people caught fish. All from the beach
Whitecounty
Steprock, AR14 contributions
Is the shelling good? What kind of shells?
Butterflydays
Cape Girardeau, MO1,450 contributions
Yes. Usually right after a storm, or heavy rains is your best chance to get the nice ones. Sand dollars, starfish, hermit crab to name a few. West end of beach is best for shelling. They also have a lifeguard on duty.
tawnyafitz
Louisiana34 contributions
Is there a public restroom and shower?
Raylene J
Greensboro, NC71 contributions
I don't remember a shower. A public restroom is only on one beach. Portable toilet at others
Frequently Asked Questions about Dauphin Island Public Beach
- Hotels near Dauphin Island Public Beach:
- (0.16 mi) Gulf Breeze Motel
- (0.25 mi) Holiday Isle Resort
- (0.48 mi) Inn at Dauphin Island
- (0.09 mi) Birders paradise!!!!
- (0.57 mi) Dauphin Island Willow Tree Cottage
- Restaurants near Dauphin Island Public Beach:
- (0.08 mi) Islanders Restaurant and Bar
- (0.29 mi) Island Rainbow
- (0.79 mi) Skinner's Seafood
- (0.28 mi) Reel Deal BBQ & Seafood
- (0.93 mi) Lighthouse Bakery