If you’ve ever wanted to explore Dauphin Island, you can do it in a day or less while you’re vacationing in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach. It’s a 100-plus-mile drive from the end of Fort Morgan Peninsula (SR 180) at Mobile Point around the bay to Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island (SR 193). But it’s about a four-mile ride across the mouth of Mobile Bay aboard the ferry, and it takes only about 40 minutes.
And while you’re on the ferry, you can feel the bay breeze, watch the coastal birds and maybe even see dolphins jumping in your wake. Your route can’t get much more scenic than that.
During the summer months, the Mobile Bay Ferry operates two boats, the Marissa Mae Nicole and the Fort Morgan, which make round-trip runs between Dauphin Island and Fort Morgan. Most people drive their vehicles onto the ferry, but you can also catch a ride as a pedestrian for just $6 round-trip. (Note that the Fort Morgan has observation decks for its passengers.)
If you take your vehicle aboard the ferry, load it up with the kids, the dog, bikes or whatever you want to bring with you. As you cross the bay, you can stay in your vehicle or get out and look around. The ferry is $18 for cars, trucks and vans, plus $6 a person for anyone over age 6, and there’s a $5 discount if you return on the same day.
Dauphin Island doesn’t have a traffic light (just a three-way stop) or single fast-food restaurant. The wider east end features cottages shaded by tall pine trees, while the west end’s beach houses stand on stilts and face the Gulf of Mexico on one side and the Mississippi Sound on the other.
The island is so small that it has only one town doctor, Dr. Joy Russell, whose office is next door to Mack’n’DD’s Emporium, the gift shop she and her husband own.
History buffs could easily spend a day exploring the historic forts on either side of the bay. Both walking distance from the ferry landings, Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines were pivotal in the Battle of Mobile Bay during the Civil War.
But there’s much more to explore on the 14-mile barrier island, including the aquarium at Dauphin Island Sea Lab, which reopens June 2 with a few changes because of Covid-19. Check the website for details before you go.
It’s a perfect place for bike-riding, with a trail that begins on the east end, where the ferry landing is located, and continues all the way to the public beach at the west end.
The Audubon Bird Sanctuary, also at the east end, has a three-mile trail within its 137 acres of maritime forest, marshes and dunes. The island has been named one of the top four locations in North America for viewing bird migrations in the springtime. In fact, every year, fourth-graders at Dauphin Island Elementary receive complimentary binoculars to encourage their bird-watching.
Pirates Bar and Grill, located in the mid-century modern former Isle Dauphine Country Club, has good food and a beautiful view of the Gulf. There’s also a saltwater swimming pool ($6 per day for adults and $4 for children) and cabana bar where you can cool off for a nominal fee, as well as beach access.
Other favorite eateries on the island include the purple restaurant at the ferry dock, BGH Café, a favorite of at least one town council member; Island Rainbow, where local kids gather for ice cream and pizza; and the Lighthouse Bakery, which attracts visitors from all over for homemade cinnamon rolls and other treats as well as crabmeat omelettes on Sundays.
Mobile Bay Ferry offers frequent updates on its website as well as Facebook and Twitter, so be sure to look there before you make plans for a trip. Sometimes you might have to wait as long as a couple of hours to board the ferry, so relax and be patient. After all, you’re on island time now – or you’re about to be, anyway.