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As Florida hotels begin to fill up for March and April as Spring Breakers prepare to flock the Sunshine State’s Caribbean-like shores, Alabama makes for a great alternative with Gulf Shores leading the way.
With the popular beach town’s airport now beginning to offer commercial flights for the first time ever, it’s expected many travelers will take advantage to avoid Florida’s crowds, but this will surely create more crowds here as well.
The good news is Alabama’s coastline is among the most underrated in the nation with other idyllic hideaways such as Orange Beach and Fairhope hidden in plain sight.
Venturing a little deeper on the flip side of Mobile Bay lies a gleaming white-sand island, undoubtedly Alabama’s top hidden gem for your next beach vacation.
Alabama‘s ‘Sunset Capital’
The barrier island of Dauphin Island, not to be confused with how my niece pronounces “dolphin”, lies a few miles south of Mobile Bay along the Gulf of…America?
This scenic spot consists mostly of locals who wave goodbye to the hordes of vacationers in Gulf Shores in favor of this secret slice of paradise lined with bright white sand beaches along crystal blue waters crashing ashore.
According to Southern Living, Dauphin Island is the ‘Sunset Capital’ of Alabama. Whether it be lounging along Dauphin Island Public Beach, mingling with locals at the Dauphin Marina, or booking a boat tour, one thing you can’t miss is witnessing this cozy town of 2,000 residents illuminate orange come sundown.
The island reaches peak levels of visitors during summer, so spring is an excellent time to visit with splendid temps between 68 – 81 °F from March to May.
Wide-Open Beaches & Waterfront Cottages
Given how Dauphin Island is a beautiful well-kept secret, the results are wide open spaces from the “action” of town to the far-end West End Beach, where visitors will find bright white sugary sand.
Just south of the island is yet another remote retreat, Pelican Peninsula, holding a near-perfect 4.8 Google rating, where one recent visitor hinted, “A must visit early in the morning is the best”.
But the most popular of the island is the aforementioned Dauphin Island Public Beach and the easiest to reach.
The town’s often overlooked parks shouldn’t be missed either, whether it’s the staggering oak trees of Cadillac Square or tranquil kayaking explorations of Aloe Bay.
While you may find towering ritzy condos in Gulf Shores, Dauphin Island is more about down-home charm with plentiful cozy stays along the beach.
You’ll find numerous cottages and bed & breakfasts along the Gulf, such as Whale of a Tale, Inn at Dauphin Island, and Dauphin Island Harbor House.
The food scene is nothing to sleep on either with incredible seafood selections anchoring extensive menus — all authentic Mom n’ Pop style eateries like Pirate’s Bar & Grill; no eyesore chains in sight.
Dauphin Island’s Fascinating Historical Attractions
The South comes with the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to its deeply-rooted history.
Yes, some areas proudly boast Rebel Flags, while other delightful towns couldn’t be more welcoming, and that’s the category Dauphin Island belongs.
People couldn’t be more welcoming and seem to truly love their hidden beach town and proudly showcase some fascinating historical attractions ranging from archaeological sites to significant Civil War sites.
Fort Gaines is open to the public and offers sweeping views of the bay and Gulf. Guests can book an insightful tour of the well-preserved grounds of one of the most important sites of the Battle of Mobile Bay, where you can still see original cannons, tunnels, living quarters, and various remnants housed in the museum.
Another cool spot and unlike any other in the region is Indian Shell Mound Park. This archaeological site is home to prehistoric shell mounds, ancient trees, and some of the best hikes of Dauphin Island.
This indigenous site served Native communities centuries ago and still holds up today with leftover mounds of oyster shells to get a glimpse into the past of former ways of life.
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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