Dauphin Island in Alabama Welcomes Summer Travelers
Alabama's only barrier island is once again welcoming tourists to its shores after having withstood one of the stormiest seasons in its history; and getting there is easier than before, now that the Mobile Bay Ferry has added an extra cruise.
Battered by four hurricanes in 2005, Dauphin Island is rebuilding and, in less than 12 months, will open the largest condominium complex in the tiny island's history. The 144-unit Holiday Isle is slated to open by April 2007. New waterfront condos have opened at Pass Chateau near the marina, and additional units are being built. The Estuarium, an aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Historic Fort Gaines, and the Audubon Bird Sanctuary, all located on the eastern end of the 8-mile-long island, are open and welcoming visitors. The 850-foot public fishing pier is open and the east end pier is under construction. The Dauphin Island Bridge, a three-and-a-half-mile bridge leading to the island from the mainland, was not damaged and is accessible.
The Mobile Bay Ferry has added another daily cruise to its schedule, expanding its hours of operation to 12 hours of service from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Departures start at 8 a.m. from Dauphin Island with crossings to and from Fort Morgan near Gulf Shores. Each crossing takes about 30 minutes. The last cruise of the day departs from Fort Morgan at 7:15 p.m. and returns to Dauphin Island about 7:45 p.m. The one-way fees are: $14 per auto, truck or van with one passenger; $6 for motorcycles; $4 for each additional passenger; $5 for pedestrians; and children under age 12 are admitted free. Motor homes are $29 with one passenger. Captain Neil Shanahan advises RV owners to check with the ferry operators in advance to determine if their RVs can access the ferry, due to low tides changing the angle of the entrance ramp. Payment must be in cash or by check, but Capt. Shanahan said they anticipate accepting credit cards and debit cards by June 1. See www.mobilebayferry.com or dial 251-861-3000.
Available lodging on the island includes rental houses, hotel accommodations, and a bed and breakfast. See www.gulfinfo.com For information on the area's attractions, see the Dauphin Island Park and Beach Board web site at www.dauphinisland.org and Dauphin Island Sea Lab at www.disl.org
Dauphin Island and the Mobile Bay Ferry are listed in the new brochure, "100 Outdoor Adventures in Alabama," produced by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel for the Year of Outdoor Alabama, an awareness campaign by the state tourism office to encourage visitors to experience Alabama's great, outdoor destinations in 2006.
To receive a free copy of the brochure, the Alabama Vacation Guide, Calendar of Events, and a state highway map, contact the Alabama Bureau of Tourism & Travel at www.800Alabama.com or 1-800-ALABAMA.
May 23, 2006
Posted in: United States SouthEast