Some of the best canoeing and kayaking trails in the country are less than an hour’s drive from Dauphin Island. Mobile, Alabama, located just north of the island, offers plenty of things to do, including endless opportunities for incredible paddling.
Why Paddle in Mobile?
Home to estuarine marshes, cypress swamps, and many other ecosystems, the Mobile-Tensaw Delta is the second largest delta in the country. Unlike most water trails, paddlers don’t merely flow with the river’s current or amble across a lake. There are endless rivers, creeks, and sloughs in the delta that will take you in all directions. No matter how much you paddle, there will always be a new place to explore!
Popular Tours
For the inexperienced paddler, there are numerous tour companies that will plan the day out for you to enjoy the experience stress-free in the company of a local professional guide.
Delta Wildlife Kayak Tours will bring you close to nature. You will watch and learn about a variety of wildlife, from alligators to bald eagles. This is a hands-on tour intended for nature lovers. Guides will also provide plenty of colorful commentary regarding the delta’s local history, geology, ecology, and characters. Tours operate year-round and require reservations in advance. The cost is $59 per adult and $51 per child. No previous paddle experience is required.
Venture into the Bottlenose Dolphin’s natural environment for a chance to see these magnificent creatures up close as part of the Dolphins & Wildlife Kayak Experience. Tours do not guarantee a sighting, but it is still worth the opportunity to witness dolphins playing and showing off! You’ll have the chance to spot other wildlife, including manatees, turtles, and beautiful shorebirds. Tours last hours and operate year-round based on advanced reservations. Private group tours are available for six or more people. The cost is $65 per adult and $52 per child.
Sunshine Canoes offers 3-4 hours scenic tours of the Mobile Tensaw River Delta, along the Bartram Canoe Trail. Learn about the local ecosystem and the beautiful birds and wildlife local to the area. Daily rates for tours are $125, which includes shuttle service, canoes or kayaks, paddles, and life vests.
Alternatively, you can take a guided or unguided trip throughout the blackwater Escatawpa River and its sandbars. There are plenty of great stops for swimming and picnicking along the way. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent, or you can bring your own.
Going Solo?
If you feel like striking out on your own, the Bartram Trails are a paddler’s paradise. The trail offers extensive backwater sloughs, blackwater rivers, lazy lakes, and brackish bays. Take a day trip or plan an overnight adventure on one of the floating platforms, explicitly reserved for canoeists and kayakers.
Perdido River Canoe Trail is another local favorite. It consists of a 19-mile segment along the Perdido River, characterized by gently flowing tannin-stained waters. Numerous sandbars provide perfect spots for resting or lunch breaks. There are two access points along the river, and paddlers can stay overnight in reservable camping shelters or on sandbars in front of the shelters.
Plan Your Dauphin Island Stay!
After a long day of paddling through the Mobile Delta’s backwaters, return to the comfort of your Dauphin Island vacation rental. Beachfront rentals provide private access to the sand and waves. Rentals in sheltered, wooded sections of the island give you many opportunities to interact with nature. After a good night’s rest, you’ll be rejuvenated to return to the delta for more adventures.
Rentals
Wildlife Native Tours offers affordable canoe and kayak rentals if you don’t have your own. Prices range from $40 to $160 for kayaks, depending on how long you are renting and whether it is a single or tandem kayak. For canoes, prices range from $40 for a 4-hour rental to $130 for a week.