Make a trip out to the Alabama Gulf Coast and find a peaceful southern town with plenty of great activities for kids and adults. The rich culture, the history, and the gorgeous views attract quite a number of visitors every year, and plentiful places to kayak around Dauphin Island await.
The natural beauty here is breathtaking, and what better way to fully appreciate it than kayaking? It will get you up close to the diverse ecological habitats through the many inlets and bays around the island.
While kayaking, you’ll have a chance to see some of the numerous local and migratory bird species that make the island their home, as well as dolphins, sea turtles and other marine wildlife.
We have listed some top guided and unguided tour and rental options for you to take your family kayaking on your Alabama beach vacation.
Kayak & Bicycle Rentals
As the top option on the Island, Dauphin Island Kayak & Bicycle Rentals provides you with guided and unguided kayak tours around several areas and waterways that are ideal for kayaking. The tours are open to people of all ages and are available throughout the day.
If you truly want to experience the best kayaking the island has to offer, this tour provider is all you need! The tour guides are extra helpful and give you insight about history and the best kayak and tourist hotspots; it is well worth the money!
If you want to stick to self-guided kayaking around the bay, they offer rentals around the clock. They also conveniently deliver right to your Dauphin Island vacation rentals on the beach if you want to rent some kayaks for the day, and they offer great prices.
Dauphin Island Marina’s Kayak Shack
The Dauphin Island Marina doesn’t just specialize in your standard marina services, they also offer both kayak rentals and purchases at reasonable prices.
As a favorite rental provider for self-guided kayak tours; the Marina Kayak Shack will cover all your needs for solo or tandem high quality and stable kayaks. You can rent the kayaks for 2 hours, 4 hours or a full day to paddle throughout the island’s many gorgeous inlets and bays.
Launching Your Kayak and Where to Kayak
Bayou Heron Park is located on West Cadillac Avenue and Penalver Street and offers a new launch to kayak in the relatively calm waters that lead to Lafitte Bay and Graveline Bay.
However, there are plenty of other beaches calm shore areas that are shallow enough to launch your kayak from. The Isle Dauphin Country Club is another popular area to launch kayaks from on the southern end of the island.
Before you head out solo, keep in mind that some of the waters around Dauphin Island can be challenging, with rapid weather changes, choppy waters, and windy conditions, especially off the southern shore.
Offshore sea kayaking here can be an incredible adventure, but it is recommended for experienced kayakers unless you are on a guided tour. It’s also a good to kayak closer to shore on the northern end of the island, if you aren’t very experienced.
Skilled sea kayakers can find plenty of incredible and challenging adventures to choose from, including kayaking from Dauphin Island to Fort Morgan, Sand Island, or even the 11-mile trek from the Bayou la Batre boat launch.
The spring and summer are often ideal for kayaking as the weather is warmer, while it can be windier in the winter with colder water.
What Else to Try on Vacation
You can have a thrilling time or a relaxing Dauphin Island vacation. Feel the Gulf waters, take in the unspoiled views, and see the friendly dolphins, sea turtles, huge array of bird species and other wildlife.
There’s also no better spot to view the famous sunsets of Dauphin Island. When you start to get worn out, you can head back to your condo, beach house or one of the many amazing local cafés and restaurants that are always nearby.
Kayaking is just one of the many outdoor thrills our island has to offer. The area is a big draw for fishermen and even boasts Alabama’s largest fishing rodeo.
Are you dreaming about your beach vacation? Start planning your trip and find the perfect Dauphin Island vacation rental for you: