beachtown: a location near a beach where sun, sand, sea and fun can be found!
Dauphin Island
Alabama
USA
Looking south towards Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island, Alabama
Dauphin Island is home to Fort Gaines, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, The Estuarium public aquarium, several restaurants, an airport, boat ramps, a large public pier, new condominium developments, historics sites, and numerous private homes. Beaches attract tourism, and fishing is a popular activity in the waters around the island. The island is connected to the mainland by the Gordon Persons Bridge. Although the island has several bird sanctuaries, the main one is the Audubon Bird Sanctuary. Dauphin Island is the first landfall encountered by many birds as they migrate north from South America, and as a consequence many species can be found resting there before continuing their journey. A ferry from nearby Fort Morgan in Gulf Shores brings both vehicles and pedestrians to the island. One of the closest attractions to the ferry dock is The Estuarium, a fresh- and saltwater aquarium highlighting species native to Alabama. Many tourists also visit the island because of the rich history. The aforementioned Fort Gaines offers daily reenactments and tours of the fort.
General Location: Alabama is the thirtieth largest state in the United States with 52,423 square miles (135,775 km2) of total area: 3.19% of the area is water, making Alabama twenty-third in the amount of surface water, also giving it the second largest inland waterway system in the United States. About three-fifths of the land area is a gentle plain with a general descent towards the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico.
The Dauphin Island Bridge from the mainland south of Mobile, across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and down to Dauphin Island.
Destination Dauphin Island Alabama from the Chamber of Commerce
Local Motto or Saying: "We Dare Defend Our Rights"
