Its proximity to the Mississippi River and Mobile Bay makes snorkeling in Dauphin Island difficult given the low visibility, and folks should consider going east to Gulf Shores or Orange Beach, or even Florida, for any underwater activities.
The Mississippi-Alabama barrier islands provide some of the best landscapes to view amazing sunsets across the Southeast United States. The biggest, and the only populated among them, is Dauphin Island, which is off the southern coast of Alabama at the mouth of Mobile Bay. The island is a sanctuary for birds and prime for fishing activities. The two main beaches here cost money but they are clean, secluded, and well worth the money. There are the right ingredients here to provide a fantastic vacation for anybody seeking some sun.
But its proximity to the Mississippi Sound, where the mighty Mississippi River empties out to after its long traverse has an impact on the waters nearby. All the sediments carried on the Mississippi are released into the Sound, in addition, all the sediments carried on the Mobile River across the Southeast are released into the Mobile Bay. The confluence of these two forces creates a very murky water, making snorkeling in Dauphin Island underwhelming. It would be best to pursue other activities during your time on this barrier island.
Dauphin Island Snorkeling Profile:
- Water Visibility: Poor. The Mississippi River flows out to the Mississippi Sound just west of Dauphin Island and stirs up the whole area murky.
- Current Strength: Minimal. The waves on this part of the Gulf Coast are pretty mellow and you won’t see much, if any, surfing or wind-based aquatic activities here.
- Coral Presence: None.
- Marine Life: Not much around the shore.
- Crowd: Surprisingly quiet. Most folks tend to gravitate towards Gulf Shores so there will be days when the beach is near empty.
Getting There
Closest Major Airports: Mobile Regional Airport (Mobile, AL) – 35 miles away, 40 minute drive
- The nearest airport to Dauphin Island is Mobile Regional Airport, which is about forty minutes north. The airport is very small and only has connections to the Big Three airline hubs: Charlotte, Atlanta, and Houston. You will have to drive all the way to Gulfport in the west or to Pensacola in the east, both longer than an hour drive, if you are seeking other flight options. While lacking, it does do the minimum for visitors to get to the area.
Closest Major Metro Area: Mobile, AL
- Mobile is the fourth-largest city in Alabama, and a key port city in the southeast. The city does not have a very vibrant tourism industry, with the most notable attraction the USS Alabama Memorial Park, which does house a very impressive museum filled with military history. Aside from that, it’s only best to utilize the city as a portal for transportation rather than a stop in your itinerary.
Recommended Method of Transportation to Destination: Fly into Mobile Regional Airport and Drive to Dauphin Island.
- Due to its somewhat isolated location, the best way to get to Dauphin Island is to take the most straightforward option. Fly into Mobile, rent a car, and then drive down to Dauphin Island. Rideshare will be tough, so best to rent a car.
Introduction
Dauphin Island has been home to Native Americans for more than a millennia, as shown by the Indian Shell Mound Park on the northern end of the island. Post-European settlement, it has served as an important trading outpost and a garrison throughout history due to its strategic location. The island initially was a major lumber and fur trading center. Once Mobile Bay was dredged to allow ships to anchor, Dauphin Island became a military importance with Fort Gaines in the eastern end of the island, best known for its role in the Battle of Mobile Bay.
Due to its location on the southern tip of Alabama, Dauphin Island is an important stopover for migrating birds flying north from South America. The Audobon Bird Sanctuary in the most well-known bird sanctuary on the island, where you can observe a wide variety of bird species in the their natural habitat. In addition, the Aquarium at Dauphin Island Sea Lab next to the sanctuary is an interactive, enriching aquarium that displays the marine ecosystem in Alabama.
Dauphin Island is a narrow, elongated island measuring 15 miles from east to west. All the development is on the east end, and the west end of the island is all beach which is accessible for a fee. Almost all of the island’s southern coast facing the Gulf of Mexico is sandy beaches. The currents here are generally weak, so swimming should be fine even for kids, especially on Dauphin Beach by the Pelican Cove. But despite miles of sunshine and sand, the low water visibility means snorkeling in Dauphin Island should be avoided.
How is Snorkeling in Dauphin Island?
Despite the abundance of beautiful beaches, marine life, and wildlife, the lack of clarity in the waters make it unsuitable for snorkeling in Dauphin Island. The waters are calm enough to dip your head into the waters, but there will be very little to see if any. If you are looking to go snorkeling anywhere around, just few miles east should yield much better results. The Gulf of Mexico currents near the shore flow counter-clockwise, so the sediments from the Mississippi River only get around the Sound and not much further. Waters along the Florida state line should look much more clearer and glossier.
Final Word:
Dauphin Island is a fascinating place with gorgeous beaches and interesting activities, especially its famous bird sanctuaries, for everyone to enjoy. Unfortunately, the area is just too close to the Mississippi Sound to have great water visibility. Therefore, snorkeling in Dauphin Island is likely to be a disappointment. But don’t let that stop you from having a wonderful time in this amazing barrier island. Just put your toes in the sand, lie down, and take in all that sun in these amazing beaches!
Snorkeling in Dauphin Island Rating: 1/5 Snorkels – Yuck, Stay Away!
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