Dauphin Island was originally settled in the early 1700s due to its abundant timber, fresh water, and great harbor. However over the next century the island changed hands between France, Great Britain and Spain when it was realized that it was an ideal defense post.
Today the island is an Audubon bird sanctuary with walking trails open to the public and it has become known as an important site for bird migration.
The freshwater lake offers many recreational opportunities such as swimming, fishing and relaxing on the beaches.
The Dauphin Island Sea Lab promotes education of the general public through the public aquarium. The four key habitats of coastal Alabama are highlighted in the Estuarium: the Mobile Tensaw River Delta, Mobile Bay, the Barrier Islands and the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Interactive exhibits showcase the plants, animals, and other natural resources along with an interactive boat exhibit and a real time Weather Station.
Address: Dauphin Island Sea Lab, 101 Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island, AL 36528, United States
Phone: 1 (251) 861-2141, Fax: 1 (251) 861-4646
Hours:
March 1 to August 31: 9am-6pm; Sun:12pm-6pm
September 1 to February 28: 9am-5pm; Sun:1pm-5pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25), New Year's Eve (December 31), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24), Easter - Christian
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Fort Gaines is located on Dauphin Island, a location that changed control from France to Great Britain and then to Spain eventually stopping with the United States seizing control in 1813. Fort Gaines was completed in 1861 and played a major role in the Battle of Mobile Bay.
The fort was used in WW I was an artillery garrison and in WW II as a US Coast Guard station.
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Dauphin Island
