Dauphin Island Beaches have Willingly Gone to the Dogs
Michael Baxter Tourism Marketing Consultant Houston, Texas 77066 281-222-4775 For many folks the family dog is much more than a pet. It's a companion and a loving member of the family to share life's experiences - experiences such as . . . going to the beach. The powdery, white sand beaches at Dauphin Island, Alabama are known for being the most pet friendly on the Gulf coast. "We love animals here on Dauphin Island," said Mike Henderson, executive director of the Dauphin Island Parks and Beach Board. Dog friendly public beaches have been a major draw of Dauphin Island for many years, and as neighboring destinations have restricted the canine companions, the number of dog loving visitors has steadily increased. "To be perfectly honest, we may be the only dog friendly beach left along this part of the Gulf coast," Henderson said. "I don't believe that you can bring your dog to the beaches at Gulf Shores or Orange Beach anymore, and because of that we are getting more visitors with their dogs than ever before." |
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The public beach near the Red School House and the old fishing pier is the largest area on Dauphin Island set aside for dogs and their owners to romp and play on the sand and in the surf. "There are at least a couple of miles of beach there, and with Sand Island now connected to Dauphin Island, we have another three miles of undeveloped beach jutting out into the Gulf on that barrier island," he said. "The Dauphin Island Campground is a very, very dog friendly location," Henderson said. "There is a public beach connected to the campground that welcomes dogs and their owners year ‘round. In fact, sometimes it appears that our winter Snowbirds average at least two dogs per couple because of our openness toward their pets." Henderson added that he has never witnessed a dog fight at either public beach. "It's like the dogs really enjoy being there and playing together," he said. "Families contact us throughout the year just to say thanks for allowing them to bring their dogs to the beach," he said, "and, word must be spreading because it's amazing the number of dogs our campers are now bringing in." According to Kelby Linn, owner of ACP Realty, there are a large number of rental properties and hotel rooms that accept pets on the Island. "There are around 90 vacation homes here that welcome dogs, normally with a $100.00 non-refundable pet fee per pet," said Linn. "The Gulf Breeze Hotel also has a selection of pet-friendly rooms for vacationers." Though dogs are allowed at Dauphin Island's primary public beach and at the Dauphin Island Campground, pets are not allowed at the West End Beach Park on the Island's extreme west end. Located just 22 miles south of Mobile at the mouth of Mobile Bay, Dauphin Island is Alabama's Family Beach Within Reach ®. For more information, please visit http://www.dauphinislandcoc.com/ or call 251-861-5524. |