Alabama: Dauphin Island & Mobile Bay Ferry

November 2018

We learned about Mobile Bay Ferry when we were deciding upon our route to Orange Beach, Alabama from Mobile, Alabama. Since we had previously traveled around the top of the bay, and also visited USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, we decided to take the ferry from Dauphin Island across this time. We always like to try new things! Taking the ferry added less than ½ hour to our travel time.

Bridge to Dauphin Island

Dauphin Island 

Getting to Dauphin Island from Mobile was easy. The traffic was minimal, and the drive was less than 45 minutes from the Renaissance Riverview in Mobile. The island is not very big, and we walked around for a bit after we paid and parked for the next ferry departure. There is a paved trail, which goes as far as Fort Gaines at the east end, and almost to West End Public Beach at the opposite end of the island. There is a bicycle lane for a short distance where the paved trail ends before the beach.

Entrance to Fort Gaines

A private campground is located near the ferry dock, and there is a short trail across from the campground on the north side of Bienville Rd. called Magnolia Park. I was surprised there were not any businesses or tourist type shops near the ferry dock.

View of Dauphin Island dock

Mobile Bay Ferry

The signs for the ferry were highly visible. We stopped at the booth for information, and the agent said that if we wanted to pay and line up our car, we could do that and get out, as long as we were back to our vehicle 15 minutes before departure. It was about ½ hour before the next departure, so we paid and parked the car before exploring. The cost for our vehicle with a passenger was $21. The driver is included in the initial vehicle cost ($16 for a car), and it was $5 more for the passenger. There is a small walkway and viewing platform at the ferry dock. There are also restrooms and a window snack shop. The photo above was taken from the walkway outside the restrooms.

Two viewing platforms; one on each side.
Photo taken before departure.

About 5 minutes before departure, a staff member directed vehicles on board the ferry. Each passenger drove his or her own vehicle. During the trip, a few people remained in their vehicle, although most people turned their vehicle off, and walked around on the ferry for a better view.

Departing Dauphin Island.

It was calm and sunny the day we went across, and the trip took about 35 minutes. The ferry arrives in Fort Morgan near the historic site. We thought about visiting Fort Morgan, and decided to hike Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge instead (we did not have time to visit both). I will share photos and information from that hike in my next post.

View of Mobile Bay from Mobile Bay Ferry.

Let me know if you have any questions!