West End Public Beach — Attraction in Dauphin Island

I love this beach for many reasons, sadly most of them are for fishing purposes! I'm not really into the whole laying out and running stuff, I'm too much of an explorer for that. So I just get my sunshine whilst I'm wandering or with a rod in my hand! Now if you wanna know about the fishing forecast, I can help you out there. We are usually on the West end nightly or bi-nightly or at the very least weekly. We catch anything from Ladyfish to Redfish, Hardhead Catfish, White Trout, Speckled Trout, Bluefish(not usually at night), Spanish Mackerel(not usually at night), Sheepshead(Not usually at night though), Pompano(not at night usually), the occasional Permit, lots of different bait fish, and sand fleas for bait as well. We've caught a Great hammerheads or 2 over the years, a bonnethead hammerhead, Bullshark, Spinner shark, Blacktip and I'm sure I'm missing some others. Ohh we've caught stingrays, several different types of flounder, Slippery Dicks, and many many more. If you're interested in fishing, this is the place for you. However, I will give you a word of advice as well, If you're not a saltwater fisherman that's got some experience behind them, you might not have the best luck. It takes some skill and some practice and thinking like a fish, among other things, if you plan to snag your PB fish. But don't give up and keep coming back armed each time with more advice and some new fishing tricks and in no time you'll get that PB fish. *AND PLEASE, EVERYONE PLEASE, when you come down or up here to enjoy our beaches, please for the love of ALL that is holy and righteous and pure..... PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ANYTHING BEHIND ON THE BEACHES, PARKING LOTS, CAMP GROUNDS, AND ANY WHERE ELSE YOU ALL MIGHT GO EXCEPT FOR FOOT PRINTS!!!! WE TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN OUR LITTLE PIECE OF HAPPINESS THAT WE CALL DAUPHIN ISLAND, AND WE WANT IT TO BE SOMETHING OUR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN'S CHILDREN'S CHILDREN WILL BE PROUD OF AND TAKE PRIDE IN ALSO! PLEASE HELP US KEEP IT THAT WAY AND ALWAYS LIVE BY THE RULE TO LEAVE IT BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT!!!!! It won't cost you a single penny to pick up a couple of items of trash that you see along your visit and just place them in the proper locations to be sent to the dumps. We can all make a difference, one step at a time.

Sorry it's so long but I've really got a lot to say about this subject right here. Be safe, see y'all...

I have never seen so much garbage and trash on a beach anywhere in my life and I have traveled extensively all over the globe and to every state in this country. Alabama should be ashamed and so should people in general who throw their garbage in the ocean and leave it on the beach! How would you like it if someone came in and threw garbage all in your house and piled it up everywhere. The sad thing is Daulphin Island has a mayor and a city council and they don't seem to care, nor do the residents, about any sort of environmental issues whatsoever. It's such a stark contrast to the way people feeling think in Baldwin County on the other side of the bay. Perfect example: a half a dozen different trash pickup companies are driving out to the island from Mobile every week, 1 to 2 times a week. If the mayor and city council would organize to contract for a single trash company it would not only save residents money for trash pickup, but it also would cut down on environmental pollution because there wouldn't be so many different companies sending big trash trucks out constantly to pick up garbage on the island. But that seems to be the attitude of Island now, they just don't care, about the appearance of the island, the trash everywhere, or the environment. I was appalled to find there's not even a single recycle bin anywhere on the island even though it's inevitable that all the tourists are going to be hauling in plastic bottles, which then, of course, end up on...

Nice, family friendly beach at the far West End of Dauphin Island. Public parking is available, as well as air conditioned bathrooms and concessions during the summer months. (Note: There is a per vehicle and per person charge during the day when bathrooms and concessions are available.) The West End Beach often hosts family friendly events like movie night on the beach or sunset concerts.

From the parking area, you can easily access either the gulf side beach, or the sound side beach where waters are calmer. Sound side is usually better for smaller children or those less experienced swimmers. Definitely bring bug spray if coming to beach events near sunset or after dark. If the breeze is blowing it isn’t that much of an issue, but if it’s a still night, expect plenty of mosquitos, gnats, and no-seeums. There is now a wheelchair friendly mat/track that runs from the parking area to the gulf side beach front area. Outside showers are available for use in this same area.

Homeowners on the West End Beach are encouraged to turn off exterior lights at night, since sea turtles often lay eggs on the gulf side beach. This makes it excellent for star gazing on clear nights. Definitely worth checking out if you’re...