Summer Escape – Coastal Condos on the Marsh 5A

Summary:
These charming coastal condos are located on the East End of the quaint town of Dauphin Island, Alabama’s beautiful barrier island situated just off the renowned Gulf Coast. This newly renovated condominium offers the perfect lodging for families, fishermen and snowbirds looking to unwind and enjoy miles of white sandy beaches, fresh Gulf Coast seafood and world-class deep sea fishing and diving.

The Space:
In 2019, Alvarado underwent a complete renovation where the condo was stripped down to its bones and redesigned with stylish finishes and décor that echoed the natural elements of the island. The condo is now adorned with shiplap in every room, a main staple in seaside design, and is decorated with coastal-inspired furniture, art and accents in the living rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms. Each kitchen has stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and a fully stocked kitchen for guests looking to cook up their fresh catch of the day for dinner.

The two nautical bedrooms offer guests with a calm retreat to recharge at the end of a long day on the water. The master bedroom has a queen sized bed with coastal bedding and décor, and the bunk room has a bunk bed with a twin on the top, a full on the bottom, and a space-saving trundle that can be easily rolled away when not in use.

Alvarado offers vacationers partial views of Mobile Bay, and sits in the ideal location for people looking for convenient access to the East End. Out back you can catch a glimpse of the boats heading back in for the day with their catch in tow.

Guest Access:
This unit is located on the bottom left of the condo building. Guests have access to a private patio area with an outdoor table and chairs. There is also a charcoal grill that guests can use to cook up their fresh catch. Parking is available directly in front of the condos. We supply a drip coffee pot and there are there are two beach chairs per unit in a closet underneath the front steps. It’s about a 3 min drive to the closest public beach access.There is a Greer’s grocery store you pass on the way to the island and a Dollar General to buy beach supplies.

The Neighborhood:
The 164-acre Audubon Bird Sanctuary is less than a 10-minute walk (.3 miles) from the steps of Alvarado. The sanctuary is a well-known destination for birdwatchers in search of one of the hundreds of species that live in and migrate through the sanctuary year-round, such as herons and pelicans. Visitors can take a walking tour though the palmetto palms where they can experience the birds in the lush native flora and fauna of the island.

The Mobile Bay Ferry is located just around the corner from Alvarado, just a 2-mintue drive or a 7-minute walk (.4 miles). The ferry, which departs every hour and a half during the day, transports passengers to the historic Fort Morgan located in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Just past the ferry is a popular boat launch on the island, where anglers launch their boats sunrise to sundown. Boat trailer parking for the boat launch can be tricky, especially during summer months, so Alvarado’s close proximity to the launch makes it an ideal location for anglers because of the extended boat parking offered to guests. Each unit can accommodate one boat trailer in addition to their parking.

The Dauphin Island Estuarium, an aquarium that is home to more than 100 different species of native Alabama marine life, and the historic Fort Gaines, where you can find guided tours of the 1821 fort that protected Mobile Bay during the Civil War, are both located within one mile of the property as well. There are three public beaches on Dauphin Island — the East End Public Beach, Bienville Beach and the West End Public Beach. The closest beach access to Alvarado is the East End Beach, which a little more than a mile away from Alvarado past Fort Gaines (a 5-minute drive or 20-minute walk).

With the almost dozen restaurants and snack bars on the island, there’s no shortage of local fare and fresh seafood. Almost every menu on the island serves up the freshest seafood in the South, including freshly caught snapper, grouper, oysters and crab. During the summer there are outdoor movies shown on the West End of the island, and the Dauphin Island Fishing Rodeo during July brings more than 75,000 spectators to the island for a weekend of fun and sports fishing.

Even though the island is small (it’s only 14 miles long and less than 2 miles wide or less, in some areas), it offers an endless amount of activities for vacationers, including an 18-hole golf course and endless water activities. Boat, jet ski, stand-up-paddleboard and kayak rentals are available, as well as sunset cruises and beach access to most of the 17 miles of powder, white sand beaches that wrap around the island. These offerings, in addition to deep-sea fishing and diving, make this Gulf Coast sanctuary one of the top destinations for those looking to escape the crowds and enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the Gulf.

We hope you enjoy your stay at Alvarado and enjoy exploring the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast during your visit!

Getting Around:
Because of the ideal location of the property on the East End, guests can take a quick drive or easily bike or walk to nearby attractions and restaurants. Although there is no public transportation, there are miles of walking and biking trails around the island that makes getting around a breeze. Bikes and golf carts are available to rent on the island!

Other Things to Note:
This house is located about a mile away from the East beach public beach access. Early check ins probably won’t be possible during the spring and summer. We stay booked up and check out time is 11 am and it takes them until 3 pm to get the place clean and ready for you! Must be 21 to book without a parent present. Pets: No cats allowed! Dogs are allowed with a $100 fee per dog. There is a maximum of two dogs no larger than 75 pounds each. Dogs who are categorized as "dangerous" or "aggressive" according the ASPCA are not allowed. Please let us know if you're bringing your furry friend so we can add the appropriate pet fee, as the Airbnb website does not have a spot for us to add the fee. The fee will be added to the cost of your nightly charge. Guests must keep dogs on a leash when outdoors, and clean up after their pets. Guests who bring a dog without notification could face penalty.

Noise: This is a bottom-level condo, which is one of four units in the two-story condo building. There is a possibility of noise from neighboring guests above you and next door to you as well.

Interaction with Guests:
If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact our hosts through the app or booking site message thread and either Karin or Meg will be available to assist you with any needs during your stay!