Dauphin Island Beach
Dauphin Island, AL
A barrier island community where the public beach at the west end stays noticeably quieter than the mainland resorts, with a bird sanctuary and boardwalk trail through the dunes just behind it. Locals have been coming here for generations, and the pace of the island has stayed slow on purpose.
The bird sanctuary boardwalk is worth the short walk even if you're mainly here for the beach.
More Gulf Coast beaches
Siesta Key Beach
Siesta Key, FL · Gulf Coast
Fine quartz sand that stays cool underfoot even in summer, sloping gently into calm Gulf water, and consistently rated among the best family beaches in the country.
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A lively Gulf-front strip with a fishing pier, a nightly sunset celebration at Pier 60, and calm, shallow water that makes it an easy family favorite.
Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach, FL · Gulf Coast
Sugar-white sand within the Gulf Islands National Seashore, with dunes protected from development and water clear enough for snorkeling near the jetties.