Perched at the uninhabited western tip of Dauphin Island, you’ll find iconic 10-mile long West End Beach. It is simply beautiful. You can walk for miles and only see empty beach, a few foxes and crabs in the sand. Dauphin Island Beach Rentals is a perfect choice for your island escape.
The beach is clean and you’ll find clear water to walk in and shells galore. The waves are calm here and the water is shallow. There is a sandbar that allows you to walk safely some distance. Fish and dolphins are often seen jumping in the water.
There’s a walk from the parking to the beach. So, be sure to pack everything including walking shoes, an umbrella, sunscreen, towels, chairs.
West End Beach in Summer.
West End Beach concessions are open during the summer season from June thru Labor Day. The entrance fee for visitors is $3 per person age 13 and above, plus a $3 parking fee.
West End Beach amenities include restrooms, a food vendor, and a chair rental concession.
Summer opening hours are 8 am to 6 pm, weather permitting. Each month, on one Sunday, a “Sunset Concert” is held. On those days, starting 90 minutes before the concert, the admission fee changes to $5 per person.
Note that Dauphin Island West End Beach officially closes for the summer season on Labor Day. Thereafter, there is no parking or admission fee, but the rules must still be followed.
HIking at West End Beach.
Beach hiking is available at West End Beach too, starting at the parking lot and heading towards the westernmost end of the island. The terrain is varied from soft to hard sand. On this beautiful picturesque hike, be sure to pack food and water and know that there are no facilities.
Rules at West End Beach.
There is no lifeguard on duty, so you must swim at your own risk.
There are no pets, glass, grills, fires, or overnight camping allowed.
Jenifer Koehler says
Can you get to west end beach beyond the entrance in a pontoon boat?
Adam says
Yes, from the Bay Side, just travel West and keep going. You can beach or anchor a boat anywhere along the way. You will see a strip of land with rift raft (large rock), this is the “Katrina Cut” (the island was cut in half during that storm, the Corp Engineers repaired the cut with that rock). Many boats go just beyond that and find an isolated piece of beach to enjoy.