Dauphin Island Marina
How to Find Dauphin Island Marina
|
(Driving time is approximate time)
|
|
| Dauphin Island, AL is accessable from I-10 using exit 17, state hwy 193 to the South. Driving, one will encounter two stop signs for the 23 mile trek to the Island. After crossing the 3 and 1/3 mile long Dauphin Island Bridge, the Dauphin Island Marina is on your left. |
| Accessing Dauphin Island Marina from the west. |
Hello,
Following represents "local knowledge" of the area of Dauphin Island, Alabama and is "Not intended for navigation." The DI Marina is a convenient stop-over and easy to access. My description is detailed in an effort to make it easy for our guests and visitors.
Traveling the Intracoastal Waterway, west of the large Dauphin Island Bridge (Vertical clearance 83 ft) between Red daymarkers "22" and "20" - on the south side of the channel, one will find a multicolor daymarker identified as "BA." Green and Red..
This is approx. at the 124 mile point on the Intracoastal. Pass the "BA" marker on the west side and make a heading of approx. 122 degrees. The channel is clearly marked, red on right. Depth 6 + feet. The charts identify the area as Bayou Aloe. Proceed to green marker "5," about 2 & 1/2 st. miles from the Intracoastal. One will see a medium sized Exxon/Mobile natural gas platform 100 yards on the other side of "5." Pass "5" on the north side and take a heading of approx. 95 degrees. The depth at winter low tide is approx. 3 & 1/2 feet. Go slow and use care staying in this channel. The bottom is soft mud with oyster shells. This portion of the channel is not marked very clearly. Aim for the highest point of the small hump of the bridge. Looking carefully, one can see two red daymarkers and two green daymarkers. These markers are close to the bridge. Keeping the red on starboard (the drivers' right) and, of course, green on port side, head for the highest span off your bow. The navigable span of the bridge is identified of two red lights, one on either side of the desired channel, and one green, center of the desired channel. Vertical clearance of this portion of the bridge is approx. 25 ft. Having cleared the bridge, inbound, one will find a green daymarker on your bow. Swing to the starboard and make a heading for the fuel dock. Use caution when approaching the marina area. On the inbound vessel's port side is a sunken barge with a danger marker. West of the marker is perfectly safe and this represents the entrance of the marina. The fuel dock is the first pier visible and the harbor master's office is in the tall three story building. The marina staff monitors ch. 16.
If you are traveling East or West, this is a good overnight stop. One can continue your trip by proceeding without backtracking. Check out our description on the web site by selecting "From the East".
Have a great stay on Dauphin Island, and try the gumbo!
Capt. Jim Hall - May 1, 2002 |
Click Image to Enlarge |
| Accessing Dauphin Island Marina from the east. |
Click Image to Enlarge |
Hello,
Following represents "local knowledge" of the area of Dauphin Island, Alabama and is "Not intended for navagation." The DI Marina is a convenient stop-over and easy to access. My description is detailed in an effort to make it easy for our guests and visitors.
When approaching Dauphin Island from the east, steer a heading which will take you to 30.15.280 N and 088.03.379 W. This is the approx. location of the Exxon/Mobil twin Platforms 76 and 76 Aux. Pass the platform to the north and follow the marked channel (red on right) into a small harbor called Billy Goat Hole. One will pass Fort Gaines on the eastern end of the Island, the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue Station, and the Bar Pilot's station. Follow the canal to the northwest. At the end of the canal, navigational markers (red on right) will follow the seawall and guide your vessel to the Dauphin Island Marina. The channel in Little Dauphin Bay is narrow. Larger boats cannot leave the channel. The depth of the channel is 6 ft., but at low tide can allow clearance of approx. 4 ft. in some places. The bottom is sand in the cut and soft mud in the bay, with oyster shells. This is one of those interesting points on charts when approaching the DI Marina, the Red is on Right when Returning from Sea - on both the west side and the east side. The Marina is the point of reference change! When entering the Marina, the fuel dock is the first pier visible as the last pier to the west and the harbor master's office is in the tall three story building. The marina staff monitors ch. 16.
If you are traveling East or West, this is a good overnight stop. One can continue your trip by proceeding without backtracking. Check out our description on the web site by selecting "From the West".
Have a great stay on Dauphin Island, and try the gumbo!
Capt. Jim Hall - May 1, 2003 |
|
)
)
