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Dauphin Island-Pelican Bay

Lat / Lon: N 30° 14.545' / W 088° 07.031'
Depth: 10-12 feet
Description: Leave the main ship channel at green "15" and navigate past the shoals at Pelican Island, which has become more of a peninsula, then into the smaller bay/lagoon

5.00

(5)

5.00 out of 5 stars

Holding:

5.00

Good

Wind Protection:

3.60

All around

Current Flow:

4.00

Wake Protection:

4.80

Scenic Beauty:

5.00

Ease of Shopping:

2.80

Shore Access:

4.80

Pet Friendly:

5.00

Cell Service:

4.40

WiFi:

1.00

Review for Dauphin Island-Pelican Bay

Reviewed by: Cherie on Dec 19, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
Draft: 0.0'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

2

Current Flow:

2

Wake Protection:

5

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

3

Shore Access:

4

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

1

We loved this anchorage for its pristine beauty and long stretches of sugar sand beach walks. Easy dinghy to the restaurant or shore but not much more within walking distance. Be cautious on arrival for depths and shoaling.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Dauphin Island-Pelican Bay

Reviewed by: Don Pickering, Gemini, on Jun 7, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 55'
Draft: 4.0'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

5

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

4

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

4

This is a great anchorage. Well protected from the waves of the open Gulf with sandy beaches all around you. No wind protection. Anchored for 2 nights anchor held tight through multiple small fast moving storms. Beautiful sunsets.
Be cautious of the Pelican reef when coming in.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Dauphin Island-Pelican Bay

Reviewed by: Gary Bellis on Oct 18, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 36'
Draft: 4.5'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

3

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

4

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

2

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

5

WiFi:

1

Came in from East crossing Mobile ship channel N of markers 19 and 20 and N of Mobile Channel C Front Range Light with depth of 9+'. Stayed south of Dauphin Island Spit then turned to approx 285 deg toward ADCNR Pelican Bay Special Lights with good depth of 12 to 15' along here. These ADCNR markers are not all there but stay south of but close to these. There's shallow water a couple hundred yards further south of these along the north side of Pelican Peninsula. Anchorage is very well protected from waves with barriers all the way around. Good wind protection from the N but little from S,E,W. Good hold on muddy, sandy bottom 10 - 12' down. Rafted up with another sailboat and decided a second anchor was not necessary. This is not a no wake zone but boats often come in to fish or catch bait and respect an unwritten No Wake Zone. Good restaurant with breakfast a short dingy ride away at Pirates Bar and Grill. Other restaurants a little further away (approx. 1 mile). Get ready to see pods of dolphins and the water boiling with schools of fish being chased.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Dauphin Island-Pelican Bay

Reviewed by: Daryl Rester, SV Lagniappe, on Aug 8, 2022
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.8'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

5

Current Flow:

4

Wake Protection:

5

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

2

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

4

WiFi:

1

We spent 2 very blissful weeks here doing repairs and enjoying the seafood and pizza restaurants that are right on the shore. Our highlight was one Saturday when we got up and found about 100 kite surfers had descended upon the bay, a real joy to watch.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer

Review for Dauphin Island-Pelican Bay

Reviewed by: Charlie Stewart, OneEighty , on May 17, 2021
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 42'
Draft: 5.5'

Overall Rating:

5

Holding:

5

Wind Protection:

4

Current Flow:

5

Wake Protection:

5

Scenic Beauty:

5

Ease of Shopping:

3

Shore Access:

5

Pet Friendly:

5

Cell Service:

4

WiFi:

1

One of the best anchorages on the entire Gulf Coast. 180° sea protection and good breezes from all directions but north. Good food w short dinghy ride. Good holding w muddy sand and 10’ depth.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer