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Teiki Mathieu Baillan surfing a self-made Alaya surfboard in Macaroni, Mentawaï, Indonesia. Photo by C. Naslain, 2009.
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Dauphin Island Pier
USA, Gulf Coast, Alabama
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Datum: WGS84 [ Help ] |
Latitude: 30° 15.004' N |
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This has to be the best spot for all surfers in Alabama and western Florida. Driving from Mobile, Alabama, take I-10W toward Pascagoula and get off at exit 17-A. Get onto AL-193S until you cross the bridge to Dauphin Island. The beach is to your left once on the island. Can't miss it! The break is on the far east side of the island. DistanceTake a car WalkInstant access (< 5min) Easy to find?Easy to find Public access?Public access Special access4x4 |
Surf Spot Characteristics
Alternative name Dauphin Beach
Surf Spot Quality
Wave qualityNormal
ExperienceBeginners wave
FrequencyRegular
Wave
TypeBeach-break
DirectionRight and left
BottomSandy with rock
PowerHollow, Fast, Fun
Normal lengthShort (< 50m)
Good day lengthNormal (50 to 150m)
Tide, Swell and Wind
Good swell directionNorth, NorthWest, West, NorthEast
Good wind directionNorth, NorthWest, West, NorthEast
Swell sizeStarts working at 1.0m-1.5m / 3ft-5ft and holds up to 2m+ / 6ft+
Best tide positionMid and high tide
Best tide movementFalling tide
More details
Week crowdEmpty
Week-end crowdFew surfers
Dangers
- Rips / undertow
Additional Information
This place has two best breaks. The first is anywhere within 100 yards of the pier. The second is out on the sandbar about 75 feet out. The breaks are easy to spot. Have some fun with your shortboard.
Atmosphere
This is one of the golden spots in the gulf. Nobody comes out here normally except on holiday weeks. The waves are best in the fall during hurricane season where the swells get up to well over 6ft. Don't miss it!
General
Anyone around this area treat you well. They might even be nice enough to offer you dinner and a bed at night. This place is the prime example of southern hospitality. The island is made up mostly of retired guys so there's no pressure. Also, this area is great for fishing and skimming if you enjoy that too.
Author: Boomer Contributors (2)
Comments
By 85Waterman , 22-01-2012
Hope This Is Helpful... - I haven't surfed here in while (pre katrina) but I believe I may have some helpful information for anyone interested in surfing here. The icon marking DI pier is not accurate. When I surfed there the pier never broke and I am very sure it can not because Sand Island shifted and the tail end of the sand bar blocks any surf from reaching it. DI is a great place to learn how to surf. If you are planing on making this your local spot buy a floater fish or, better yet, a long board. The best spots on the island were Stumps, Two Poles, and S-roads. Stumps is located in an empty stretch of beach just past the condos heading West when the road swerves right then left. The stumps may be visible in the shorebreak. The only place you could get barreled was S roads. Drive West until the roads begin with the letter "S". I would only attempt parking in the winter time when nobody is on the Island. Sometimes the cops are cool and they will call you out of the water to move otherwise you get a 25 dollar ticket. I have heard the the very end of the West side is good. They have a public parking lot there nowadays. My favorite spot is Sand Island. If you have gone to the pier you may be wondering, "Why is there a pier over 3' of water connecting land?" Well once again, back in the day it was much deeper and one had to paddle a 1/4 mile to get to Sand Island. As you might have seen, now you walk. If i remember correctly the swell window was SE to SSW at >5'. Walk about .4 miles down the island and there was a point break. It's probably still there. If you see some old tymers on longboards that's probably going to be the local crew that have been surfing there since the 70's. They are super friendly and they are usually more interested in shooting the shit then surfing. If you want to really score that spot go when it is 8'. Most importantly when surfing DI keep your expectations low.
By Chad , 11-09-2008
Hurricane Season Boyeee! - This location is sketchy, but can produce long rides in the right conditions. Tends to lack shape and power, but on the surf starved gulf coast this place is better than most.
By Anonymous , 01-09-2008
Pics PLEAZ - Can i get sum pics of this locations interested in checking it out
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