4 Best Mobile, Alabama Beaches

By VacationIdea Staff on August 31, 2022 - Updated

Courtesy of forestpath - Fotolia.com

The county seat of Mobile County in southwestern Alabama, Mobile is a beautiful port city with distinctive architecture and a lot of history behind it. It's the third biggest city in Alabama and the biggest city to be situated on the Gulf Coast between New Orleans in Louisiana and St Petersburg in Florida. It's the only port city in Alabama and is a superb place to visit for a wide variety of reasons. The city's downtown districts are a lot of fun to explore and Mobile has plenty of interesting museums and highly rated eateries.

We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.

1.Dauphin Island

This is one of the closest beaches to the city of Mobile. It's a little over half an hour away by car and is actually a barrier island that is connected to the mainland by a long bridge. If you'd prefer to leave the car and enjoy a different route, ferry services also connect the coast with Dauphin Island. When you get there, you'll be blown away by the sheer beauty of this location. The fort is home to the historical Fort Gaines, which was constructed back in the 1800s and still remains standing to this day.

Dauphin Island’s beaches can be found running all around the outside of the fort and stretching along the full length of the island's coastline, offering a lot of space for everyone to enjoy. This is a popular beach near Mobile, but it never gets too crowded. There are several piers for fishing and Dauphin Island can be a nice spot to spend a weekend, with various condos and holiday homes available for rent in the local area.

2.Fairhope

The little arts and crafts town of Fairhope can be found on the eastern side of Mobile Bay, just a short drive away from the city of Mobile. It's a small, tranquil town with a lot of charm. Beautiful flowerbeds and trees line the streets and a warm welcome awaits you in every store and eatery, with Fairhope being a great place to stop off and spend a day at any time of year.

There are actually three unique beaches to be found in Fairhope, but they're all quite similar, providing lovely views out over the bar and relatively calm, warm waters that are just right for swimming and other fun activities. If you're looking for a pure, simple beach experience near Mobile, Alabama, this is definitely a great place to be.

3.West Beach - Gulf Shores

Often ranked as the finest beach in all of Alabama, West Beach at the Gulf Shores area is found a relatively short distance from the city of Mobile, just south of Mobile Bay. This beach runs for around six miles in total, providing more than enough space for everyone to enjoy a lot of privacy and find their own little spot of sandy paradise to sit back and relax.

Offering the cleanest, whitest sands and warmest waters, this fully public beach is a perfect place to spend a day. As soon as you arrive, the first views of the beach and Gulf waters will blow you away, and when you dip your toes in those waters on a sunny summer day, you won’t be able to resist heading further out to sea for a soothing soak. A good tip for this beach is to take the time to walk west a little; as you head further along in this direction, the crowds will thin out and you’ll have even more intimacy.

4.Point Clear

This is actually one of the closest beaches to Mobile, Alabama, but there's a catch: Point Clear is a private beach, with access exclusively reserved for guests of the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort. If you do happen to stay at the hotel, which is one of the oldest resorts in the city, this beach is definitely worth checking out.

The soft, white sand sinks beneath your feet and the waters are just right in this part of the bay. Not only that, but the resort also organizes lots of beach and water activities, with various equipment and sporting items available for rent and giving you a dozen different ways to while away the day.

5.More Info

Unfortunately, despite being a coastal city, it doesn't have any beaches, so you'll have to take a trip outside of the city to find the best beaches near Mobile, Alabama. Luckily, you won’t have to go too far. There are plenty of highly-rated beaches to be found within an hour of Mobile, offering beautiful views of the Gulf of Mexico, soft sands beneath your feet, warm waters for swimming, and much more. Fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, surfing, and many other fun activities can be found on the beaches around Mobile, so there’s something to please every kind of traveler in this little corner of the country.

Best Beaches Near Mobile, Alabama

Despite not having any beaches of its own, Mobile is a great place to base yourself for a beachside vacation. Many excellent beaches are found very close to the city, and if you’re willing to drive just a little further, there are even more sunny and sandy destinations a little further away. Finding a beach near Mobile can be quite an overwhelming task with so many options to choose from, so we’re helping to narrow down your search by providing some brief overviews of the very best beaches in the area. Read on to learn all about them.

4 Best Mobile, Alabama Beaches

Dauphin Island , Photo: swambolt/stock.adobe.com
Fairhope, Photo: Ursula Page/stock.adobe.com
West Beach - Gulf Shores, Photo: mokee81/stock.adobe.com
Point Clear, Photo: Angel/stock.adobe.com
More Info, Photo: Nancy/stock.adobe.com
Cover Photo: Courtesy of forestpath - Fotolia.com

More Ideas: Fort Conde Inn in Downtown Mobile

The Fort Conde Inn is a boutique hotel housed in a fully restored nineteenth century mansion, located in downtown Mobile, Alabama. The Alabama hotel is in a central location for couples and tourists looking to enjoy the city’s attractions – including museums, historical sites and diverse culinary experiences, as well as the nation’s oldest Mardi Gras celebration, or as a picturesque site for weddings or other special events.

Constructed in 1836, making it one of the oldest homes in Mobile, the Forte Conde Inn blends old world southern charm, with the comforts of a AAA Four Diamond luxury hotel. The mansion and carriage house feature thirteen spacious rooms, which includes five suites.

Two roomy private guest cottages are also available on the property. The rooms are decorated with original artwork and both original antiques and reproduction pieces. The rooms in the main house feature fireplaces, twelve foot ceilings, pine heart floors and Spanish tile work. Carriage house rooms include kitchenettes and open onto the main house’s courtyard.

The private cottages have three bedrooms, two full baths, four fireplaces, a parlor, a roomy kitchen area, a private front porch and a terrace in the rear. Room amenities include Kohler Air Tubs and L’Occitane bath supplies. Guests can enjoy a daily breakfast prepared by the inn’s chef – the rotating menu can include dishes such as Seafood Benedict, Blue Crab and Asparagus Quiche or Bananas Foster French Toast.

The Fort Conde Inn presents an idyllic spot for weddings and other gatherings. The interior of the main house can accommodate up to one hundred guests and opens onto a marble tiled front veranda which is lit with gas lanterns at night.

There are two courtyards providing plenty of shade which showcase the beautifully manicured lawn beyond. The brick paved street, with a natural live oak canopy, can be reserved and accommodates up to five hundred guests. Wedding packages are available.

The Fort Conde Inn serves a delicious morning breakfast.

Downtown Mobile offers a selection of authentic, local cuisine. The Oyster House serves seafood and classic southern meals. Menu selections include Fried Green Tomatoes; Our Famous Buffalo Shrimp, served with a blue cheese sauce; Jerk Chicken Chili; Blackened Shrimp Salad; Shrimp N’ Grits; Seafood Au Gratin; and Cajun Seafood Pasta as well as sweets such as key lime and peanut butter pies.

The Brick Pit serves only the finest meats, smoked over hickory and pecan woods for upwards of thirty hours – the traditional southern style of barbeque. Barbeque ribs, pork and chicken are available in sandwiches or on plates with a side of BBQ beans, coleslaw and Texas toast. For dessert, Mrs. Waits Homemade Banana Pudding is available, made from scratch each day.

The Trellis Rooms, a AAA Four Diamond restaurant, serves seasonal, locally inspired fare. Menu options include Alabama Lump Crab cake, with butternut purée, potatoes and garlic aioli; Seared Tuna and Olive Salad, served with a feta, fig and port reduction; Chicken and Dumplings, with potato gnocchi, seasoned with a white truffle oil; Stone Ground Grit Soufflé, with braised mushrooms, crisp pork belly and goat cheese; Mushroom and Bacon Stuffed Chicken Breast, with a parmesan risotto, sautéed spinach and a veal and thyme jus; and Roasted Strawberry Cheesecake. A vegetarian menu is available upon request.

The Original Oyster House serves regional, southern style seafood. Menu selections include Homemade Seafood Gumbo, with crab, shrimp and flounder; Joe & Dave’s Alligator Bites; Natchitoches Meat Pies, a Cajun pastry filled with spiced ground beef, served with a creamy remoulade; Fried Crawfish Tails; Fire-Grilled Oysters, with Romano cheese and garlic butter; and sandwiches such as the Shrimp Po’ Boy.

A Spot of Tea serves breakfast, lunch and brunch daily. Menu choices include Pecan Waffles, with sausage, bacon or ham and eggs; Cajun Seafood Omelet, stuffed with blackened shrimp and served with a blackened Mexican grouper and crawfish sauce; Banana’s Foster French Toast, served with a choice of ham, steak, sausage or bacon; Blackened Monterey Chicken, with Monterey Jack, Cajun seasoning and sautéed onions and peppers, served with a house specialty sauce on sourdough; and Peppercorn Steak Sandwich, with Swiss Cheese, served on grilled pistolette.

The Fort Conde Inn’s location makes it great place to stay while enjoying the diverse adventures the city has to offer. The nearby Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center presents children and adults alike with a variety of learning experiences. Current Exhibitions include da Vinci: Machines and Robotics, which realizes concepts and inventions devised by Leonardo da Vinci over five hundred years ago, and My Bodyworks, which allows patrons to explore the physiology of the human body with stations like the Ernest G. DeBakey Virtual Surgery Center, in which guests perform virtual surgeries such as heart bypass and knee replacement.

Mobile hosts the nation’s oldest Mardi Gras celebrations, with numerous parades featuring an extravaganza of wildly inventive themed floats and marching bands over the course of weeks. Visitors can also see displays of Mardi Gras robes, crowns and floats at the Carnival Museum. The date of Mardi Gras varies depending on the date of Easter and scheduling information can be found at www.themobilemask.com.

Current and past exhibitions at the Mobile Museum of Art have included a critically acclaimed sound sculpture by artist Janet Cardiff; Chinese Bronzes, featuring an impressive collection of pieces dating from the fourteenth to the eighteenth century; an installation by Mobile native Raine Bedsole, an artist who is known for working with unusual materials; and a Rock Garden, featuring the works of master ceramic artist Hiroshi Sueyoshi.

The Mobile Botanical Gardens feature woodland gardens, a magnolia grove, a fern glade, a rose garden, a Longleaf Pine Treasure Forest and many other types of flowers and plants – one of the largest collections of plants on the Gulf Coast. Walking trails wind through the gardens and allow visitors to witness firsthand the area’s biodiversity.

The Richards-Dar House Museum transports visitors back to antebellum Mobile with its ornate fence and lattice work, lush interiors with carved marble mantels, bronze chandeliers embellished with mythological figures and glass globes, and one of the largest crystal chandeliers in the area. Guests are treated to tea and cookies.

165 St Emanuel St, Mobile, AL 36602, Phone: 251-405-5040

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More Ideas: The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa

This beautiful hotel & spa is located in Mobile, Alabama. It was made with only the comfort and luxury of its guests in mind. Guests that lodge at The Battle House Renaissance can fill their agenda with great Southern eats, ultimate spa relaxation, and popular Alabama tourist attractions.

Lodging

Every room comes with essential amenities like:

-Shower/tub combination

-Hair dryer

-Iron and ironing board

-Alarm Clock

-In-room safe

-Coffee/tea maker

-Mini-refrigerator

-High-speed Internet

Guest Room, 1 King/2 Queen – In a standard hotel guest room at The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel, guests can choose either a room with one king bed or two queen beds. The room is 400sf, air-conditioned and non-smoking. Windows are floor-to-ceiling and soundproof. An evening hospitality turndown service is available as well as newspaper delivery, upon request. This guest room is available as hearing and mobility accessible.

Club Level, Guest Room, King/2 Queen – This guest rooms are 400sf with air conditioning and soundproof windows. Select rooms are available with connecting rooms. A complimentary evening hospitality turndown service is offered to guests, as well as newspaper delivery upon request. Exclusive Club Level accommodations include access to the Club Lounge, complimentary food (continental breakfast, hors-d'oeuvres, dessert), and cocktails, for a fee. Guests can also take advantage of an honor bar or other complimentary non-alcoholic drinks. This room is not offered as mobility accessible or with roll-in showers.

1 Bedroom Junior Suite, 1 King/1 Queen/2 Queen, Sofa Bed – This room is a spacious 600sf, air-conditioned and non-smoking. Select rooms are offered with connecting rooms. There are comfortable living and sitting areas, as well as soundproof windows. Guests can enjoy an evening hospitality turndown service and newspaper delivery on request. This suite is not available as mobility accessible, with roll-in showers or hearing accessible.

Larger Guest Room, 1 King, Corner Room, Balcony – This guest room is 490sf, air-conditioned and non-smoking. Select rooms are available with connecting rooms. Hearing and mobility accessible rooms are not offered. An outdoor balcony space and private corner room make this guest room genuinely distinct.

There are also a large variety of room and in-room media accommodations and amenities offered to guests who choose to lodge at The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel. These rooms have TVs, Wi-Fi, and satellite/cable options with pay-per-view and movie channels.

Dining

The Trellis Room – For local flavors and delectable Southern cuisine, guests can dine at The Trellis Room. The Trellis Room is open for breakfast and dinner daily and offers its guests a comfortable, casual dining atmosphere and experience. Fresh, farm-to-table ingredients make up the favorite dishes the AAA Four Diamond restaurant.

Royal Street Tavern – At the Royal Street Tavern, guests can enjoy adult beverages, including craft beer, wine, cocktails, and handmade, fresh martinis. Diners and drinkers can also pair their drink with one of the many snacks or small, shareable plates offered for purchase. The dress code at The Royal Street Tavern is casual. The Tavern is open daily for dinner.

Joe Cain Cafe – Open daily for lunch and dinner, the Joe Cain Cafe is widely known for its authentic, Southern comfort food. Diners can choose amongst the assortment of ribs, gumbo, sandwiches, and pizzas all prepared and served fresh daily. The dress code at the Joe Cain Cafe is casual.

Spa

The Battle House Spa is open daily for guests to pamper themselves. The Spa is an ideal location for large parties celebrating special events, such as a bridal, wedding or baby shower. Guests must make a reservation ahead of time. There are many amenities, treatments, and services available at The Battle House Spa. Guests can choose from the following services during their spa day:

-Waxing

-Body Wrap

-Paraffin hand treatments

-Manicures/pedicures

-Steam room

-Men’s services

-Facials

-Body scrub

-Makeup services

Fitness

The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel’s Fitness Center is open 24 hours-7 days a week. Guests can take advantage of the cardio equipment and machines and free weights. All guests lodging at The Battle House Renaissance has complimentary access to the Fitness Center. There is also an outdoor, heated pool available to guests, as well as a whirlpool. Towels are provided. For people wanting some help with their fitness goals during their stay, fitness coaching services are available to anyone who asks the front desk. Advance notice is required to set up an appointment with the fitness instructor.

26 North Royal Street, Mobile, AL 36602, Phone: 251-338-2000

More Romantic Weekend Getaways in Alabama

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More Ideas: Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza

At the Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza in Mobile, Alabama, guests can experience the sights and attractions of Downtown Mobile, visiting popular attractions like the John A. Campbell U.S. Courthouse and the USS Alabama. After a day packed with historic adventure and fun, guests can then retreat to luxury rooms and suites with top-of-the-line amenities and first-class hospitality and customer service.

Guest Room, 1 King – This guest room features one king-size bed, along with floor-to-ceiling windows and newspaper delivery service upon guest request. In addition, this room is 337sf, air-conditioned and non-smoking. Select rooms are available with connecting rooms. This guest room is available as mobility accessible, including a spacious roll-in shower.

Guest Room, 2 Queen – This guest room comes complete with two queen-size beds, covered with premium white bedding. This room is air-conditioned and non-smoking. Select rooms are available with connecting rooms. This guest room is available as mobility and hearing accessible.

King Corner Room – With a spacious 567sf, this guest room includes a king-size bed with a luxurious pillow-top mattress. This room is air-conditioned and non-smoking. A newspaper delivery is available upon guest request. This room type is not available as mobility or hearing accessible.

King Room/2 Queen River View – This room is 337sf, air-conditioned and non-smoking. Guests can enjoy a view of the scenic Mobile River right outside their window. Guests that stay in the River View room can take advantage of the evening turndown hospitality service, as well as daily newspaper delivery. This room type is not available as mobility or hearing accessible.

Club Level King/2 Queen Room – This exclusive Club Level room is 337sf, air-conditioned and non-smoking. Guests can also enjoy floor-to-ceiling windows as well as an evening turndown hospitality service. This room is not available as mobility or hearing accessible. Additional perks of lodging in a premium Club Level room include the following:

-Honor bar

-Club lounge access

-Complimentary business services

-Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages

-Cocktails (for a fee)

-Complimentary food (hot buffet breakfast, hors d’oeuvres, dessert, late night snack)

There are also a wide variety of room and in-room media amenities offered to guests who lodge at the Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza. Some of these amenities and accommodations include the following:

-Pillow-top mattress

-Room service

-Coffee maker/tea service

-Marble bathroom

-Shower/tub combination

-Lighted makeup mirror

-Hair dryer

-Mini-refrigerator

-Alarm clock

-In-room safe (for a fee)

-Writing/work desk with electrical outlet

-Iron and ironing board

-Cordless phone with voicemail

-Wireless Internet (for a fee)

-Plug-in high tech room

-Cable/satellite

-Radio

-iPod dock

Dining

The Harbor Room – This restaurant offers its diners the freshest, regional seafood prepared alongside farm-to-table produce and ingredients. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, The Harbor Room is an elegant, modern location for guests and locals to dine. The dress code at The Harbor Room is casual.

Fathoms Lounge – Fathoms Lounge is the perfect balance between the eccentricity of Downtown Mobile and the elegance of fine dining. At this popular Mobile location, guests can enjoy live music, signature cocktails and outdoor covered seating while they drink and dine. Fathoms Lounge is open for dinner and the dress code is casual.

Fitness

The Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza’s Fitness Center is open 24 hours-7 days a week. The equipment and services offered to guests of the hotel include cardio equipment and machines and free weights. There are no fitness classes available to guests. Guests have access the Fitness Center with their hotel key card. Additional exercise equipment include a Lifecycle and treadmill. Guests can also take advantage of the outdoor pool and sauna.

Weddings

Couples planning their wedding can take advantage of the Renaissance Mobile Riverview’s 15 unique special event rooms, as well as their 39,213sf of space reserved for special occasions. Certified, professional wedding planners can also assist couples in perfect the details of their memorable day. The Mobile Riverview also offers a specialized catering staff with a flexible menu that can meet everyone’s dietary restrictions and needs. Couples can take advantage of the beautiful Mobile location, with numerous historic locations that are ideal for photo opts. Popular restaurants, cafes and bars offer their wedding guests a variety of fine dining for the duration of their stay in Mobile.

Local Attractions

There are a number of popular attractions located in and around Mobile, Alabama. Some of these tourist attractions include:

-Museum of Mobile

-Mobile Carnival Museum

-Gulf Quest – National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico

-The Gulf Coast Exploreum and IMAX

-USS Alabama Battleship Park

-5 Rivers Delta Center

-Oakleigh Historic Complex

-Mobile Botanical Gardens

-Fort Conde Museum

-Mobile Museum of Art