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Dauphin Island kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot

United States · Alabama

Spot currently openIntermediate level 30.24 | -88.11

Overview

Dauphin Island is a barrier island west of Mobile Bay entrance, in the Gulf of Mexico. It's one of the oldest islands on the Gulf Coast, with rich history dating back to French explorers. The island is long and narrow, with south-facing beaches on the Gulf and marshy areas on the north side. Dauphin Island is less developed than Gulf Shores, offering a wilder and more natural atmosphere. The spot is intermediate due to currents around the island and proximity to Mobile Bay entrance. The Audubon Bird Sanctuary occupies a large portion of the island.

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Spot forecast for Dauphin Island

Sunrise 06:58 · Sunset 18:16

Open-Meteo

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Swell and waves

Swell and tides over 8 days. Premium members see the swell and tides over 8 days. Without a subscription: 5 days.

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Wave height: < 0.5 m 0.5–1 m 1–2 m 2–3 m ≥ 3 m

Swell data by Open-Meteo Marine

Tides

Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 1.4 km from the spot.

6:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:006:0012:0018:00Mon 19Tue 20Wed 21Thu 22Fri 23 Now02:530.6 m14:120.3 m05:040.6 m14:330.3 m23:180.5 m00:220.5 m06:300.6 m14:400.3 m22:480.5 m02:000.5 m07:470.5 m14:460.4 m20:320.5 m03:040.4 m09:050.5 m14:540.4 m20:360.6 m
  • Monday 19 October High tide · 0.6 m Low tide · 0.3 m
  • Tuesday 20 October High tide · 0.6 m Low tide · 0.3 m High tide · 0.5 m
  • Wednesday 21 October Low tide · 0.5 m High tide · 0.6 m Low tide · 0.3 m High tide · 0.5 m
  • Thursday 22 October Low tide · 0.5 m High tide · 0.5 m Low tide · 0.4 m High tide · 0.5 m
  • Friday 23 October Low tide · 0.4 m High tide · 0.5 m Low tide · 0.4 m High tide · 0.6 m

Dauphin Island : when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

325h

in May · 29.5 rideable days

The season runs from March to July, peaking in May: 26 rideable days a month and 325 hours of usable wind, at 25 °C. The low point is December, at 13 days.

Rideable days per month

0 10 20 30 January: 15 rideable days J February: 13.5 rideable days F March: 24 rideable days M April: 26 rideable days A May: 29.5 rideable days29.5 d M June: 25.5 rideable days J July: 26 rideable days J August: 19.5 rideable days A September: 19.5 rideable days S October: 16 rideable days O November: 16 rideable days N December: 13 rideable days13 d D 0 10 20 30 January: 15 rideable days J February: 13.5 rideable days F March: 24 rideable days M April: 26 rideable days A May: 29.5 rideable days29.5 d M June: 25.5 rideable days J July: 26 rideable days J August: 19.5 rideable days A September: 19.5 rideable days S October: 16 rideable days O November: 16 rideable days N December: 13 rideable days13 d D

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 71%13-20 knots · 27%21-30 knots · 2%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 71% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 12 °C. The wettest month is August, with 222 mm.

Monthly averages: Dauphin Island
Monthly averages — Dauphin Island — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month Rideable days Usable wind Temperature Rain
January 15.0 143 h 12 °C 122 mm
February 13.5 118 h 16 °C 102 mm
March 24.0 211 h 18 °C 145 mm
April 26.0 283 h 22 °C 79 mm
May 29.5 325 h 26 °C 176 mm
June 25.5 251 h 29 °C 184 mm
July 26.0 191 h 30 °C 128 mm
August 19.5 142 h 30 °C 222 mm
September 19.5 164 h 28 °C 201 mm
October 16.0 134 h 24 °C 188 mm
November 16.0 120 h 20 °C 58 mm
December 13.0 96 h 15 °C 144 mm

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Technical details of Dauphin Island spot

N: Not rideable NNE: Not rideable NE: Not rideable ENE: Rideable E: Rideable ESE: Rideable SE: Rideable SSE: Rideable S: Rideable SSW: Rideable SW: Rideable WSW: Rideable W: Rideable WNW: Not rideable NW: Not rideable NNW: Not rideable N E S W

The spot works with winds from ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W.

Rideable Not rideable
Spot opening date · Required level
Spot opening date
Open all year round
Required level
Intermediate
On the water

Moderate Gulf of Mexico waves on south-facing beaches. Light to moderate shore break. Sandy bottom. Tidal currents present around the island, particularly at the eastern end near Mobile Bay entrance. In SE to SW winds, conditions are good. The western end of the island is wilder and more exposed to erosion.

Hazards

Significant tidal currents near Mobile Bay entrance (east end) — don't drift toward the inlet. Active erosion on the western end of the island — beach changes after each storm. Stingrays. Jellyfish in summer. Sharks present in Gulf waters. Violent thunderstorms frequent in summer. Hurricanes possible June through November. Isolated island — limited rescue. Alligators in marshy areas on the north side.

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