02/10/2007 – Dauphin Island

Launch: Public beach just west of Dauphin Island Pier.
Launch Cost: Free.
Route: West along the south side of Dauphin Island to Katrina Pass, and back.
Distance: 12.4 miles round trip.
Average Speed: 2.8 mph.
Time: Approx 4.5 hrs. 
Pace: Slow.
Weather: Sunny, waves were small except around the end of the island where the north winds were kicking up a 2 foot chop, minimal current, rising tide, temperature about 50 degrees, winds from the north 15-20 mph, very low humidity.

1) At DPIA1 early in this morning (I was there for a 5k run), winds were blowing 20-25 mph from the north. Bienville Blvd is still closed at Fort Gains. I can’t get to the jetties launch site so I launched the kayak later in the afternoon at the public beach.

2) This was taken from Katrina Pass. Hurricane Katrina cut Dauphin Island into two. To see before and after satellite images, click here.

3) Early morning photomerge of the rock jetties just south of Fort Gaines.

4) Sunset photomerge taken just west of the pier.

5) Can you believe this is the beach at Dauphin Island? It is beginning to look like Gulf Shores.

6) An American Oystercatcher bird.

7) Inland ponds on Sand Island.

8) A pelican prepares to dive for fish near the Dauphin Island pier.

9) A wonderful sunset on a breezy and chilly evening.

10) Trip Track. Photos 1 and 3 were taken on the east end of the island and are not shown on this trip track image.