Fort Morgan

Mobile Bay Ferry

The Mobile Bay Ferry carries cars, bikes and walk-on passengers between Fort Morgan and Dauphin Island in about 40 minutes. A car under 22 feet with its driver costs $21 one way. There are no reservations; you buy tickets at the landing and board in the order you arrive.

Schedule

Checked November 5, 2026About 40 minutesNo reservations

Mobile Bay, Alabama · Photo: Joe Schneid / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 · Credits

Fares

What the crossing costs

You pay for the vehicle each way and $6 for each person. The $6 person fare covers all your crossings that day, so on a round trip in one day the people only pay once.

Source: Mobile Bay Ferry: pricing

Each driver, passenger or walk-on: $6, good for every crossing that day with your receipt
Bicycle: No extra charge on the walk-on fare
Children 3 and under: Free
Pets: Free; on a leash outside the car
Car under 22 feet: $15 each way, plus the people in it
Vehicle, trailer or RV 22 feet and longer: $20 each way, plus the people in it
Motorcycle: $7 each way, plus the rider
Example: car and driver: $21 one way
Example: car, driver and one passenger: $27 one way
Example: car with 3 to 5 people: $33, $39 or $45 one way
Same-day return: Car under 22 feet $15; the people ride free with their receipt
Round-trip tickets: None; pay each way at the landing
Gift card: $100 of fares for $80; it doesn't expire and can't be refunded

Schedule

Departures by season

The ferry runs seven days a week. From Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day the schedule runs every 45 minutes, with a second boat on busy days.

Winter (end of daylight saving time to its start)
From Dauphin Island8:00 am–5:00 pm, every 90 minutes (7 trips)From Fort Morgan8:45 am–5:45 pm, every 90 minutes (7 trips)
Spring (start of daylight saving time to Memorial Day)
From Dauphin Island8:00 am–6:30 pm, every 90 minutes (8 trips)From Fort Morgan8:45 am–7:15 pm, every 90 minutes (8 trips)
Summer (Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day)
From Dauphin Island8:00 am–6:30 pm, every 45 minutes (15 trips)From Fort Morgan8:45 am–7:15 pm, every 45 minutes (15 trips)
Fall (after Labor Day to the end of daylight saving time)
From Dauphin Island8:00 am–6:30 pm, every 90 minutes (8 trips)From Fort Morgan8:45 am–7:15 pm, every 90 minutes (8 trips)

Source: Mobile Bay Ferry: schedule

Before you go

Arrive early, there are no reservations

Cars board in the order they arrive, so be at the landing 30 minutes to an hour before the departure you want. In summer, allow extra time for the crowds and vehicle checks.

Source: Mobile Bay Ferry: FAQ

Reservations: Not possible; cars board in the order they arrive
Tickets: Only in person at the landings, no online sales
When to arrive: 30 minutes to an hour before the departure
Crossing time: About 40 minutes
Vehicles over 21 feet: Call ahead, 251-861-3000
Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day
Weather: Wind and maintenance can stop the ferry; on a windy day call 251-861-3000 or look at its Facebook page

Fort Morgan landing: 110 AL-180, Gulf Shores; at the west end of the Fort Morgan Peninsula
Dauphin Island landing: 112 Bienville Blvd, Dauphin Island
From Gulf Shores (Gulf Place): About 21.6 miles by car
From The Wharf, Orange Beach: About 25.5 miles by car

Vehicles and rules

RVs, trailers, dogs and shoes

Drive on slowly, at no more than 3 mph, and follow the deckhand's directions.

Sources: Mobile Bay Ferry: FAQ, rules

Two ferries: The Ft. Morgan and the Marissa Mae Nicole, run by City Ferry for the Alabama Department of Transportation
Weight: Up to 50,000 pounds per vehicle on the Ft. Morgan
Trailers and campers: The Marissa Mae Nicole takes no trailers, motorhomes, campers or boats longer than 10 feet; over 21 feet, call ahead
Low vehicles: At some tides, low cars, RVs, boats and trailers can't get on; check the tide table and call 251-861-3000
Not allowed: Commercial vehicles such as fuel trucks, tractor-trailers and buses
Shoes: Required on deck; the deck can pass 135 °F in summer, so dogs need paw protection
Dogs: Free, on a leash outside the car
On board: Restrooms on both ferries; no smoking, fishing, swimming or diving; small children stay with a parent on deck
Motorcycles: Riders stay with the bike during the crossing
Rough weather: Stay in your car
Security: Vehicles and passengers can be searched before boarding

Dauphin Island

Two stops near the Dauphin Island landing

With a day trip on foot or by bike you only pay the person fare.

Sources: Dauphin Island Sea Lab: Alabama Aquarium, Fort Gaines: hours and admission.

Fort Morgan, at the other landing

Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab: Daily 9 am–5 pm, last tickets 4 pm; adults $14, 60+ $12, ages 5–18 and students $6, under 5 free; free parking. 102 Bienville Blvd, on the same road as the landing
Fort Gaines: 9 am–5 pm; ages 13+ $10, ages 5–12 $5; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

What people ask

Quick answers

How much does the Dauphin Island ferry cost per person?

$6 for each driver, passenger or walk-on, and that covers every crossing the same day with your receipt. A car under 22 feet adds $15 each way.

How long is the ferry ride to Dauphin Island?

About 40 minutes. Be at the landing 30 minutes to an hour before you want to leave.

Is the Dauphin Island ferry running today?

It runs every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Wind and maintenance can stop it, so on a windy day call 251-861-3000.

Where does the Dauphin Island ferry go?

Across the mouth of Mobile Bay, between the Fort Morgan landing at the west end of Highway 180 and the Dauphin Island landing at 112 Bienville Blvd.

Is there a ferry from Dauphin Island to Gulf Shores?

Yes. The ferry lands at Fort Morgan, about 21.6 miles by car from Gulf Place in Gulf Shores.