Towns & Living · Explainer
The Mobile Bay Ferry
A 40-minute ride across the mouth of Mobile Bay links two Civil War forts and turns a long drive around the bay into a day trip.
Photo: Joe Schneid, Louisville, Kentucky, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
The Mobile Bay Ferry crosses the mouth of Mobile Bay between Fort Morgan, at the tip of the Fort Morgan peninsula west of Gulf Shores, and Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island, in roughly 40 minutes. It runs year-round, weather permitting, carries cars, motorcycles, bicycles and walk-on passengers, and turns a drive around the bay into a scenic loop day trip.
Route, Terminals and What It Carries
The Fort Morgan loading dock is at 110 AL-180, Gulf Shores, AL 36542, at the end of the highway near Fort Morgan State Historic Site; the Dauphin Island dock is at 112 Bienville Blvd., beside Fort Gaines. The service's website says it is anchored by Hornblower and runs two vessels, the Fort Morgan and the Marissa Mae Nicole: at least one boat operates all year, and both usually run in the busy summer season. The ferries take vehicles, trailers and RVs, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians, are wheelchair accessible and allow pets. Boarding is first come, first served, and tickets are sold in person at the landings rather than online.
How Fares and Schedules Work
Fares are set per person plus a charge for each vehicle. As of September 2026, the official pricing page lists $6 for each driver, passenger or pedestrian, covering all rides that same day, with bicycles at no extra charge and children 3 and under free; one-way vehicle fares are $15 under 22 feet, $20 for 22 feet and over, and $7 for motorcycles. Prices change, so confirm them on mobilebayferry.com before setting out.
The ferry runs seven days a week, weather permitting, and closes on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Departures run from morning into the evening, with more frequent trips from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The official site says it does not run the 6:30 p.m. trip from Dauphin Island or the 7:15 p.m. trip from Fort Morgan except during daylight saving time. The schedule is subject to change due to weather or maintenance, and timetables copied onto third-party sites can be out of date, so check the ferry's website or Facebook page, or call 251-861-3000, the morning of travel.
Why the Crossing Is Worth It
The crossing links two historic forts that guarded the bay in the Civil War Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864: Fort Morgan on the eastern side and Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island, both open for visitors to climb and explore. On the way across, passengers can watch ships, birds and marine life, often including bottlenose dolphins, along with the natural gas platforms that stand in the lower bay.
For a full loop, drive from Gulf Shores out Highway 180 to Fort Morgan, ride the ferry to Dauphin Island, then return by road over the Dauphin Island Bridge, north through Mobile and back across the bay on Interstate 10, or reverse the route. Travelers who want the whole loop need to take a vehicle across; cyclists and walk-ons can simply ride over and back the same day on one fare.
The ferry makes a reliable short crossing of wide water when the day is calm, but its usefulness depends on whether it is running. Check the official site or call before driving out to the landing.
General information, checked against the sources below at the time of writing. Rules, fees, schedules and programs change; confirm with the official source before you rely on them.
