Entire home

Waterfront for swimming, fishin, w/kayaks, ping pong, dock, & memorable SUNSETS!

Photo gallery for Waterfront for swimming, fishin, w/kayaks, ping pong, dock, & memorable SUNSETS!

Lil House faces north for a view of the Mississippi Sound, Mobile Bay, DI bridge
Exterior
Property grounds
Upper deck features two swings, two rocking chairs, and a small sofa.
Dining table seats 8; island seats 4 comfortably. There is also dining outside

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 1297.8 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Air conditioning
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Pool
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Dauphin Island, AL
  • Dauphin Island Beaches
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Dauphin Island Public Beach
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Isle Dauphine Golf Club
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Mobile, AL (BFM-Downtown Airport)
    ‪45 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Master Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Pelican Room

1 Queen Bed

Sailboat Room

2 Single Beds

Teen Bunkroom

2 Double Beds and 2 Single Beds

3 bathrooms

Bunk room bath

Toilet · Shower only

Main Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Master Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Dining area

About this property

Waterfront for swimming, fishin, w/kayaks, ping pong, dock, & memorable SUNSETS!

The three minute video attached says it best! "Lil" House is a four bedroom, three bath house, with spacious living area and something for everyone in your group! Its unique wrap-around porch allows for a breeze at any time of the day or night. Designed like a riverboat, each room (including the bedrooms) have doors leading out to the wrap-around porch. The house's best feature is the sunsets which are unobstructed due to its northern most point on the island. They can be observed from the upper or lower deck with lots of seating options on each. The sandy yard with a wooden boardwalk-covered seawall only feet from the porch allows for the best of both island worlds.....sand fun for the kids and sunbathers, and boat access for the swimmers and sports enthusiast. The fishing from the dock is great both day and night. The underwater nightlight is an added bonus and lends itself to great night fishing. Swimming, kayaking and paddle-boarding (all included) are extremely easy to do right in front of the house. AND its so close to the house that you can talk to your family and friends on the front porch while you swim in front of the house. Dolphins are seen often frolicking out front and dive-bombing pelicans are very entertaining to watch from one of the bed swing, two porch swings, three sofas, two arm chairs, two lounge chairs, or two rocking chairs.

The master bedroom has a queen size bed and a private bathroom. The second bedroom has a queen bed. The third has twin beds with one trundle. And the fourth bedroom, called the Teen Bunk Room because it is located downstairs with a separate entrance offering lots of privacy, has two sets of bunk beds with twin beds on top and full size beds on bottom. This room is not suitable for small children however, since there is no interior entrance to the bunkroom; it’s only accessible from the outside (which is covered.) The bunk room also has a TV and Wii, and its own bathroom.

Also, downstairs on the lower decks are four Adirondack chairs, a sofa, two arm chairs, a TV, a bed swing, a dining table and four chairs, a bar table with four barstools, and two lounge chairs for sun bathing. A green egg grill/smoker is provided and excellent for steaks and grilled oysters. There is also a PK grill that can be rolled out to the dock. There is a commercial grade ping pong table, as well as corn hole and bocce ball.

If you want to walk down to the Gulf-side beach, a wagon and beach chairs are provided. Our favorite thing to do with kids is to walk the 2 blocks to the beach at dusk with flashlights, nets, and buckets and let them chase and capture sand crabs. The best part is letting the crabs go at one time and watching the kids scramble to get out of the way!

Other things we like to do on the island include exploring the deserted stretch of sand dunes, riding bikes on the 9-mile bike path, spending the day at the Isle Dauphine Public Swim Club swimming in the pool or playing pickleball/tennis/golf, renting a pontoon boat and taking it for a picnic lunch on sand island, paddling the kayaks in the nearby estuary where you can park and walk to the wine bar or the sno cone place, touring the bird sanctuary or the Aquarium of Alabama, enjoying fresh pastries at Lighthouse Bakery, or walking to Island Rainbow for a snow cone or pizza dinner. Each fun-filled day will culminate with an amazing and memorable sunset that can be watched from the front porch or dock.

So whether you are a family with small children, or snowbirds looking for tranquility, or a fishing enthusiast, Lil House is for you! And the following pictures tell it all! (Don’t miss the four minute video!)

Property manager

Susan Carley
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed
See pet policy below
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking is only allowed outside.Ashtrays provided

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Dauphin Island

Located on the waterfront, this holiday home is in Royal Lagoons, a neighbourhood in Dauphin Island. Fort Morgan and Dauphin Island Heritage and Arts Council are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Fort Gaines and Bellingrath Gardens and Home. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Dauphin Island, AL

What's nearby

  • Dauphin Island Beaches - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Dauphin Island Public Beach - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Isle Dauphine Golf Club - 6 min drive - 3.4 km
  • Indian Shell Mound Park - 7 min drive - 4.3 km
  • Dauphin Island Sea Lab Estuarium - 10 min drive - 7.0 km

Getting around

  • Mobile, AL (BFM-Downtown Airport) - 45 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Pirate's Bar & Grill - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Island Rainbow - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪Islanders Restaurant & Bar - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Pelican Pub - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Skinner's Seafood - ‬7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Waterfront for swimming, fishin, w/kayaks, ping pong, dock, & memorable SUNSETS! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Waterfront for swimming, fishin, w/kayaks, ping pong, dock, & memorable SUNSETS!?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Waterfront for swimming, fishin, w/kayaks, ping pong, dock, & memorable SUNSETS!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Waterfront for swimming, fishin, w/kayaks, ping pong, dock, & memorable SUNSETS! located?

This family-friendly Dauphin Island holiday home is located on the waterfront, within a 15-minute walk of Dauphin Island Beaches and Dauphin Island Public Beach. Dauphin Island Heritage and Arts Council and Indian Shell Mound Park are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 150 out of 174 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 20 out of 174 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 174 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 174 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 174 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Sarah W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Loved it!
Location was amazing and the size of the house was perfect for our family of 5! The teen bunk was a great hangout for the kids and the ping pong table kept them busy too! My husband caught quite a few fish (small ones but fun) and some crab! I loved relaxing in the sun and the close shopping! Overall a great time!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anthony N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place for families!
Very nice house on the water with plenty of room for everyone and had everything we needed for a fun week. My kids loved being able to fish off the dock and be right on the water. The area under the house was perfect for my kids to hang out and watch tv and play ping pong. The under water light off the dock was really cool to watch at night. Would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Phillip D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very good Very enjoyable
Good
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robert B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Thanksgiving
Great stay, amazing location
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christina S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Front porch paradise
If you are looking for a place to sit back and relax, this is your place! Lil house has everything and more that you could want to make a memorable and relaxing vacation. Put this house on your bucket list!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

B H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Sitting On The Dock of the Bay (sound)
Loved our stay here. Enjoy fishing and watching sunsets from the dock. Wonderful time!
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kristin M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Can’t wait to come back
We have stayed all over the island and Lil House is one of our favorites. Lovely host and touches throughout. Thank you!
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Teresa P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We love lil house!
This was our third stay at Susan's home and each visit is better than the last. We love all of the updates. This home is the perfect place to relax and spend time with your family. There were ten of us this trip including our 3 adult children and their significant others, our teenager and our 9 year old grandson. Lots of fun was had by all! Thanks again for a wonderful place to vacation.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tim B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Best Place Ever!!
This was our third time at Lil House and it never disappoints.The house is great, and Susan is always available if you have any questions. We have already booked for 2025 and we can’t wait to return. Thank you Susan for sharing your home with us. Tim B.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ronnie D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful Place to Make Memories
Our family loved everything about this beautiful property! Susan was very hospitable and kind. We highly recommend staying here while on Dauphin Island!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tammy W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location Beautiful house
Everything was spectacular !!!! The sunsets from the dock was amazing every night. They were million dollar sunsets and each one was special. The kayak and paddle board were used and appreciated by our entire group. The house was just right for our family of 8. The grills made cooking easy and fun. Everyone enjoyed the swing bed. This house and location is a 100/10 every time.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lydia N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful stay
Had a great week at Lil House with 6 adults and 2 infants! The house was clean and very well stocked. Especially enjoyed all the games and seating underneath the house. Next door neighbors were very nice and helpful too! We will be back!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

John B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The only way to experience Dauphin Island
We have wanted to visit the Gulf Shores area for quite a while. I was impressed to find this gem on Dauphin Island. The property was amazing. It felt like a tropical home away from home. The home was clean and well appointed and the location on the water with kayaks, paddle boards, swimming, and finishing made it so we didn’t feel the need to leave to be entertained. The outdoor furniture and covered deck made enjoying the sunsets over the bay some for the memory books. Communication with the host was very easy. Would highly recommend and will come back to the Lil House when we visit Dauphin Island again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ledyard M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lil House
Lil House was great! Although the weather didn't cooperate for our fishing, we did have some incredible sunsets! Our 14 year old grandson did have a unique experience with a dolphin as it swam right next to his fishing kayak and followed him back to the dock. You could not ask for a better host than Susan. She provided us with a wealth of information about Dauphin Island, from where to grocery shop, places to visit, and contact information for a variety of rentals. We hope to come back to Lil House again!
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2024

6/10 Okay

Tamara F.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness
Great access to fishing
We loved the location of the home. The only downfall was the cleanliness of the home. The owner was super accommodating with all questions which was so helpful, but we just wished the home was cleaner. We had a great time on our vacation.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

S H., Denver, NC

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A wonderful getaway!
Susan's house is lovely and the view is just outstanding! Dauphin Island is a nice quiet getaway. We enjoyed the dolphins, fishing, E bikes, touring the island and the restaurants!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alison K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic in so many ways
Lil House was absolutely perfect for our February getaway! The home is cozy, comfortable, and clean. It had everything and more than we could have asked for. The bay is so close and the views are great from both inside and outside. There are so many things to enjoy from the outdoor areas. We fished from the dock, watched the pelicans and herons catch fish in the light at night, played ping pong, and read books on the porch swing bed. The sunsets are absolutely beautiful! We watched dolphins swim by the dock each day. We also enjoyed walking on the beaches and hiking the Audubon trails. We had a wonderful trip and will rent from Susan again in the future. She was very welcoming and provided all kinds of helpful information. Thanks for the amazing memories!
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Heather H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Last minute trip to the island!
We absolutely love our vacations to Dauphin Island and have stayed on several properties on the island. This one will always be at the top of our list. The dock and the view are beautiful! The house had everything we needed for a successful and fun filled trip. Susan was an amazing and responsive host and answered every question we had. We will definitely stay at this home again and hopefully this summer! See you soon!
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

sarah m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family vacation
The location was beautiful. We had a great time.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

amy h.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Awesome Vacation!
Can't think of one thing we lacked during our stay. The furniture was comfortable. The kitchen is well equipped.Lots of games to play. Awesome fishing. Beautiful sunset views. We loved our bacation here!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jen S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing Home
This house was perfect! The owner had great communication skills. The kids enjoyed having their own space in the bunk room to relax and play. The wrap around porch was great! Even in the rain, we found dry places to sit. There were 9 of us total and we had plenty of room. The view from the dock was perfect. We can't wait to visit again!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brian R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent vacation rental and location
The house is as described. Excellent property and host. I would recommend this property to anyone looking to stay on the bay side. We had several dolphins swim within feet of the dock. Fishing was excellent, access to beach was easy. Make sure you spend time at night watching the light out in the bay, we saw several fish and a shark come in at night to the light. Only recommendation is to rebuild the lower dock for easy access to the kayaks.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Teresa J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lil house was awesome!
The house was wonderful and all the amenities provided were awesome! Our host was great and even mailed me some AirPods that one of my teenagers dropped on our way out! We loved kayaking and paddling in the bay and playing cards on the porch!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

David V., Parkersburg

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Awesome time
We will be hack
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Linda W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Just the best!
Comfy, clean, well-equipped, and beautiful!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

About the host

Hosted by Susan Carley

Host profile image
I am a 56 year old mother of two college kids living in Mobile, Alabama with my husband, Kevin. We live just a short 45 minute drive from the island where we love ALL water sports and just watching the sunsets and dolphins....that never gets old! The house has been in my family since my grandmother "Lil" built it in 1973. Kevin and I purchased it from my parents in 2012 and we have upgraded it with new furniture and appliances; you will find it modern and comfortable. Kevin and I are easy to reach and always available to help with your vacation planning!

Why they chose this property

My grandmother, Lil, built this beautiful island house in the early 70's and I grew up coming to the house every summer with my six cousins and two siblings. We have fond memories of running the seawall chasing porpoises, fishing morning and night, and crabbing with chicken bones with my grandmother. Now my children run the seawalls, catch our dinner, and swim in the very water that we did as children.

What makes this property unique

My uncle designed the house to be like a steamboat with a porch 'deck' all the way around the house, doors in every room that open out onto the 'deck', and water views from every window. The front porch with swing and rocking chairs offers the best sunset view on the island. It also sits so close to the seawall that the adults can sit in the shade (of upstairs or downstairs deck) and watch the kids as they swim, ski, or kayak in front of the house. Because the house is situated on a cul-de-sac, the children can ride their bikes and play safely with other neighborhood kids. The house faces the Mississippi Sound allowing for good fishing and boat access, but is directly across the street from Lafitte Bay which is a no wake zone and allows for great, safe place for kayaking or swimming. The house is just a short two block walk from the Gulf front beaches which gives you the option of a day at the beach or a day of watersports. The kids will also love sandcrabbing on the beach at night!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests