First of all – wear sunscreen. We want you to come back next year and the year after that – so, seriously, wear sunscreen, lots of sunscreen.

That said, you may find after a couple of days on the beach that you need to get a little more exercise and a little less sun. Here are a couple of things you can do to enjoy the area without crisping your nose.

Beach’n’River Canoe & Kayak Rental

Tour the Bon Secour River under the shade of ancient gnarled oaks and cypress dripping with Spanish moss and thick with ambience. Paddle quietly in the shade and enjoy communing close-up with turtles, fish, numerous native birds and the occasional dolphin.

Have a Huck Finn experience in a one-person kayak for only $35 for a 4-hour self-guided tour or go for the tandem, which holds one adult and two small children for $75. The rental office is located at 18743 Keller Road in Foley. Beach’n’River vigilantly maintains the pristine quality of the tour so alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

Fort Morgan

Relive the past as you walk through Fort Morgan – site of the Battle of Mobile Bay during the Civil War. Your tour begins at the museum , open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The museum itself includes a large lighthouse lens and other significant artifacts. Purchase a tour (adults $5, children 6-18 $3, children under 6 are free), and stroll the grounds as well as the interior of the fort. During the first part of April you may be able to participate in the annual Spring bird-banding program to protect endangered native birds.

Fort Morgan is located on Highway 180 at the tip of the peninsula or you can take the ferry from Dauphin Island.