Bayou La Batre, Alabama, is a small fishing village near Mobile and Dauphin Island. Known as the seafood capitol of Alabama this area was part of the inspiration for Forrest Gump.
Bayou La Batre
Historic Bayou La Batre was known in the late 1800s and early 1900s as a resort town with medicinal spring water.
Today, the town is known for seafood. It is often called the "seafood capital of Alabama," and you will see why when you see all the fishing and shrimp boats.
I read that the economic impact on the state of Alabama from the commercial seafood in Bayou La Batre exceeds $80 million a year.
Known as the home of Forrest Gump's friend Bubba, this coastal Alabama town is worth a visit.
The top things to do in Bayou La Batre, Alabama, include seeing the inspiration behind part of Forrest Gump, photography, bird watching, and eating a ton of seafood.
TL;DR Don't have time to read the full article? Here are my top finds:
🏨Hotels and Vacation Rentals
📍Tours
✨What's New in Mobile, AL
Forrest Gump and Other Big Screen Events
Author Winston Groom's book Forrest Gump mentions Bayou La Batre. You may remember from the movie that Forrest's army friend Benjamin Buford "Bubba" Blue lived in Bayou La Batre.
This is the area where Forrest Gump became a shrimp boat captain.
Disney also secretly built a pirate ship for the movie Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl here. The Black Pearl ship was built on a 96-foot-long steel utility boat.
If you are a fan of the Deadliest Catch, you have definitely seen the FV Cornelia Marie a few times. The ship was built in Bayou La Batre in 1989.
Big Shrimpin on The Discovery Channel showcased shrimpers from Bayou La Batre with boats built in town.
Murder Point Oysters
Murder Point Oysters is a family-owned business focused on producing the best oysters possible. They raise oysters in the open waters of Mobile Bay just west of town.
You can get a taste of the bayou with their fresh oysters just out of Mobile Bay.
Address - 13640 N Wintzell Ave, Bayou La Batre, AL
Blessing of the Fleet
There is an annual event each May for the "Blessing of the Fleet" with St. Margaret's Parish. The event begins with a prayer by the Archbishop of the Diocese of Mobile.
The Fleet Blessing queen is crowned, a bell is tolled for each person in the community who has perished at sea.
The Archbishop and other clergy members board a boat and throw a ceremonial wreath into the bayou waters.
Decorated boats form a procession behind the boat with clergy members and parade to the mouth of the bayou and back as the Archbishop blesses the boats.
The event includes Vietnamese cuisine, an arts & craft show, decorated boat contest, Gumbo cook off, boat cruises, and more.
The event lasts a full weekend with great food, boat tours, and more.
Bayou La Batre Restaurants
Restaurants in Bayou La Batre include local restaurants and national chains including Pizza Hut, Subway, Waffle House, and McDonalds.
This list focuses on the local restaurants.
Bayou Seafood Company
Bayou Seafood Company offers crawfish, crab legs, shrimp, burgers and more for dine in or carry out.
Address - 13450 N Wintzell Ave
Lighthouse Restaurant
This local favorite has been serving food for years. They are known for their crab claws.
Make sure to arrive early. They fill up quickly with locals and visitors.
Address - 12495 Padgett Switch Rd, Irvington, AL 36544
Catalina Restaurant
Catalina Bayou Seafood Restaurant offers fresh seafood.
Address - 14060 S Wintzell Ave, Bayou La Batre, AL 36509
Captain Frank's Smoke Shack
Captain Frank's Smoke Shack serves ribs, chicken, BBQ sandwiches, gumbo, and seafood.
Address - 13876 S Wintzell Ave
You will also find chain restaurants in town including Waffle House, Subway, Pizza Hut, McDonalds, and Hardee's.
Bayou La Batre Hotels
One thing to know is there are not accommodations or hotels in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. You will need to look at either Dauphin Island, Theodore, or Mobile, Alabama
We did find some vacation rentals near town.
Things to know when planning a visit
How do you pronounce Bayou La Batre?
When we first moved to Gulf Shores I had to ask how to pronounce Bayou La Batre correctly.
Here is how I was told to pronounce it.... bi YOU LAH BAT tree
Distance from nearby towns:
Dauphin Island - 18.6 miles, 25 minutes
Mobile - 28.2 miles, 31 minutes
Moss Point, MS - 22.7 miles, 31 minutes
Ocean Springs, MS - 43 miles, 47 minutes
Fairhope, AL - 46 miles, 55 minutes
Biloxi, MS - 48 miles, 50 minutes
Gulf Shores - Via I-10 - 75 miles, 90 minutes
Restaurants and Attractions nearby
Bellingrath Gardens - Wander the gorgeous gardens and see this jewel of Southern Alabama.
Best Things to do on Dauphin Island - All of the fun you can enjoy on the island.
Mobile Bay Ferry - Hop on the ferry to Dauphin Island near the entrance to Historic Fort Morgan.
Lighthouse Bakery - One of our favorite bakeries located on Dauphin Island.
Dauphin Island Aquarium - Learn about the sea life that can be found in Mobile Bay and along the Gulf Coast while visiting the aquarium. Wait until you see the touch tank! It is so much fun!
Fort Gaines Civil War Fort - Explore an amazing Civil War fort. You can walk all over this fort including on top to see the epic views of Mobile Bay.
Additional Gulf Coast of Alabama Articles
Things to do in Fort Morgan, Alabama - All of the fun things to do and see while visiting Fort Morgan.
Fort Morgan, AL Restaurants - Check out all of the great places to eat while exploring Fort Morgan.
Things to do in Foley, AL - Don't miss all of the fun to be had in nearby Foley including the amazing Homes Medical Museum and the Railroad Museum.
Things to do in Fairhope, AL - The top things to do in Fairhope, Alabama, include attractions, dining, sunset, wildlife, nature preserves, and so much more
Don't miss our other Gulf Coast destinations, including Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Dauphin Island, Fairhope, Fort Morgan, Foley, Mobile, Bayou La Batre, Alabama, and so many more!
We also have articles on the Emerald Coast of Florida, including Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach, Panama City Beach, Perdido Key, Pensacola, and more.
Keep an eye out for articles on the Gulf Coast of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Florida!
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