FAQ’s

Welcome.

We hope that you enjoy your stay and the many amenities, tips, and resources to navigate the area like a local! Take a moment to read below for some great knowledge of the area to help make your vacation a memorable one! Please keep in mind that guests that book DIRECTLY with Kiva Dunes will have access to Kiva Beach Club memberships and all of the amenities they offer.

Kiva Dunes Beach Resort & Golf Course
815 Plantation Road
Gulf Shores, AL 36542

At the Beach
Beach Info to Know

Leave Only Footprints is a non-profit beach cleanup organization. At sunset every evening, their team will pick up and throw away items left on the beach. Leave Only Footprints cleans over 60 miles of coastline. *Please bring in your beach equipment everyday.

*Kiva Beach Club is considered a Restaurant and must abide by the State Health Department rules & the Alabama Beverage Control Licensing laws. Please no outside food or drinks. Thank you for Understanding!

Gulf Coast Weather

sky view of the coast

The warm Gulf Coast is a great place to relax in the sun or hit a few on the golf course. Since Kiva Dunes is located at the end of the Gulf Shores peninsula, weather can be a bit different from the center of town. Check the link below to check our local Weather Radar and Ft. Morgan Forecast.

Beach Access

board walk to the beach

Kiva Beach Accesses:
West Boardwalk –  Available lounger rentals (seasonal) at west boardwalk with BYOB food and drinks.
East BoardwalkCompletely BYOB, bring your own chairs, umbrellas, tent and coolers to the east boardwalk.
Kiva Beach Club BeachNo coolers or food inside the club or beachside service area (there is a free water station in KBC). You can set up chairs in the “Non-service” beach area (to the right).


* The reason for no food or drinks in Kiva Beach Club is because KBC is considered a Restaurant and we have to abide by the same State rules as other restaurants. That’s why KBC is not allowed to let folks in with their own food and liquor. Thank you for understanding!

 

Beach Rentals

two women lounging at the beach

For Beach Lounger Rentals, please see the beach attendant after 9am to make a chair reservation. If the attendant is not readily available, please have a seat in a chair that does not have a table. The attendant will be with you shortly. Please check with the Kiva Beach Club Bar if you have further questions.

West Beach Lounger Rentals: 251-223-6906    

Kiva Beach Club Lounger Rentals251-752-2038

Paddle Boards & Kayak Rentals:
 Go-Go Kayaks: 251-540-7529

Beach Wheelchair Rentals
Beach Power Rentals: 251-978-2953

Bicycle Rentals
Tiki Bike Shack: 251-240-0506 
Beach Bike Rentals: 251-968-1770

Let’s Eat


Grocery Stores

family shopping

Need some snack for the beach? There is a Rouse’s Market located on Hwy 59 and Ft. Morgan Rd. If you want to grab supplies for a night of grilling check out the experts at The Butcher’s Block on the way to Kiva Dunes. Need some basic necessities? We also have two Dollar General  stores in the area. We have recently had a new store open about two miles away and they do offer produce options & online pickup through their app.

Dollar General also has a second location that is located around ten miles ten miles away from the resort. Sassy Bass Marketplace is local grocery store located just west, and the Pines Grocery & Hardware is another local general store east of Kiva Dunes that can also help you check off all the necessities on your list. Don’t feel like going out? 

 

Gulf Coast Seafood

Fish Tacos

Most local grocery stores have fresh seafood but if you don’t mind a drive then we recommend traveling to Bon Secour which is located about 30 miles north. Billy’s Seafood is a favorite among our owners and locals. Straight from the boat, Billy’s is a quaint bayside market & is located in one of Baldwin County’s oldest fishing villages. For something closer, try Fresh Market Seafood, Blalock Seafood, or Gulf Shores Seafood.

Breakfast

Breakfast

egg break first

Kiva Grill is located onsite and inside Kiva Lodge. The Grill offers Breakfast and Brunch from 7am-11am and early dinners (hours vary by season). The restaurant overlooks the 18th green of Kiva Dunes Golf Course and the largest lake. Click this link to view our  Breakfast Menu.

Dine in or Takeout • 251-543-7211

Lunch & Dinner

Lunch & Dinner

waitress serving food

Kiva Dunes has two restaurants on-site. Kiva Grill located at our main building, Kiva Lodge, offers lunch & early dinner after 11PM and pizza after 4PM daily. Click this link to view our Lunch Menu & To-Go Menu.

Kiva Beach Club Restaurant has a full kitchen and bar with outdoor seating to give you amazing views of the Gulf of Mexico. Both of our on-site restaurants feature mouth watering daily lunch specials & our kitchens are open from 11am until Sunset. Click the link to view our menu.

*Please note Kiva Beach Club is open seasonally from March 1 – November 30.

Kiva Grill251-543-7211 

Kiva Beach Club Restaurant  • 251-543-1288

Activities


Trails & Excursions

bird flying over golf course

Kiva Dunes is fortunate to neighbor the Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge. We recommend checking out the birding trails at  Pine Beach Trail near Kiva or Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail at The Gulf State Park. If you are feeling like traveling a little farther, hop on the Ft. Morgan Ferry to travel to the Audubon Bird Sanctuary or Ft. Morgan’s sister site, Fort Gaines.

On The Water

couple parasailing

Parasailing: 
Chute Em Up: 201-616-3613
Southern Rose Parasailing: 251-981-7673

Charter Fishing:
Fish Trap Charters: 251-550-8887 
Ft. Morgan Marina: 251-540-2628

Dolphin Cruise:
Bear Point Harbor: 251-943-3510
Southern Rose Dolphin Tours: 251-981-7673
Sunny Lady Dolphin Cruises: 251-589-7117

Helicopter Tours
Lost Bay Helicopters: 772-834-4497

Family Fun

Family Fun

mom and son walking on the beach

Gulf Shores is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and Kiva Dunes is no exception. Browse the Kiva Beach Club Event Calendar for a full list of on-site activities & events. From roller coasters at OWA to the towering waterslides at Waterville, Gulf Shores offers fun for everyone. Show the kids who’s boss by racing go-karts at The Track or walk around the all new Gulf Coast Zoo. For more information on activities, please visit Gulf Shores Tourism. 

Babysitting ServicesBaywatch Babysitting, LLC: 740-497-7188
Baby Item Rentals: Baby Beach Rentals: 866-955-2229

Rainy Day Options

Rainy days are a bummer on your beach vacation, but it doesn’t have to stop the fun! Set aside most of a day for serious shopping at the Foley Tanger Outlets. Knock off an item on your bucket list at The Coastal Art Center of Orange Beach and Blow Your Own Glass or take a Pottery Class. Take the Ft. Morgan Ferry to a sleepy island and tour the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.

Fun & Games

If gaming is more your speed, try the Starcade at Waterville, the Arcade at the Track, Fat Daddy’s Arcade on Beach Blvd, or travel to experience the unique Owa’s Clash eSports Center for indoor gaming or Fun Factory for something more active. Another perfect rainy day option is to check out one of Gulf Shores awesome escape rooms.

Family Fun

XIT Escape Room: 251-752-5326
Gulf Coast Escape Room: 251-979-7737 
Breakout Games: 251-929-8330
Escape Waterville: 251-948-3712

Nightlife
Local Bars

drink on top of the bar

If you enjoy craft beer, Big Beach Brewery is a local favorite. On the other side of the island you will find the infamous FloraBama, and in the center of town the well-known Pink Pony Pub. The Wharf in Orange Beach offers many bars within walking distance of each other. But if you are looking for a small local dive on the water with a late night kitchen, we suggest The Flying Harpoon.

Taxi Services

golfcart

Other than Lyft or Uber
A Better Cab: 251-979-1561
Beach Buggy: 251-228-1417
Bayside Taxi: 251-228-1417
Coast Cab: 251-550-0500

Party Bus Rentals
CrozzzzCabz: 251-979-5974
Luxury Limo, LLC: 251-968-6994
Gulf Shores Party Bus & Limousine: 850-529-4975

Historical Sites
USS Alabama

USS Alabama

If you are a history buff, we might suggest taking a tour around The Battleship Park, USS Alabama Memorial. It is located in Mobile, AL and their mission is establish, operate and maintain a state memorial park to honor the Alabamians who participated so valiantly in all armed conflicts of the United States…and, as a permanent public memorial, to educate the public on the contributions and sacrifices of the veterans of all branches of the United States Armed Services in all conflicts

USS Alabama:  1.800.GANGWAY

Fort Morgan

drone shot of Fort Morgan

Battlefield of The Battle of Mobile Bay, it’s the location that the famous words of Admiral Farragut were yelled, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.” Explore the fort and relive the Civil War battle or catch a battle reenactment on the anniversary of the battle each year.

Fort Morgan:  251-861-3000

Events


Ballyhoo Fine Arts Festival

Photography Credit: Ballyhoo Arts Festival

Kick-off festival season with Ballyhoo! This exciting festival event is unique in its focus on fine art, combined with cultural charm, and the fun-loving spirit of residents of Coastal Alabama! Enjoy fine art from all across the southeast, local seafood, and live music! Join us and you, too, will Ballyhoo! This years festival will take place March 5th-6th.

Ballyhoo Fine Arts Festival: ballyhoofestival.org 

Flora-Bama Fishing Rodeo

Photography Credit: Ballyhoo Arts Festival

The Flora-Bama Fishing Rodeo is a three day Captain’s Choice tournament with anglers competing for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in thirty categories including red snapper. Accompanying the tournament will be a three day beach party and awards ceremony that will include daily weigh-ins with fish viewing area, live music, great food, vendor booths and hospitality done in true Flora-Bama fashion. This festival normally takes place June 10-12th.

Flora-Bama Fishing Rodeo: 251-980-5222
www.florabama.com/fishing-rodeo

Orange Beach Arts Festival

Photography Credit: Ballyhoo Arts Festival

The Orange Beach Festival of Art celebrates an extraordinary amount of arts including visual, performing, musical and culinary. With more than 100 vendors displaying a variety of media, festival attendees will have plenty to see, touch, taste and hear. The event also has a kid’s art alley, a culinary arts court featuring local fare, and a music and songwriter’s stage. This festival normally takes place March 12 & 13th.

Orange Beach Arts Festival: 251-981-2787
www.orangebeachal.gov/facilities/festival-arts/about.com

Family Fun

Interstate Mullet Toss

Photography Credit: Flora-Bama Mullet Toss

Get ready for a revived interstate mullet toss! This year, we’re letting it all fly! The Interstate Mullet Toss & Gulf Coast’s Greatest Beach Party is legendary. What started as just a reason to party has become one of the biggest beach parties on the coast. Those who participate in the Mullet Toss will throw a dead mullet over the state line of Florida and Alabama to see who gets the farthest. This years festival will take place April 22-24th.

Interstate Mullet Toss: 251-980-5118
www.florabama.com/mullet-toss

The Shrimp Festival

Photography Credit: Shrimp Festival Instagram

The Shrimp Festival is a volunteer-driven event has been a tradition on the beautiful beaches of Coastal Alabama. Food, music, art, and so much more make up an action packed weekend with nearly 250,000 of your closest friends. This years festival will take place October 7th-10th.

Shrimp Festival: 251-948-7200
www.myshrimpfest.com 

Christmas Lighted Boat Parade

Photography Credit: LuLu's Christmas Parade"

Celebrate the holidays like a local this holiday at the Annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parade. In true Gulf Coast style, with brightly decorated boats to light the night and spread Christmas cheer! The boats will leave LuLu’s Gulf Shores at dusk and head to the Wharf in Orange Beach. Great viewing locations include LuLu’s, Tacky Jacks Gulf Shores, Acme Oyster House, and The Wharf. You may also line up down Canal Road to watch the boats go by. This festival normally takes place December 12th.

Christmas Lighted Boat Parade: 251-967-5858

Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras In Gulf Shores

Photography Credit: Lulu's Mardi Gras Parade

Moon pies and mystics. Beads and boat parades. We’re talking Mardi Gras, Alabama beaches style. With the birthplace of Carnival just a short drive away in Mobile, Alabama, many of the rich traditions of the holiday have trickled over to Alabama’s white-sand beaches. Experience bright costumes, Mardi Gras balls and colorful parades with coastal flair. If you’ve never seen a Mardi Gras boat parade, then this is your chance! Carnival on the coast has something for both the adults and the kids.. Mardi Gras begins on February 28th.

Gulf Shores Mardi Gras: www.gulfshores.com

Hangout Music Festival

Photography Credit: Hangout Music Festival

The Hangout Music Festival is an annual three-day music festival held in May at the public beaches of Gulf Shores directly accompanying its sister restaurant The Hangout. The festival is produced by Sean O’Connell in partnership with Goldenvoice. If you aren’t able to catch the festival then head on down to the Hangout Restaurant for fun events such as live music & family fun all year round.

Hangout Restaurant:  251.948.3030
www.hangoutmusicfest.com

Gulf Coast Calendar of Events

Photo Courtesy of Lulu's Bar & Grill"

There’s always something to do, see, and experience on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. To find the best events in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, look no further than our Gulf Coast events calendar. Check out all of the local happenings, plan a trip around one of our fun upcoming events, and fill your vacation with fun, adventure, and Southern hospitality.

Calendar of Events: 1-800-745-SAND
www.gulfshores.com/events-calendar 

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the cancellation policy? The cancellation must be made 30 days prior to the arrival date in order to receive a refund.
  2. How many parking passes will I receive? Typically, 2 to 4 passes are given per property.
  3. Is there Wi-Fi available in my unit/property? All Kiva Dunes rental properties have internet service.
  4. How and where do I check in? Kiva Dunes rental office is located at 815 Plantation Rd. It will be the first door to the right when you enter the Clubhouse/Lodge building. The office is opened and staffed daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
  5. What is the after office hours check-in procedure? You will come to the rental office at 815 Plantation Rd and when you enter the building, on your immediate left there will be an ATM and a basket where all after hour check-in packets are located. You will find a Kiva Dunes folder with your name on the outside. All of your items for checking in will be inside the packet. We suggest that you visit the office the following morning to officially check in.
  6. How many keys will I receive? Typically 2 keys are given for most properties, depending on size.

Cnt.

  1. How does housekeeping work? The property/unit will be cleaned prior to your arrival and after your departure. The cleaning fee is included in the cost of your reservation.
  2. Are pets allowed? Kiva Dunes does not allow any pets for our rental guests.
  3. What do I do if I have an issue during my stay? Please call the office at 251-540-7100 to report any issues so they can be taken care of. In case of an emergency, you can call our Security Guard at 251-540-2340 or 251-752-4661. Please dial 911 if the emergency is a life safety issue.
  4. Are there any additional perks with my reservation? As a Kiva guest, you will receive a discounted rate on the golf fees and preferred tee times (except during peak golf season) – please call the Golf Shop for current rates at 251-540-7000.
  5. What is nearby Kiva Dunes? Kiva Dunes is located on a peninsula that includes state parks and wildlife refuges. Also located on the peninsula are Gulf Shores Yacht and Marina, Tacky Jacks restaurant, The Beach Club restaurant, The Pines restaurant, liquor and general store, Peninsula Golf Club, Gulf Shores Golf Club, Dollar General, Chevron gas station, and historic Fort Morgan State Park.