The idea started like all good ones do: on the back of a napkin. “One Saturday afternoon a decade ago, a buddy and I were on a boat, listing off the local places that you get to by water,” says Thomas Toombs. “I just kept adding to it and adding to it over the years.” Toombs, an avid boater, had an extensive knowledge of the best local places to visit, eat and stay by boat. As he named all the different places he knew of, he realized that it wasn’t common knowledge and the information certainly wasn’t easily accessible. “I began to think, ‘Why has no one pulled all of this stuff together?’” he said. So, he decided to be the one to do it.
Toombs launched Dockside Guide, a resource for all the restaurants and businesses in the area that are accessible by boat, last year at The Wharf Boat and Yacht Show in Orange Beach. A combination of materials — printed booklets with listings, maps with markers, signage in front of recommended stops and posts on social media — helps spread the word on the best way to explore the Bay area by boat.
Toombs’ goal is to get visitors and residents to explore the unique coastal offerings and try something new with confidence. “Even the guys that live here and boat a lot go to the same three or four restaurants all the time,” he says. “Nobody wants to deal with the uncertainty of somewhere new, but there’s so much more our area offers, so we tell them all about it.” According to Toombs, there are about 40 places between Mobile Bay and Perdido Key with direct water access, and he wants everyone to try them out for themselves.
Toombs’ love of the water is personal. Growing up spending time at his grandma’s cottage in Bell Fontaine by the Bay in Mobile, he loved staying near the water, sleeping outside in a hammock most nights. After years in neighboring states, he came back to the Bay area for a job, and, with the water and the memories, it felt just like home.
His favorite ways to spend a day out on the water vary. For a family-friendly afternoon, he enjoys going down Mobile Bay across the Intracoastal Waterway to Bon Secour River to Tin Top. On lazy summer days, he likes to putt down Dog River to the Grand Mariner. On weekends, Pirates Cove and the Flora-Bama are must-visits, and during the week, anchoring on Fort McRee to watch the Blue Angels practice is a treat. No matter the situation, he knows where to go.
Toombs’ love of the water and the Mobile Bay area turned a passion into a job, and he never tires of expounding the area’s treasures. “We all know that Orange Beach, Dauphin Island, Gulf Shores, Mobile Bay and the Delta are really cool,” he says. “But until I really started comparing it to other places, I didn’t realize how cool it was. We can boat year round. We have sandy bottoms, so you don’t have to worry about hitting coral or stuff like that for tearing up your boat. And the water is beautiful. We’re lucky.”
Visit docksideguide.com for more summer suggestions for local boaters
Thomas Toombs’ Must-Haves for Boat Days
After knowing where to go, keeping a well-prepared boat is the next step to the perfect day out on the water. Thomas Toombs breaks down his favorite things that make for smooth sailing.
1. Huck bucket
Ultra durable, this 5-gallon bucket is made to last — perfect for storage, cleaning and more.
2. Clayton & Crume Monogrammed Sunglass Strap
Keep your sunglasses within reach and wear them in style with this water-safe sunglasses strap that softens with wear.
3. Poncho Outdoors Ultra-Lite Shirt
Stay stylish and well-dressed on the water in this collared shirt made for fishing. Bonus: pick up the new “Fairhope” pattern!
4. LL Bean Boat and Tote Zip-Top
Thick canvas and reinforced handles make this tote a must-have on any boat day.
5. Pabst Blue Ribbon
You know what Toombs and his friends say: “It’s not bad beer. It’s good water!”
6. Bajio Sunglasses
With a variety of styles and colors, this brand of sunglasses are Toombs’ recommendation for bright, sunny days.
7. Ocean Tamer Marine Bean Bag
Sit on board or on the beach in comfort with this oversized bean bag tailor made for rough waves and an elevated experience.
8. Duck Camp Large Mesh Gear Tote
This tote bag’s heavy-duty, water-resistant mesh makes it durable enough to hold all your wet fishing gear or beach toys.
9. Bedrock Rockhound Adventure Sandals
For supportive sandals footwear, Toombs turns to these sandals that will keep you (comfortably) on your feet all day.
10. Neutrogena Sport Face Sunscreen
Toombs swears by this sunscreen for long days. It has an SPF of 70+ and is sweat-resistant/water resistant.
11. Manta Racks Boat Rod & Gear Racks
These racks make it easy to store and transport rods, paddleboards and boat gear.
12. SOS Screens Shade On Ship Sunshade
The stretchy, UPF 50+ material and multiple ways to attach or hang make this boat screen a foolproof way to avoid a major sunburn after hours on the tide.
