Coastal Property Intelligence

WETLAND DELINEATIONS ON THE GULF COAST

Wetland Delineations on the Gulf Coast

There is something deeply romantic about land on the Alabama Gulf Coast. The hush of the marsh at sunset. The way spartina grass bends in a bay breeze. A canal lot where you can almost picture the boat lift, the porch lights, and a Viking, Hatteras, Freeman, Caymas, Invincible, Yellowfin, or Contender waiting at the dock.

But before a buyer dreams too far ahead, I always like to pause and ask one important question: Do we know what the land is telling us?

“The prettiest coastal properties deserve the most thoughtful questions.”

What Is a Wetland Delineation?

A wetland delineation is a professional evaluation that identifies where wetlands begin…

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Gulf Shores Development Moratorium: What Buyers, Investors, Builders, and Landowners Need to Know

By Meredith Folger Amon
Licensed in Alabama and Florida

Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon.

Growth along the Alabama Gulf Coast continues to be one of the most important conversations in real estate. In Gulf Shores, that conversation recently became even more important for buyers, investors, builders, and landowners to understand.

On March 23, 2026, the City of Gulf Shores approved a 12-month pause on accepting certain new development applications while the city begins work on a new city-wide Comprehensive Plan. According to the City, this pause applies to rezonings, new planned unit…

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New Orleans for the Day: One More Reason I Love Living in Orange Beach, Alabama

 

New Orleans Bourbon Street Trip From Orange Beach



One of the things I love most about living in Orange Beach, Alabama is how close we are to so many remarkable Southern destinations. We have the water, boating, beaches, marinas, restaurants, and coastal lifestyle right here at home, yet within a day trip, we can step into an entirely different world.

Last week, I took a day trip to New Orleans, and it reminded me again how special this part of the Gulf Coast truly is. In one day, I went from the relaxed coastal atmosphere of Orange Beach to the historic streets, layered architecture, music, cuisine, and unmistakable energy of New Orleans.

I brought my camera with me and took photos around…

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Ono Island and the Gulf Coast Masters: Why Boating Access Shapes the Way We Live Here 


Fat Chick Sportsfishing Yacht Orange Beach Alabama Gulf Coast Masters Tournament

After photographing the shotgun start of the Gulf Coast Masters fishing tournament at Perdido Pass, I kept thinking about how closely that moment connects to life on Ono Island. The tournament boats, the anglers, the outriggers, the teak transoms, the tower views, and the beautiful Gulf water all tell a story that many Ono Island homeowners understand well.

On Ono Island, boating is not just a weekend activity. It shapes the way people evaluate homes, waterfront lots, docks, lifts, boathouses, bridge clearance, water depth, and access to the Gulf. When I watched those sportfishing yachts head toward open water, I was reminded again why Ono Island…

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The Shotgun Start at Perdido Pass: A Front-Row Look at the Gulf Coast Masters Fishing Tournament

Bimini Babe Fishing Yacht Orange Beach Alabama 

 

Yesterday, I had the best time photographing the shotgun start of the Gulf Coast Masters fishing tournament at Orange Beach, Alabama. I went to Perdido Pass, camera in hand, and watched one beautiful sportfishing yacht after another head out toward the Gulf. The water was that unmistakable Gulf Coast blue-green, the outriggers were raised, the anglers were ready, and the energy was pure coastal excitement.

There is something special about seeing these boats in motion. From the tower views to the teak transoms, polished hulls, tuna towers, fighting chairs, and carefully rigged rods, every detail reflects the passion behind Gulf Coast…

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Ono Island Homes With Boathouses, Private Docks, Seawalls, Bulkheads, and Sandy Beaches


Ono Island Homes with Boathouses Deep Water Access

One of the most beautiful and valuable features of Ono Island real estate is the way many homes connect directly to the water. Some properties offer private docks. Some have covered boathouses. Some have boat lifts designed for larger vessels. Some have seawalls, bulkheads, or sandy beach areas that make the backyard feel like a private coastal retreat.

For buyers who love boating, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, or simply watching the light move across the water, these marine features can completely shape the ownership experience. On Ono Island, the waterfront is not just the view. It is part of how people live.

On Ono Island, a…

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Ono Landing Reopens on Ono Island After New Construction


Ono Landing Ono Island Boat Launch

Today was a notable day on Ono Island in Orange Beach, Alabama. Ono Landing, the island’s boat launch, has reopened after new construction was completed, and the finished result feels clean, practical, and beautifully coastal.

The new launch area immediately caught my eye. The fresh white pilings, wide floating docks, updated ramp access, shoreline stabilization, and bright blue water create the kind of first impression that reflects what so many people love about living on Ono Island. This is not just a place to launch a boat. It is part of the boating rhythm of the island.

On Ono Island, water access is not an afterthought. It is part of the way homeowners experience the…

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Podocarpus Privacy Shrubs on Ono Island: Why They Work So Beautifully in Coastal Landscaping


Ono Island Landscaping Privacy Shrubs

One of the things I appreciate most about Ono Island is the way mature landscaping can completely shape the feeling of a property.  Podocarpus, a beautiful evergreen often used throughout the Gulf Coast as a privacy screen, is a great foundation planting, or soft architectural hedge.

Podocarpus works especially well on Ono Island because it offers that rare combination of structure and softness. It can be trimmed and maintained for a cleaner, more formal look, or allowed to grow more naturally for a layered, coastal garden feel. In this setting, I love how the Podocarpus plays against the mature live oak, palms, hydrangeas, fresh mulch,…

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Why Coastal Buyers Are Comparing Puerto Aventuras, Tulum, Florida and Alabama Gulf Coast Real Estate


 

Coastal Real Estate Is About More Than the Property

Some coastal destinations stay with me because they remind me why people fall in love with waterfront living in the first place. For me, Puerto Aventuras, Mexico is one of those places.

Located along the Riviera Maya between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, Puerto Aventuras offers a marina-centered lifestyle with Caribbean water, boating convenience, walkable restaurants, golf carts, sunshine and a sense of relaxed sophistication. It feels different from the Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast, of course, but the lifestyle priorities are beautifully familiar.

Whether someone is searching…

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Boating on Ole River: The Local Sand Bar Scene Between Ono Island and Orange Beach

Old River Boating Ono Island Orange Beach Alabama Boats anchored in shallow turquoise water on Ole River near Ono Island and Orange Beach, Alabama, with private docks, boathouses, waterfront homes, and summer boating activity.

Ole River, Old River, and the Place Locals Love to Anchor

There are certain places along the Gulf Coast that do not need a sign, a schedule, or an invitation. You just know. Ole River, also called Old River, is one of those places.

Running along the southern and southwestern shoreline of Ono Island and across from Orange Beach, Alabama, Ole River is where many locals go when they are not anchored around Robinson Island. It has its own personality: turquoise water, soft…

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