New to Boating on the Gulf Coast? Here’s What You Need to Operate Legally in Alabama

Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Amon.

If you're planning to operate a boat in Alabama, whether you're a resident or just enjoying a day on the water in places like Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, or Perdido Bay, it’s important to understand the legal requirements. Here's a clear breakdown:

Alabama Boating Requirements

Boater’s License (Mandatory for All Operators)

In Alabama, all motorized vessel operators—including personal watercraft (PWC) like Jet Skis—must possess a boating license if they are 12 years of age or older.

How to Get a Boating License in Alabama:

  1. Take a…

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The 2025 Gulf Coast Masters: A Premier MBGFC Tradition on Alabama’s Coast

By Meredith Amon, Gulf Coast Real Estate Advisor 

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

Mobile Big Game Fishing Club Memorial Day Weekend 2025

Each year, one tournament stands out as the signature kickoff to the Gulf Coast’s deep-sea fishing season—the Gulf Coast Masters, hosted by none other than the Mobile Big Game Fishing Club (MBGFC). This Memorial Day weekend tradition isn’t just about who lands the biggest marlin—it’s about legacy, sport, and the remarkable community of anglers who return to Orange Beach Marina each spring to compete, connect, and celebrate the lifestyle that defines this coast.

A Tournament Backed by Heritage and Prestige

The MBGFC is one of the most…

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Gulf Shores Takes Flight: What New Commercial Air Service Means for Gulf Coast Real Estate

By Meredith Amon, Gulf Coast Real Estate Advisor
Licensed in Alabama & Florida 

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

GUlf Shores Alabama Airport Commercial Flights

For decades, Gulf Shores has been one of the Gulf Coast’s best-kept secrets—accessible mostly by car or private aircraft, cherished by those who made the extra effort to reach our pristine beaches, quiet canals, and authentic coastal lifestyle. As someone who lives here on Ono Island and works daily with buyers and sellers throughout Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Perdido Key, I’ve seen firsthand how this seclusion added to our charm, while also presenting some logistical limitations for those…

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Interest Rates, GDP, and the Housing Market: A Strategic Outlook for Gulf Coast Real Estate

By Meredith Amon
Licensed in Alabama & Florida | Gulf Coast Real Estate Advisor 

In luxury real estate, timing the market is about more than just watching listing trends. It requires understanding the deeper relationship between macroeconomic forces—like GDP growth and monetary policy—and the local housing market. As someone who lives and works on the Gulf Coast, I watch these signals closely because they directly shape the behavior of buyers, sellers, and lenders alike.

This year, the conversation has turned sharply toward interest rates, inflation moderation, and political pressure to stimulate economic growth. And with President Donald Trump…

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Margaritaville Resort Breaks Ground at The Wharf: A New Era Begins in Orange Beach


By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
SearchTheGulf.com


Margaritaville Resort Orange Beach Alabama

On May 15, 2025, I stood at The Wharf in Orange Beach and watched history in the making. Construction officially began on what promises to be one of the most dynamic and game-changing resort communities on Alabama’s Gulf Coast—Margaritaville Resort Orange Beach.

For those of us who live, work, and play here, this isn’t just another development—it’s a bold reimagining of what coastal living and vacationing can look like. With its roots in music, relaxation, and escape, the Margaritaville brand is now anchoring a $300+ million lifestyle destination that blends fun, function, and coastal…

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Overflow Parking Options Along Alabama’s Beaches


By Meredith Amon | Gulf Coast Real Estate Advisor – Licensed in Alabama & Florida

Orange Beach Alabama Parking

Parking along Alabama’s stunning Gulf Coast can be tricky, especially during peak season when visitors bring more cars, golf carts, and even trailered boats than many vacation properties can accommodate. I often help second-home buyers and rental property owners plan for overflow parking—and now, I’ve compiled this go-to list of secure and reliable options for parking extra vehicles near Orange Beach and Gulf Shores.


 Parking Lots for Extra Vehicles

These businesses in Orange Beach offer designated spaces for cars—and some even allow trailers and boats:

…
Business Phone City CARS BOATS RVS

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Understanding Deeds in Alabama Foreclosure Sales: What Buyers Need to Know


By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida

Alabama Foreclosures and Deeds Real Estate

If you’re thinking about purchasing a foreclosed property through a bank in Orange Beach or anywhere along Alabama’s Gulf Coast, it’s important to go beyond price and location and focus on one of the most critical elements of the transaction: the type of deed you'll receive at closing.

In Alabama, bank-owned properties (often referred to as REO—Real Estate Owned) come with their own unique set of legal considerations. One of the most important? The type of deed used to convey ownership—and how it affects your rights, your risk, and your plans, especially if you want to build or renovate quickly.

Types of Deeds…

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Why the Cabo 35 Express Is a Standout Sportfishing Yacht for Orange Beach and Ono Island

By Meredith Amon | Gulf Coast Real Estate Advisor – Licensed in Alabama & Florida

Orange Beach Alabama Cabo Express Yacht

Living on Ono Island and spending countless hours on the water here in Orange Beach, I’ve come to appreciate the boats that strike the perfect balance between performance, function, and beauty. One vessel that consistently turns heads—and delivers on every front—is the Cabo 35 Express. Whether you’re chasing marlin in the Gulf or cruising over to Robinson Island, this sportfishing yacht is a true standout.


What Makes the Cabo 35 Perfect for the Gulf Coast

The Cabo 35 Express was built with both offshore performance and coastal comfort in mind. At 37'6" overall with a …

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What You Need to Know About Buying Bank-Owned Vacant Land in Orange Beach, Alabama: Understanding the Right of Redemption and Bonding Options


By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida

Alabama Right of Redemption Foreclosures Banks

Vacant land opportunities in Orange Beach, Alabama are becoming more rare—and more desirable—by the day. Whether you’re looking to build a custom home, develop an investment property, or secure your piece of the Gulf Coast lifestyle, the chance to acquire bank-owned or foreclosed land at a discounted price may seem like an ideal opportunity.

However, if you’re considering building immediately on a recently foreclosed lot, it’s essential to understand how Alabama’s Right of Redemption laws may affect your plans—and how certain protections, such as a…

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Golden Hour on Ole River: A Slice of Paradise in Orange Beach


By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida

Ole River Sunset Orange Beach Alabama

Last night, I found myself barefoot at the end of a wharf, quietly taking in the golden hour over Ole River in Orange Beach, Alabama. The air was soft and warm, laced with that familiar salty breeze, and the sky reflected back in layers of gold, blue, and blush on the calm water below. From where I sat, I had an unobstructed view—Ono Island to my left, a pair of pelicans gliding overhead, and a few boats returning home at idle speed, their wakes gently folding into the shoreline.

This is one of those moments that stays with you. The kind of quiet that’s not empty, but full. Full of gratitude, rhythm, and perspective. The…

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