PERDIDO PASS IN LATE SEPTEMBER: “THE WATCHERS ON THE WALL”

By Meredith Folger Amon — Orange Beach, Alabama

Coastal birds on the seawall at Perdido Pass with The Gulf restaurant and the bridge in the background.

I made this photograph at the end of September, standing along the seawall at Perdido Pass in Orange Beach, Alabama. The day had that clean, post-summer light I love on the Gulf—blue on blue—and a soft northeast breeze that kept the surface groomed. Fishing boats and a few yachts slid in and out of the pass beyond the frame. To my left, the white umbrellas and palms of The Gulf restaurant fluttered like little signals of shore life; ahead, the Perdido Pass Bridge arced across the water, carrying the day’s traffic toward Ono Island and back again.

But the subject here isn’t the bridge, the boats, or the restaurant. It’s the coastal birds…

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Perdido Pass in Orange Beach, Alabama: Pass Conditions, Sandbar Shifts & What It Means for Small vs. Deep-Draft Boats


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

Perdido Pass is the gateway between our back bays and the Gulf. Living and working in Orange Beach and around Ono Island, I run this pass often and help clients plan for its changing conditions. Channels are marked, but bars and shoals migrate—especially after strong fronts or tropical systems. Below is a practical, boat-owner’s guide to what typically shifts, how storms reshape things, and how small craft versus deeper-draft boats and yachts can plan a safer, smoother run.

Perdido Pass Storm Changes Orange Beach Alabama

For…

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1031 Exchanges and Capital Gains Taxes on the Gulf Coast

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

1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges Gulf Coast

Introduction: Why This Matters to Gulf Coast Investors

Over the years, I’ve worked with many investors along the Gulf Coast, and one of the biggest questions I get is: How do I minimize my tax liability when buying and selling property? The answer often comes down to one strategy — the 1031 tax deferred exchange.

If you’re investing in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Ono Island, or crossing into Florida markets like Destin, 30A, or Pensacola, understanding how capital gains taxes differ between Alabama and Florida can make a major impact on…

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NAVIGATING BOATS AROUND ORANGE BEACH & PERDIDO PASS: A LOCAL GUIDE

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

I run these waters constantly—Orange Beach, Ono Island, Perdido Pass, and the back bays—and I keep a running list of notes to help friends and clients make confident, courteous runs. Below is my first-person guide to reading the water, understanding markers and wake zones, and knowing where extra caution pays off across Perdido Pass, the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), Ole River, Bayou St. John, Terry Cove, Cotton Bayou, the canals, and the open Gulf.

Boating Orange Beach Alabama

Heads-up: Conditions change with tide, wind, and storms. This guidance is local…

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Muck, Sea Grass, and Barnacle Cycles on Lifts & Seawalls (Orange Beach & Ono Island)

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

Living and working on the water in Orange Beach and along Ono Island, I see the same seasonal story play out on boat lifts and seawalls: spring warmth wakes up growth, summer accelerates it, fall storms push wrack into corners, and winter finally gives us a breather. Below is how I set expectations with buyers and owners—and the simple, realistic maintenance cadence I use myself—so small messes don’t become big repairs.

For on slip layouts, lifts, and canal living, see my boating guide: Boating Amenities on the Gulf…

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How Captains Run a Boat in Orange Beach (Lessons Learned from Local Pros)


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

Running the waters around Orange Beach, across Old River by Ono Island, and out the pass into the Gulf is a masterclass taught daily by seasoned captains—tow operators, charter skippers, and neighbors with thousands of local hours. The practices below reflect what those captains consistently do and the lessons they’ve shared.

Boating and Yachts Orange Beach Alabama Wharf

Reading the Water (What Experienced Captains Watch)

  • Color & texture: Greener/clearer often means deeper; tan or tea-colored water with tight ripples (“cat’s paws”) can mark shoals. A narrow…

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Beach and Bay Water Clarity by Season in Orange Beach – 2025 Month-by-Month Guide

Overview

In Orange Beach, the water can look anything from emerald green to clear Caribbean blue, depending on the month, weather, and tides. As a Gulf Coast homeowner and real estate advisor, I’ve learned that knowing these patterns can help you plan the best days for boating, fishing, or even photography. Here’s a practical guide to understanding when and why the water looks its best.

Orange Beach Alabama Water Clarity Ocean Guide

Key Questions

  • Which months usually bring the clearest, bluest water in Orange Beach?

  • Why does the water sometimes look like the Caribbean?

  • Can weather or tide patterns help predict water clarity?

  • What are the differences between Gulf waters…

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STUCCO HOMES ON THE GULF COAST: KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND BULLET POINTS

By Meredith Folger Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida


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


I help buyers and sellers evaluate stucco homes from Orange Beach to Gulf Shores and Ono Island. Here are the most important points I coach clients on when it comes to stucco performance, maintenance, and prevention on the coast.



Stucco Homes Gulf Coast


Big Idea

  • It’s not about “stucco vs. EIFS.” Performance comes down to installation and detailing: terminations at grade, flashing at roof-to-wall, window/door sealing, drainage paths, and ongoing maintenance.

Immediate Red Flags

  • Stucco touching the ground (soil or mulch)…

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Insurance, Hurricanes, and Gulf Coast Real Estate: Lessons from Ivan and Sally

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

After Hurricanes Ivan (2004) and Sally (2020), many Gulf Coast homeowners began asking the same questions about insurance coverage, premiums, and building standards. While the storms brought challenges, they also pushed our communities toward smarter building and better protection. Here are some of the most common questions I hear from homeowners and buyers in Orange Beach, Ono Island, Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan, and Dauphin Island.

Orange Beach Alabama Hurricanes Sally Ivan

Common Questions About Insurance After Ivan and Sally

Q: Did Ivan and Sally change how insurance…

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GULF COAST STUCCO HOMES: WHAT TO LOOK FOR, MAINTAIN, AND PREVENT

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

Stucco can perform beautifully on the Gulf Coast when it’s installed and detailed correctly. The biggest lesson I share with buyers and sellers is this: it’s rarely about “stucco vs. EIFS.” It’s about the details—how the system terminates at grade, how roof-to-wall joints are flashed, how windows and doors are sealed, and how water is managed over time. If you’re buying or selling a stucco home in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, or on Ono Island, a professional stucco inspection is one of the smartest moves you can make.

Ono Island Stucco Homes Real Estate


The number-one red…

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