THE BOATER’S FIELD MANUAL TO ONO ISLAND’S SIX CANALS
_(800_x_150_px)_(2).gif)
How boats actually reach these canals
If your dock is on the north side of Ono Island, your boat lives on water that empties directly into Bayou St. John. From there you run east or west—Perdido Pass, Terry Cove, Cotton Bayou, and the Perdido Key side—without ever needing to go anywhere near the Ono Island automobile bridge. In practice, canal owners rarely pass under the Ono bridge at all. So think bayou routes, not bridge clearances.
Quick orientation: the six north canals (west → east)
-
Canal 1 – St. John Dr & Heron Ct (near the island’s west side)
-
Canal 2 – Ono Blvd, Ono North Loop W, plus 5 homes on River Rd
-
Canal 3 – Shoalwater Dr
-
Canal 4 – Sandpiper Dr, Sandy Key, Turtle Key & River Rd (connects to Canal 3 & 5)
-
Canal 5 – Sandpiper Dr, River Rd & Marlin Key (connects to Canal 4 & 6)
-
Canal 6 – Marlin Key & River Rd (east-most of the chain)
Two interior sections are bridge-locked (low neighborhood bridges): Turtle Key lots 11–21 and Unit 13 lots 9–21. Everything else on this north chain opens to Bayou St. John with no interior bridge to duck.
At-a-glance specs & best-fit boats
Depths/widths are typical, not surveyed; bottoms are sand/silt. Always verify soundings at your slip, especially after storms.
| Canal | Primary streets | Typical canal width | Typical depths (MLW)* | Best-fit boat classes | Examples (length/beam/draft) | Practical size guidance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. John Dr, Heron Ct | 60–80 ft at interior; wider at mouth | 5–7 ft interior; 6–9 ft near mouth | 24–32’ bay boats, 26–31’ dual consoles, 27–30’ offshore singles/twins (no tower) | Pathfinder 2600 TRS (26’/9’/1′5″), Grady-White 275/285, Regulator 28 | Up to ~32’ LOA, ~10’ beam, ~3′ draft comfortable; quickest run to pass/ICW |
| 2 | Ono Blvd, Ono North Loop W, 5 on River Rd | 55–70 ft | 5–6 ft | 22–30’ bay & hybrid CCs, 26–30’ DCs | Boston Whaler 280 Dauntless, Cobia 280 DC, Sea Hunt BX 25 BR | Up to ~30’ LOA; good turning radius; protected but “open” feel |
| 3 | Shoalwater Dr | 45–55 ft, with gentle bends | 4.5–5.5 ft | 20–26’ bay boats, 22–26’ pontoons, flats skiffs | Pathfinder 2300/2400, Bennington 23–25, Maverick HPX | ~26’ LOA sweet spot; easy handling; quietest wake vibes |
| 4 | Sandpiper Dr, Sandy Key, Turtle Key, River Rd (links to 3 & 5) | 45–60 ft depending on leg | 4–6 ft (but bridge-locked on Turtle Key 11–21 & Unit 13 9–21) | Open legs: 22–28’ bay/DC. Bridge-locked legs: low-profile pontoons, bay boats, skiffs | Grady-White 251 CE, Scout 255 Dorado; bridge-locked: Harris/Bennington 23–25, flats skiffs | Open legs: ~28–30’ ok. Bridge-locked: keep low profile, ~26–28’ max, shallow draft |
| 5 | Sandpiper Dr, River Rd, Marlin Key (links to 4 & 6) | 55–65 ft | 5–6 ft | 22–30’ bay & hybrid CCs/DCs; some 30–32’ workable | World Cat 295CC (draft ~1′8″), Cobia 301CC (mind height), Sea Pro 259 | Up to ~32’ LOA where width allows; nice circulation via 4 & 6 |
| 6 | Marlin Key, River Rd (east end) | 55–65 ft (widens near bayou) | 5–6+ ft | 22–30’ bay/DC; 27–30’ offshore singles/twins on lower profiles | Regulator 28 (draft ~2′), Pursuit DC 266/295, Sea Hunt Gamefish 27 | Up to ~32’ LOA realistic; easy hop to east/west bayou routes |
*MLW = approximate mean low water. Tides/winds can swing draft needs by 6–12″.
Canal-by-canal detail (with pros/cons)
Canal 1 — St. John Drive & Heron Court (Most “big-water” feel)
-
Character: Widest mouth; fastest shot to ICW/Perdido Pass. Pretty sunsets and light chop from bayou traffic.
-
Boats: 24–32’ bay & dual consoles are common; 27–30’ offshore singles/twins without high towers work nicely.
-
Pros: Deepest feel at the mouth; great circulation; widest array of boat choices.
-
Cons: Slightly more breeze/wake exposure than interior legs.
Canal 2 — Ono Blvd, Ono North Loop West (+ five on River Rd)
-
Character: Protected yet roomy. Breezy orientation keeps summer decks cooler.
-
Boats: 22–30’; many 28–30’ dual consoles and hybrid CCs.
-
Pros: Easy docking, fair turning radius, balanced protection/access.
-
Cons: Fewer oversized slips; verify beam/turning at specific homes.
Canal 3 — Shoalwater Drive (Quiet curve, family-friendly)
-
Character: Gentle bends through mature pines; glassy morning water.
-
Boats: 20–26’ bay boats, 22–26’ pontoons, and skiffs.
-
Pros: Ultra calm; minimal wakes; paddling/kid-friendly.
-
Cons: Narrower turning for >26’; verify mid-channel depth at low water.
Canal 4 — Sandpiper • Sandy Key • Turtle Key • River Road (hub linking 3 & 5)
-
Character: Scenic with fringe wetlands; several sub-legs.
-
Bridge-locked sections: Turtle Key lots 11–21 and Unit 13 lots 9–21—low neighborhood bridges.
-
Boats:
-
Open legs: 22–28’ bay/DC; some 30’ workable.
-
Bridge-locked legs: low-profile boats—pontoons, bay boats without tall tops, skiffs, PWCs.
-
-
Pros: Very protected water; wildlife; handsome boathouses; great for relaxing, entertaining.
-
Cons: Bridge-locked legs limit height; plan for easy-fold biminis and short masts.
Canal 5 — Sandpiper • River Road • Marlin Key (good flow; links to 4 & 6)
-
Character: Slightly wider feel; steady water exchange.
-
Boats: 22–30’ common; up to ~32’ in wider pockets with good neighbors/setbacks.
-
Pros: Circulation reduces fouling; central position for east/west runs.
-
Cons: Watch turning for longer LOA if opposite docks extend far.
Canal 6 — Marlin Key & River Road (east-most; sunrise water)
-
Character: Opens toward the east side of Bayou St. John; pretty morning light.
-
Boats: 22–30’ bay & DC; 27–30’ offshore singles/twins on lower profiles.
-
Pros: Quick east/west options; solid depths at mouth; good compromise of view/protection.
-
Cons: A touch more exposure near the mouth in strong northerlies.
“What fits here?”—real boats that pair well with each area
-
Bridge-locked legs (Turtle Key 11–21; Unit 13 9–21):
Bennington 23–25 tritoon, Harris 24, Pathfinder 2200 TRS/2400 TRS (no upper station), Maverick HPX, Hewes Redfisher, Scout Dorado 210/235 (bimini that folds).
Rule of thumb: ≤26–28’ LOA, shallow draft (≤2′), low profile. -
Interior open legs (3, parts of 4, 5, 6):
Pathfinder 2600 TRS, Grady-White 251 CE, Sea Hunt BX 25 BR, Scout 255 Dorado, Cobia 262/280 DC, World Cat 255/295.
Rule of thumb: 22–30’ LOA, beam ≤10′, draft ≤2′6″. -
Wider/mouth areas (1 and portions of 2 & 6):
Regulator 28, Pursuit DC 295, Grady-White 275/285, Cobia 301 CC (mind profile), Sea Pro 259 DLX.
Rule of thumb: up to ~32’ LOA is realistic with neighbor-friendly layouts and good slip geometry.
Designing docks, boathouses & lifts (ACC guidance you’ll actually use)
Summary of common ACC practices owners follow on these canals (always submit for approval and verify latest rules before building):
-
Keep the navigation lane open: Design piers/lifts so a ~30′-wide center channel remains clear for traffic. Practically, that means neither side should project anywhere near the canal centerline; many designs target ≤15′ from centerline when both sides build.
-
Pier/walkway width: Typically 4′ wide walkways out to your slip; flare wider at the terminal platform where space allows.
-
Boathouses: Allowed and popular. Open-sided, roof style/material should match your home. No enclosed rooms.
-
Sundeck boathouses: One story only with safety rail; overall height commonly capped around ~16.5′ from water to top rail. No second-story roof on top of a sundeck.
-
-
Lifts: Cradle or elevator lifts are both used. Size for the boat you actually plan to keep (common ratings: 10k–20k lb for 24–32’ boats). Place pilings so a raised boat stays inside your side-yard lines and doesn’t obstruct the channel.
-
What not to do: No floating docks on these canals; no fish-cleaning tables on docks (dispose off-site).
-
Shoreline care: Where marsh fringe exists, expect re-vegetation requirements if you disturb grass. Any dredging of a slip will need approvals.
Want help sketching a compliant dock/boathouse that still maximizes sun, breeze, and turning radius? I do this with clients all the time and can connect you with local marine contractors who know Ono’s rhythms.
Advantages vs. trade-offs by area
-
Canal 1–2:
Advantages: Best water exchange and room at the mouth; quickest “point-and-go” to ICW/Pass; most flexible for 28–32’ boats.
Trade-offs: Slightly livelier water and breezes; confirm slip geometry for >30’. -
Canal 3 & open legs of 4/5/6:
Advantages: Quiet water, easy docking, family-friendly; plenty of 22–30’ boat options.
Trade-offs: Curves and facing docks can squeeze turning for longer LOA; watch combined projections. -
Bridge-locked legs (Turtle Key 11–21; Unit 13 9–21):
Advantages: Serenity, privacy, safest water in a blow; perfect for pontoons, skiffs, and bay boats without tall tops.
Trade-offs: Height/size limits; buyers with bigger offshore ambitions typically shop the open legs instead.
Buyer’s pre-offer checklist (what I verify for you)
-
Measured water at low tide at the intended slip location (pole soundings).
-
Turning diagram (your LOA/beam vs. neighboring projections).
-
Bridge-locked or not? Confirm exact lot position relative to the small neighborhood bridges.
-
Lift & boathouse feasibility (pile locations, wind load, ACC submittal readiness).
-
Utilities at dock (power, water, lighting; GFCI; pedestal).
-
Wave/wind exposure for your dock orientation (northers vs. summer seabreeze).
-
Insurance & maintenance implications (bigger lifts, roof loads, bulkhead health).
There’s a particular moment just after dawn when Bayou St. John lies flat as a pane of cobalt glass. An egret lifts from the marsh edge near Sandy Key, and the first skiff idles out from Shoalwater—two kids still in pajamas, dad with coffee in a Yeti. On St. John Drive, the horizon warms and a 28-footer slips off its lift, a V of wake tracing toward Perdido Pass. This is the rhythm that pulls so many of us to canal-front living on Ono: quiet water, quick access, and a dock that becomes the heart of home.
Ready to match a boat—and a lifestyle—to the right canal?
I’ll help you map boat specs to streets and slips, sketch compliant dock/boathouse plans, and introduce vetted marine builders who know Ono. Island If you’re planning a new build, start here: https://www.searchthegulf.com/onoconstruction/. For area context on the island: https://www.searchthegulf.com/ono-island/. And for marina/storage options along our coast: https://www.searchthegulf.com/boating-accommodations-on-the-gulf-coast/.
Let’s make sure your next address—and your next boat—fit each other perfectly.
THE BOATER’S FIELD MANUAL TO ONO ISLAND’S SIX CANALS
When it comes to finding the home of your dreams in a fast-paced market, knowing about new listings as soon as they are available is part of our competitive advantage.Sign up to see new listings in an area or specific community. Contact Meredith with any questions you may have.
#searchthegulf #meredithamon #becausewelivehere Ono Island Homes & Land for Sale – Luxury Waterfront Real Estate in Orange Beach Alabama
.gif){kind=logo}
Boater’s Field Manual to Ono Island Canals — Bayou St. John Access, Depths & Dock Design
How boats actually reach these canals
If your dock is on the north side of Ono Island, your boat lives on water that empties directly into Bayou St. John. From there you run east or west—Perdido Pass, Terry Cove, Cotton Bayou, and the Perdido…
Ask A Question or Sign Up To See New Real Estate Listings Before Your Competition
Leave A Comment