Boating the Gulf Corridor: Orange Beach, Perdido Key & Ono Island

Guided by the Gulf. Grounded by Integrity — Meredith Folger Amon, Gulf Coast Expert Real Estate Advisor
Guided by the Gulf. Grounded by Integrity.

Boating the Gulf Corridor: Orange Beach, Perdido Key, Ono Island

On the Gulf Coast, our lives follow the tides. From Orange Beach to Ono Island and east to Perdido Key, I match buyers with the right home and the right water. Depths and drafts matter as much as porches and views—because your dock is your front door to adventure.

The Waterways That Shape Our Days

Bayou St. John

Broad, protected water on the north side of the corridor. Steady depths and a forgiving lee make it ideal for year-round moorage and family cruising.

Old River

The south ribbon between Ono Island and Perdido Key. A scenic, reliable channel with sandbars along the inside (south) curve—great for a summer swim and an easy idle at sunset.

Terry Cove & Cotton Bayou

Calm, social water with quick access to marinas and restaurants. Robinson and Bird Islands create a natural breakwater and beloved sandbar scene.

Perdido Pass (Gulf Access)

Our deep-water doorway to the Gulf of Mexico. Follow the markers, time your tide window, and enjoy offshore freedom minutes from the dock.

Depth & Vessel Compatibility

Average Depths & Typical Boats (ft / m)
WaterwayAvg. Depth (ft / m)Recommended Max DraftTypical BoatsNotes
Bayou St. John 6–9 ft (1.8–2.7 m) ≤ 4 ft (1.2 m) Grady-White Canyon 336, Scout 235 XSF, dual consoles Steady depth; excellent for docking and all-season cruising.
Old River 7–12 ft (2.1–3.7 m) ≤ 4.5 ft (1.4 m) Invincible 33 Catamaran, Regulator 34SS, Viking 48C Deep channel; sandbars along south edge near Perdido Key.
Terry Cove 6–10 ft (1.8–3.0 m) ≤ 3.5 ft (1.1 m) Sea Hunt Ultra 255 SE, Cobia 240 CC, tri-toons Protected anchorage; popular around Robinson/Bird Islands.
Cotton Bayou 5–8 ft (1.5–2.4 m) ≤ 3 ft (0.9 m) Bennington 27 QX Sport, Barletta Lusso 25UC, Harris Crown SL 270 Family-friendly; easy public launch access; low wake etiquette.
Canal Systems (Ono & Orange Beach) 4–6 ft (1.2–1.8 m) ≤ 3 ft (0.9 m) Pathfinder 2300 HPS (light draft), Maverick HPX-V 18, pontoons No-wake zones; calm moorage; confirm depth at your lift on MLW.
Perdido Pass / Alabama Point 18–40 ft (5.5–12 m) ≤ 5 ft (1.5 m) Viking sportfish, offshore CCs, catamarans Strong tidal current; follow channel markers; time your tide.

Bridge, Breezes & Sandbars

  • Ono Island Bridge: ~24 ft (7.3 m) at high tide; ~28 ft (8.5 m) at low—towered boats plan accordingly.
  • Summer breeze / Winter warmth: Old River’s south exposure brings a cooling summer breeze and slightly warmer winter feel along the shoreline.
  • Sandbars: Inside edges of Old River and around Robinson/Bird Islands (2–4 ft / 0.6–1.2 m). Idle in, anchor gently, mind the tide swing (~1–1.5 ft / 0.3–0.45 m).

Interactive Map: The Full Boating Corridor

Explore the continuous corridor from Bayou St. John through Terry Cove and Cotton Bayou to Old River and Perdido Pass—connecting Alabama and Florida waters.

Finding Your Waterfront Match

Whether it’s a lift-ready home on Shoalwater Drive, a deep-water perch off Marlin Key Drive, or a canal-front retreat perfect for a Grady-White, Regulator, Invincible, Pathfinder, Cobia, Scout, or a luxe tri-toon, I’d love to help you pair the right property with your boating life. Start your search on www.searchthegulf.com—the Gulf Coast’s premier website for exploring every listing on the coast.

`` Contact Meredith Amon Gulf Coast Realtor #searchthegulf #meredithamon #becausewelivehere

SEARCH ORANGE BEACH REAL ESTATE LISTINGS FOR SALE, $700,000 - $800,000

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4606 Osprey Drive, Orange Beach

$749,000

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4606 Osprey Drive, Orange Beach

4 Beds 3 Baths 2,456 SqFt Residential MLS® # 380650

RE/MAX of Orange Beach PHONE: 251-776-4690

27223 Magnolia Drive, Orange Beach

$749,000

↓ $25,900

27223 Magnolia Drive, Orange Beach

4 Beds 4 Baths 2,412 SqFt Residential MLS® # 380531

RE/MAX of Gulf Shores

24132 Perdido Beach Boulevard Unit 1011, Orange Beach

$749,000

↓ $6,000

24132 Perdido Beach Boulevard Unit 1011, Orange Beach

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,340 SqFt Residential MLS® # 379217

Brett R/E Robinson Dev OB Main: 251-981-6180

27008 Perdido Beach Boulevard Unit 802, Orange Beach

$745,000

27008 Perdido Beach Boulevard Unit 802, Orange Beach

2 Beds 2 Baths 1,064 SqFt Residential MLS® # 379061

RE/MAX of Orange Beach PHONE: 251-989-5966

28105 Perdido Beach Boulevard Unit C-314, Orange Beach

$739,900

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28105 Perdido Beach Boulevard Unit C-314, Orange Beach

3 Beds 3 Baths 1,796 SqFt Residential MLS® # 386003

eXp Realty Southern Branch PHONE: 832-914-5012

Bayou St John Avenue, Orange Beach

$739,900

Bayou St John Avenue, Orange Beach

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,500 SqFt Residential MLS® # 379359

Keller Williams AGC Realty - Orange Beach PHONE: 251-923-8390

5584 Pensacola Avenue, Orange Beach

$739,500

5584 Pensacola Avenue, Orange Beach

6 Beds 3 Baths 2,688 SqFt Residential MLS® # 381819

EXIT Realty Orange Beach

24400 Perdido Beach Boulevard Unit 401, Orange Beach

$739,000

24400 Perdido Beach Boulevard Unit 401, Orange Beach

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,394 SqFt Residential MLS® # 380565

Brett R/E Robinson Dev OB Main: 251-981-6180

24400 E Perdido Beach Boulevard Unit 301, Orange Beach

$739,000

↓ $11,000

24400 E Perdido Beach Boulevard Unit 301, Orange Beach

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,394 SqFt Residential MLS® # 370375

RE/MAX of Orange Beach CELL: 251-504-9224

28103 Perdido Beach Boulevard Unit B201, Orange Beach

$735,000

↓ $64,000

28103 Perdido Beach Boulevard Unit B201, Orange Beach

2 Beds 2 Baths 1,401 SqFt Residential MLS® # 380555

Engel and Volkers Gulf Shores

23088 Island Oaks Lane Unit 67, Orange Beach

$735,000

↓ $54,000

23088 Island Oaks Lane Unit 67, Orange Beach

2 Beds 3 Baths 1,368 SqFt Residential MLS® # 377097

RE/MAX of Orange Beach PHONE: 334-654-0750

29250 Perdido Beach Boulevard Unit Ph2 1202, Orange Beach

$730,000

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29250 Perdido Beach Boulevard Unit Ph2 1202, Orange Beach

2 Beds 2 Baths 1,450 SqFt Residential MLS® # 380184

RE/MAX of Orange Beach CELL: 251-233-6695

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