DEPTH, DRAFT, AND DESIGN: BOATING ONO ISLAND’S WATERWAYS
By Meredith Folger Amon — Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon.
On Ono Island life moves with the tide and the hum of an outboard at dusk. Morning coffee on a dock becomes a ritual, and the day’s decisions often start with a glance at the waterline. As a homeowner on Ono Island and a local real estate advisor, I help buyers and boaters match the right waterfront home with the right draft and the right waterway. Depth is not just a number here. It is a lifestyle choice that determines how and where you run, from inshore flats to the Gulf beyond Perdido Pass.
Reading the Water: Ono’s Major Corridors
Ono Island is framed by Bayou St. John to the north and Old River to the south, with a web of protected canals and smaller bays in between. Mean tidal fluctuation averages about 1.2–1.6 feet (0.36–0.49 meters), which is modest but meaningful in shallower areas such as Goat Bayou and the interior canal system.
| Waterway | Average Depth (ft / m) | Typical Draft Limit (ft / m) | Recommended Vessel Type | Notes / Navigational Observations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bayou St. John | 6–10 ft (1.8–3.0 m) | Up to 5 ft (1.5 m) | Center Consoles, Express Cruisers, Sportfishing Yachts | Stable depth; deeper pockets (10–12 ft / 3.0–3.7 m) near docks. Ideal for deep-water mooring on streets such as Shoalwater Drive, Marlin Key Drive, Turtle Key, and Sandy Key. |
| Old River (South Ono Island) | 7–18 ft (2.1–5.5 m) | Up to 6 ft (1.8 m) | Offshore Sportfish, Large Center Consoles, Dual Consoles | Main channel consistently 10–18 ft (3.0–5.5 m). Watch for seasonal sandbar migration near Alabama–Florida line. Deepest water along Ono’s southern canal homes and west end toward Ono Blvd. |
| Terry Cove | 6–8 ft (1.8–2.4 m) | Up to 4.5 ft (1.4 m) | Cruisers, Bay Boats, Pontoons | Dredged channel; ideal approach to Orange Beach marinas. Sandbar formations occur near Robinson Island and Alabama Point. Popular anchorage during calm conditions. |
| Bellville Bay | 6–8 ft (1.8–2.4 m) | Up to 4 ft (1.2 m) | Bay Boats, Deck Boats, Small Center Consoles | Sheltered; soft sandy bottom. Slight siltation near canal mouths. Calm anchorage suitable for day boating. |
| Goat Bayou | 3–5 ft (0.9–1.5 m) | Up to 2 ft (0.6 m) | Flats Skiffs, Jon Boats, Kayaks, Personal Watercraft | Extremely shallow at low tide; avoid with deep drafts. Access limited to small craft or high-tide conditions. Excellent wildlife area. |
| Interior Canals (Ono Island) | 4–6 ft (1.2–1.8 m) | Up to 3 ft (0.9 m) | Bay Boats, Pontoons, Small Center Consoles | Depth varies by tide; dredged sections maintained. No-wake zones throughout. Calm, protected waters for dockage and easy lift installation. |
| Perdido Pass & Alabama Point | 14–45 ft (4.3–13.7 m) | No restriction (deep draft) | Large Sportfish, Cruisers, Catamarans, Sailboats | Primary Gulf access route; follow ICW channel buoys. Strong tidal current; exercise caution during ebb tide. Bridge clearance 54 ft (16.5 m). |
Bayou St. John: The Big-Boat North Shore
Along Bayou St. John, the north shore of Ono Island quietly accommodates substantial vessels. Depths typically hold 6–9 feet (1.8–2.7 meters) with a calm lee, making this shoreline a natural harbor. Streets like Shoalwater Drive, Marlin Key Drive, Turtle Key Drive, and Sandy Key Drive are well known for deep-water dockage, multi-slip piers, and heavy-capacity lifts. You will often see larger center consoles and convertible sportfishing boats moored safely while remaining only minutes from the Intracoastal Waterway and Perdido Pass.
Beyond these, select homes on Ono North Loop West, the western end of Ono Boulevard, and Ono Harbor Court also offer excellent depth, good bulkheads, and practical swing room. For towered boats and flybridge yachts, remember the Ono Island Bridge clearance of roughly 24 ft (7.3 m) at mean high water and 28 ft (8.5 m) at mean low water. Many captains favor the unobstructed route to Perdido Pass with approximately 54 ft (16.5 m) of clearance.
| Street | Typical Depth (ft / m) | Common Dock Setup | Comfortable Vessel Range | Approx. Run to Perdido Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoalwater Drive | 6–9 ft (1.8–2.7 m) | Multi-slip piers, heavy-capacity lifts | Up to ~60 ft (18.3 m), beam-dependent | ~10–15 minutes (conditions dependent) |
| Marlin Key Drive | 6–9 ft (1.8–2.7 m) | Custom yacht piers, double lifts | 40–60 ft (12–18 m) | ~8–12 minutes |
| Turtle Key Drive | 6–9 ft (1.8–2.7 m) | Deep-water docks, covered lifts | 35–50+ ft (10.7–15.2 m) | ~10–15 minutes |
| Sandy Key Drive | 6–9 ft (1.8–2.7 m) | Multi-slip setups, larger-capacity lifts | 40–60 ft (12–18 m) | ~10–15 minutes |
| Ono Harbor Court | 6–9 ft (1.8–2.7 m) | Protected basin, upgraded bulkheads | Up to ~55 ft (16.8 m), beam-dependent | ~12–16 minutes |
Old River: Depth and Gulf Proximity
To the south, Old River offers 10–18 feet (3.0–5.5 meters) through the main channel, favoring larger center consoles, express cruisers, and sportfishing yachts. Seasonal sandbars can form toward the Alabama–Florida line, so attention to tides and recent shoaling reports keeps the ride smooth. For offshore runs, Orange Beach is your portal to Perdido Pass and the Gulf beyond.
Goat Bayou and Bellville Bay: Shallow Serenity
East-side waters like Goat Bayou and Bellville Bay invite a slower pace. With average depths of 3–5 feet (0.9–1.5 meters) in the most protected corners and 6–8 feet (1.8–2.4 meters) toward Bellville’s middle, shallow-draft skiffs, bay boats, and pontoons shine. These zones reward local knowledge, gentle throttle, and a close eye on that 1.2–1.6 foot tide swing.
Interior Canals: Calm, Private, and Practical
Ono’s interior canals average 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 meters), perfect for bay boats and compact pontoons up to about 26 feet (7.9 meters). The quieter water and protection from wind and wake are a daily luxury. For those planning new construction, I am glad to advise on lift sizing, beam clearance, and dock siting to suit your boating and lifestyle goals.
Pairing Your Boat to Your Waterfront
- Bayou St. John and Old River (deeper water): Grady-White Canyon 336, Regulator 34SS, Pursuit S 328, Viking 48–52 Convertible. Drafts typically 24–28 in (0.61–0.71 m) for large CCs, and ~4'4"–4'6" (1.32–1.37 m) for convertibles.
- Interior Canals: Scout 235 XSF, Cobia 240 CC, Sea Hunt 255 Ultra, premium tri-toon with lifting strakes. Drafts around 15–20 in (0.38–0.51 m).
- Goat Bayou and Shallow Reaches: Pathfinder 2300 HPS and Maverick HPX-V, with drafts near 10–12 in (0.25–0.30 m) to explore comfortably at lower water.
If you are weighing vessels or considering a change, I can connect you with a trusted local boat professional for detailed guidance and outfitting.
Choosing the Right Waterfront Home
For active listings and neighborhood deep dives, explore:
Ono Island
Orange Beach
Boating Accommodations — https://www.searchthegulf.com/boating-accommodations-on-the-gulf-coast/
Every waterway offers trade-offs. Deep-water frontage near Bayou St. John or Old River brings quick runs and larger-vessel flexibility. Canal homes reward you with calm water and simple daily routines. Eastern reaches provide a quiet rhythm for skiffs and bay boats with drafts built for exploration. I am glad to help you navigate the options and pair your boating needs with the right address.
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