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.