Posted by Meredith Folger Amon on Monday, August 4th, 2025 5:15pm.
If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a home in a private, gated waterfront community, Ono Island in Orange Beach, Alabama, offers a lifestyle that’s hard to match—especially for boaters. From canal-front cottages to bayfront estates with deep water dockage, the island offers a wide range of property options.
So, how much does it cost to buy a home on Ono Island right now?
As of August 2025, here’s the market breakdown:
Lowest Priced Home: $535,000
Highest Priced Home: $7,900,000
Average List Price: ~$1,991,735
Median Price Point: $1,700,000
There are 51 homes currently active or active under contract, 8 pending, and 15 homes have sold in the last 60 days. Listings span a wide spectrum, and what you get depends heavily on location, lot size, water access, and the home's construction type.
Here’s what typically drives price points higher:
Boating Access & Water Depth:
Homes on deep-water canals, Bayou St. John, and Old River command higher values. Canal depths range from 4 to 6 feet, while bayfront homes can support vessels 40–60 feet or more with draft clearance. Streets like Shoalwater Drive, Bayou Court, St. John Drive, and Ono North Loop West are known for quality dockage.
Lot Size & Location:
Corner lots, oversized parcels, and premium water frontage carry a premium. Some homes sit on double or triple lots, while others are tucked into the interior of the island with no water access, which lowers pricing.
Construction Quality:
Gold Fortified homes, concrete block (ICF), and newer construction drive value. Buyers are also prioritizing energy efficiency, storm-rated windows, and metal roofs.
Boathouses, Lifts, and Piers:
Permitted boat lifts on Ono Island range from 10,000 to 26,000+ lbs, with many homes featuring covered boathouses and dock houses. Bayfront and harbor-front homes often offer expanded piers with room for jet skis, launches, and fishing amenities.
When budgeting for a home on Ono Island, be sure to factor in:
$8,000 Transfer Fee (paid by the buyer)
Annual Association Fees
Maintenance of piers, lifts, and seawalls
Flood insurance, especially for older homes not built to current elevation standards
I’m seeing strong interest from boaters, second-home seekers, and investors looking for value in waterfront real estate with no short-term rental pressure. With no bridges restricting access to the Gulf, deep-water homes are particularly attractive to owners of large center consoles, yachts, and sailboats.
In fact, many of my neighbors and friends have moved to Ono Island because of the peaceful lifestyle, private boat docks, and unmatched access to Perdido Pass and the Gulf of Mexico, which lies just 500 yards from the island’s western tip.
If you’re wondering whether Ono Island is the right fit for you—whether for boating, privacy, or long-term investment—I’d love to share insights, upcoming listings, and access to homes before they hit the market.
Visit my Ono Island page to see current listings and more details:
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