ORANGE BEACH WATERS: A BOATER’S MAP & VESSEL MATCH
By Meredith Folger Amon — Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon.
Around Orange Beach the water you wake up to shapes your day. A calm canal for coffee cruises, the steady reach of Bayou St. John toward the Intracoastal, the swift run through Perdido Pass, or a quiet track across Old River. I work with buyers every week to match boats and homes to the right water. Below is my map for doing just that, with depths, popular boat classes, specific models, drafts, and realistic cost ranges, plus my personal notes from years of helping people live on the water.
Perdido Pass and the Gulf
Perdido Pass is the gateway to the Gulf for Orange Beach. It offers a marked, deeper channel and a fixed bridge with ample vertical clearance, which is why many offshore-capable boats stage nearby. If you own a home close to the Pass or keep your vessel at a nearby marina, you can be idling through the jetties within minutes.
- Typical depth profile: Deeper marked channel suitable for offshore-capable craft.
- Popular boat classes: Convertible sportfish, express fish, large center consoles.
- Model examples and approx. specs: Viking 48 Convertible (LOA ~48 ft, draft ~4′4″ / 1.32 m); Grady-White 370 Express (LOA ~37 ft, draft ~30 in / 0.76 m); Pursuit S 408 or S 378 (draft ~30–32 in / 0.76–0.81 m); Scout 350 LXZ (~26 in / 0.66 m draft).
- Why it fits: Quick Gulf access with reliable depth and room to maneuver larger hulls.
Bayou St. John
Bayou St. John connects many Orange Beach and Ono Island homes to the Intracoastal. Depths commonly run about 6–9 feet in the main corridor, with protected water and minimal fetch. For deep-water property seekers, this is a prime address, especially along streets fronting the bayou.
- Typical depth profile: ~6–9 ft in the main bayou; deeper pockets in places.
- Popular boat classes: Large center consoles, express cruisers, convertible sportfish.
- Model examples and approx. specs: Regulator 41 (LOA 41 ft, draft ~24 in / 0.61 m); Grady-White Canyon 336 (draft ~28 in / 0.71 m); Pursuit S 328 / S 348 (draft ~24–26 in / 0.61–0.66 m); Viking 48 Convertible (draft ~4′4″ / 1.32 m) when dock depths and swing room allow.
- Personal note: The steady depth and lee protection here make docking calm and predictable, and the short run to Orange Beach — https://www.searchthegulf.com/orange-beach/ — and the Pass is a daily luxury.
If you’re shopping for deep-water homes in Orange Beach, I can walk you through streets that regularly accommodate larger vessels, and I’ll pair your boat’s draft and beam with lifts, dock design, and turning radius that make sense long-term. Explore more: Ono Island — https://www.searchthegulf.com/ono-island/ and Boating Accommodations — https://www.searchthegulf.com/boating-accommodations-on-the-gulf-coast/
Old River
Old River, along the southern side of Ono Island, rewards owners who value a deep marked channel and a quick route toward Perdido Pass. You will see serious center consoles and cruisers staging here, with lifts sized appropriately for beam and weight.
- Typical depth profile: Deeper main channel with localized shoaling near bends and edges.
- Popular boat classes: Offshore-ready center consoles, express cruisers, some smaller convertibles.
- Model examples and approx. specs: Pursuit S 378 / S 408 (draft ~30–32 in / 0.76–0.81 m); Grady-White 330 Express (draft ~26–28 in / ~0.66–0.71 m); Yellowfin 32 / 36 (draft ~20–22 in / 0.51–0.56 m), depending on rig.
- Personal note: If your lifestyle is sunrise to offshore structure and back for a late lunch, Old River addresses make the routine feel effortless.
Interior Canals, Goat Bayou, and Bellville Bay
The canals and protected bays deliver serenity and everyday convenience. Shallower water favors skiffs, bay boats, and pontoons with modest drafts, which is perfect for relaxed cruising, quick fishing sets, and simple docking at home.
- Typical depth profile: Canals ~4–6 ft; Goat Bayou ~3–5 ft in the quiet corners; Bellville Bay ~6–8 ft mid-bay.
- Popular boat classes: Flats skiffs, bay boats, compact center consoles, pontoons.
- Model examples and approx. specs: Pathfinder 2300 HPS (draft ~12 in / 0.30 m); Maverick HPX-V (draft ~10–12 in / 0.25–0.30 m); Scout 215 XSF (draft ~15 in / 0.38 m); premium tri-toon with lifting strakes (draft typically under ~18 in / 0.46 m).
- Personal note: For evenings with neighbors and peaceful water, this is the easy-living side of Orange Beach
Perdido Bay and the Intracoastal
Perdido Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway tie everything together. You can cruise for hours at a comfortable pace, visit marinas and waterfront venues, and still be close to home. Depths vary by arm, so I always suggest staying in the marked routes if you are unfamiliar.
- Popular boat classes: Mid-size center consoles and cruisers with moderate drafts.
- Model examples and approx. specs: Scout 350 LXZ (~26 in draft / 0.66 m), Pursuit S 328 (draft ~24–26 in / 0.61–0.66 m), Grady-White 330 Express (~26–28 in / ~0.66–0.71 m).
- Personal note: For day-long exploring with friends, these waters are forgiving, scenic, and connected to everything that makes Orange Beach special.
Curated access across Orange Beach and Ono Island—choose your shoreline to view active listings.
Search Properties for Sale by Waterway & Location
Approximate Costs and Rig Considerations
| Class / Example | LOA (ft) | Draft (in / m) | Estimated Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flats / Bay (Pathfinder 2300 HPS, Maverick HPX-V) | 22–23 | ~10–12 in / 0.25–0.30 m | $70,000–$130,000+ |
| Compact CC / Pontoon (Scout 215 XSF) | 21–22 | ~15–18 in / 0.38–0.46 m | $60,000–$110,000+ |
| Mid CC / Express (Pursuit S 328, Grady-White 330) | 32–34 | ~24–28 in / 0.61–0.71 m | $280,000–$500,000+ |
| Large CC (Regulator 41, Grady-White 370 Express) | 37–41 | ~24–30 in / 0.61–0.76 m | $600,000–$950,000+ |
| Convertible Sportfish (Viking 48) | 48 | ~52 in / 1.32 m | $2.0M–$3.0M+ (new), wide range pre-owned |
*Cost ranges vary by year, engine package, electronics, condition, and customization.
When we evaluate a property for your boat, we will confirm lift capacity, beam clearance, bulkhead condition, consistent depth at mean low water, and turning room. I also look for vertical limits and routing considerations that could affect tuna towers or flybridges. If you are comparing multiple models, I can connect you with a trusted local boat professional to fine-tune the decision.
A Day That Sums It Up
One of my favorite summer afternoons began as a showing and ended as a slow ride home with the sunset. We toured a bayfront home, stepped onto the dock to measure lift clearance for a Regulator 41, and then cast off for a quick look at the waterway. A pair of rods were already rigged, so we set a drift near the channel and talked through a short list of properties. On the ride back, the conversation shifted from specs to what life really looks like here. A quiet canal evening, a steady run down Bayou St. John, and a quick decision to chase the horizon through the Pass. That balance of practicality and ease is the reason Orange Beach — https://www.searchthegulf.com/orange-beach/ — has my heart.
Work with Me on the Water
If you are weighing homes by water type, I will help you pair draft and dock to the right address. Start with neighborhood guides and listings:
Ono Island — https://www.searchthegulf.com/ono-island/
Orange Beach — https://www.searchthegulf.com/orange-beach/
Boating Accommodations — https://www.searchthegulf.com/boating-accommodations-on-the-gulf-coast/
Gulf Shores — https://www.searchthegulf.com/gulf-shores/
From flats boats to convertible sportfish, I’ll make sure your home and your boat are perfectly aligned, so the water works for you every day.
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