Long Bayou Preserve: A New Waterfront Boating Community Near Orange Beach, Alabama
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Long Bayou Preserve is one of the most notable new waterfront developments planned near Orange Beach, Alabama. Designed as a boutique, gated boating community, the development brings together new construction, private marina access, protected natural surroundings and a strategic location along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.
The setting is especially interesting. Long Bayou Preserve is positioned at the convergence of Long Bayou—also known as Portage Creek—and the Intracoastal Waterway. It will be directly east of the new Margaritaville Resort Orange Beach at The Wharf and across the water from The Wharf in Orange Beach.
For boaters, that means the Intracoastal Waterway is not merely a distant view. It is the community’s nautical thoroughfare—a direct connection to Orange Beach restaurants, protected back bays, marinas, fishing grounds and Perdido Pass.
Long Bayou Preserve at a Glance
Based on information publicly released by the developer (who also developed the Fish Camp neighborhood in Orange Beach), current plans include:
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Approximately 48 single-family homesites
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37 homesites offering waterfront access
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A 36-acre community within a larger 400-acre family-owned property
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Approximately 22 acres designated as native or protected areas
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Approximately 14 acres of existing upland
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A private gated entrance
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Select waterfront lots with opportunities for private piers and boat lifts
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A community marina with 26 boat slips offered for purchase
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The Long Bayou Sporting Lodge
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A waterfront infinity pool
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Kayaking and paddle access through Long Bayou
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Regulated native landscaping intended to complement the preserve
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Convenient access to Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, The Wharf, OWA and the Gulf beaches
The small-scale community is conservation-minded, with development concentrated on existing upland. The project team has worked with Baldwin County, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management during the planning and permitting process.
A Boutique Community Rather Than a Large Subdivision
What stands out to me is the scale.
Long Bayou Preserve is not a sprawling conventional subdivision. The plan calls for 48 homesites, including 37 with waterfront access. That creates the potential for a more intimate community in which the marina, lodge, pool and natural surroundings become meaningful parts of everyday life.
The proposed homesite dimensions range from approximately 60 by 120 feet to 100 by 130 feet. Projected lot pricing is between approximately $700,000 and $1.2 million, although prices, availability, release schedules and development plans are subject to change.
For buyers comparing new waterfront opportunities, it will be important to evaluate more than the lot price. Boat-slip rights, construction requirements, elevation, insurance, architectural standards, HOA expenses and site-work costs can all materially affect the total investment.
Boating Access: The Heart of Long Bayou Preserve
Long Bayou Preserve appears to be designed first and foremost around the boating lifestyle.
Select waterfront homesites are expected to provide an opportunity for a private pier and boat lift, while other owners may have access to one of the 26 slips planned for Long Bayou Marina. The developer has stated that the marina slips will be available for purchase.
That distinction matters. Buyers should determine whether a particular property includes:
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The right to build a private dock
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The right to install a boat lift
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An assigned or deeded marina slip
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The opportunity to purchase a slip separately
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Shared access without ownership of a specific slip
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Restrictions on boat length, beam, draft, height or lift capacity
The community’s location along the Intracoastal Waterway should provide access to an impressive network of boating destinations. Depending on the vessel, route, weather and water conditions, owners may be able to cruise to The Wharf, LuLu’s, Tacky Jacks, GTs on the Bay, Avenue Pub, OSO at Bear Point, Cobalt, SanRoc Cay, Flora-Bama Yacht Club and Flora-Bama Ole River Grill.
The Wharf Marina is reportedly less than a mile away by land or water. Perdido Pass provides passage into the Gulf for offshore fishing and cruising, while Wolf Bay, Terry Cove, Bayou St. John and the surrounding backwaters offer inshore fishing, kayaking and more protected recreational boating.
My boating tip: Never evaluate a waterfront homesite by looking at the water alone. I want to understand the controlling depth, tides, bridge clearances, channel markers, no-wake areas, marina configuration and the complete route from the property to open water.
Private Piers Versus Marina Slips
One of the most important decisions for a Long Bayou Preserve buyer may be whether to choose a waterfront lot with private docking potential or a homesite served by the marina.
A private pier and lift may offer:
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Immediate access from the backyard
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Greater convenience for frequent boating
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More control over lift configuration
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Easier loading and unloading
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A strong connection between the home and waterfront
A marina slip may offer:
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Less individual dock maintenance
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A more protected or professionally organized docking arrangement
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Boating access for a homesite that is not directly on navigable water
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The possibility of accommodating a different vessel configuration
Neither option is automatically better. The right choice depends on the buyer’s boat, boating habits, maintenance preferences and long-term plans.
Before purchasing, I would want written confirmation of the maximum permitted boat length, beam and lift capacity, along with marina fees, utilities, insurance responsibilities and transfer restrictions.
The Long Bayou Sporting Lodge and Waterfront Pool
Current plans call for a private waterfront lodge and an infinity pool overlooking the convergence of Long Bayou and the Intracoastal Waterway.
The lodge is envisioned as a gathering place for residents and their guests, with space for community events and private occasions. Its waterfront position could become one of the development’s signature features, particularly at sunset when the western sky reflects across the Intracoastal Waterway.
For buyers, I recommend confirming:
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When the lodge and pool are scheduled for completion
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Whether construction is tied to a particular development phase
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Reservation rules and private-event policies
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Guest limits
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Operating hours
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Whether amenity expenses are included in regular HOA dues
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Whether future assessments may be used to complete or maintain the facilities
Proposed amenities can add tremendous appeal, but buyers should understand which facilities are guaranteed, funded and included in recorded development documents.
Preserving the Back-Bay Setting
The “Preserve” portion of the name is intended to reflect the community’s environmental approach.
The 36-acre development site forms part of a larger 400-acre property that has reportedly remained in the same family for nearly a century. According to the developer, approximately 22 acres are designated as native areas, with construction focused primarily on approximately 14 acres of existing upland.
Current plans also call for covenants regulating the trees, grasses and plant materials used within the community. Thoughtful native landscaping can be especially valuable in a coastal setting because it may:
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Complement the surrounding wetlands
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Support drainage and stormwater management
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Require less irrigation after establishment
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Preserve a more natural back-bay appearance
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Provide habitat for coastal birds and wildlife
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Create a cohesive streetscape throughout the community
I would still advise every buyer to review the recorded plats, wetlands delineations, drainage plans, conservation easements and individual lot restrictions. A beautiful natural buffer may enhance privacy, but protected areas can also limit clearing, fencing, landscaping, accessory structures and future expansion.
Across the Water From The Wharf
Long Bayou Preserve’s location creates an interesting relationship with The Wharf, one of Orange Beach’s best-known entertainment, marina and mixed-use destinations.
The Wharf offers restaurants, shopping, concerts, special events, a movie theater, a Ferris wheel and a full-service marina. Its amphitheater attracts nationally recognized performers, while The Wharf Boat & Yacht Show has become an important annual event for Gulf Coast boating enthusiasts.
From Long Bayou Preserve, residents may enjoy proximity to the activity without living directly inside the resort district.
That balance—quiet back-bay surroundings with entertainment nearby—could become one of the community’s strongest lifestyle advantages.
Close to the New Margaritaville Development
Long Bayou Preserve is planned immediately east of the new Margaritaville Resort Orange Beach at The Wharf.
The Margaritaville project is planned as a large waterfront resort destination incorporating resort cottages, luxury condominiums, hotel-style accommodations, dining, entertainment and recreational amenities. Although the two projects are separate developments, their proximity illustrates how much investment and planning activity is occurring along this portion of the Intracoastal Waterway.
For Long Bayou Preserve buyers, nearby resort development may provide convenient access to dining and entertainment. It also makes it important to study traffic patterns, construction timelines, surrounding land uses, views and future development plans.
I never recommend assuming that a nearby project will automatically increase property values. Real estate performance depends on purchase price, supply, demand, carrying costs, construction quality, community management and future resale conditions. However, major neighboring projects can influence how a corridor is perceived, accessed and used over time.
Improved Access From the Beach Express
Transportation infrastructure around Long Bayou Preserve has changed significantly.
The former Beach Express toll bridge is now toll-free, and ALDOT’s new Intracoastal Waterway bridge and traffic configuration opened to motorists in May 2026. The current pattern provides two southbound lanes across the new bridge and two northbound lanes across the former toll bridge, together with a new SR 161 connector and roundabout system. ALDOT describes the improvements as an effort to reduce delays, improve safety and support long-term coastal mobility. ALDOT Intracoastal Waterway Bridge update
ALDOT has also outlined plans for additional improvements along SR 180, or Canal Road.
For a buyer, improved regional access is important—but I would still drive the route personally at several times of day. Weekend arrivals, concert traffic, holidays and peak summer travel can feel very different from an ordinary weekday.
Who May Be Drawn to Long Bayou Preserve?
Long Bayou Preserve may appeal to buyers who prioritize:
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New luxury construction
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Navigable waterfront or marina access
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A private, gated setting
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Boating and fishing
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Proximity to Orange Beach without living in the beachfront high-rise corridor
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Access to The Wharf and nearby entertainment
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A smaller community with shared resort-style amenities
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Native landscaping and protected natural areas
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A second home or primary coastal residence
It may also interest current waterfront homeowners who want newer construction without giving up access to a private dock, lift or marina.
Long Bayou Preserve is being led by Cobb Development Company and co-developers Richard and Maury Cobb. Richard Cobb oversees the community’s design and construction matters, while Maury Cobb manages its financial and legal affairs. As of this writing, a separate architect, general contractor, homebuilder program, and approved-builder roster have not been publicly announced. The residential renderings remain conceptual, with final architectural plans and construction details still in development.
Learn more about nearby properties and new construction through Search The Gulf, including Margaritaville at The Wharf, Intracoastal Waterway real estate, and The Wharf condos.
What I Would Investigate Before Purchasing
New developments evolve as engineering, permitting, construction and sales progress. Before recommending a specific Long Bayou Preserve property, I would want to review the following.
The homesite
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Recorded plat and legal description
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Lot dimensions and buildable envelope
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Wetlands and protected-area boundaries
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Setbacks and easements
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Finished-floor elevation requirements
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Flood-zone designation
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Drainage plan
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Soil conditions and site-work requirements
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Utility availability
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Tree-preservation and landscape requirements
The residence
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Approved builders
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Minimum and maximum square footage
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Architectural-review process
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Design and material requirements
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Gold Fortified construction requirements
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Construction deadlines
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Garage and accessory-building restrictions
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Pool, fence and outdoor-kitchen guidelines
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Generator and mechanical-equipment requirements
The boating rights
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Whether docking rights convey with the lot
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Whether the slip is deeded, assigned or separately purchased
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Slip dimensions
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Water depth at the slip and along the route
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Maximum boat length, beam and draft
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Boat-lift capacity and configuration
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Marina-association dues
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Shore power, water and storage
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Dock and lift maintenance responsibilities
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Guest-vessel policies
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Rules concerning personal watercraft
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Hurricane preparation and vessel-removal requirements
The community
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Initial and projected HOA dues
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What the HOA dues cover
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Developer control period
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Reserve funding
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Planned development phases
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Lodge and pool completion timeline
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Rental restrictions
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Parking rules
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Golf-cart policies
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Pet and fencing rules
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Transfer fees
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Potential special assessments
Insurance and carrying costs
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Homeowners-insurance estimates
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Wind coverage
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Flood-insurance requirements
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Marina or boat-lift insurance
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Property taxes
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HOA and marina dues
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Landscaping obligations
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Dock, seawall and lift maintenance
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Estimated utility costs
Will Short-Term Rentals Be Permitted?
This is one of the first questions an investor or second-home buyer should ask, and it should be answered through the final recorded covenants—not through assumptions or preliminary marketing.
Rental restrictions can influence:
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Financing
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Insurance
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Potential income
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Community atmosphere
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Property management
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Future resale demand
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A buyer’s personal use of the home
Even if rentals are allowed, buyers should confirm minimum-stay requirements, occupancy limits, parking rules, licensing requirements and whether the HOA may amend its rental policies in the future.
Meredith’s Perspective
Long Bayou Preserve catches my attention because it combines three things that are increasingly difficult to find together: new construction, meaningful boating access and a lower-density natural setting.
I also appreciate that the community appears to recognize that waterfront living is about more than owning a house beside the water. The boating route, marina design, protected shoreline, native landscape and relationship between the home and the dock all matter.
For me, the marina is the compass point of this development. It will help determine who the community serves best, how comfortably different boats can be accommodated and how the waterfront lifestyle functions from one day to the next.
At the same time, this is a developing project. Plans, pricing, homesite counts, marina arrangements, amenities and construction schedules may change. Buyers should evaluate the final recorded documents and property-specific information before making a decision.
Explore Long Bayou Preserve and Orange Beach Waterfront Real Estate
If you are considering Long Bayou Preserve, I would be pleased to help you compare its homesites, boating access and ownership costs with other waterfront opportunities throughout Orange Beach and the surrounding Gulf Coast.
You can also explore:
For current availability, preliminary pricing, community documents or a comparison of boating communities, contact me at meredith@searchthegulf.com.
Development plans, dimensions, pricing, amenities, boat-slip availability, construction schedules, rental policies and other information are subject to change. Buyers should independently verify all information during due diligence, including zoning, permitting, flood zones, elevations, insurance, water depth, marina rights, HOA requirements and construction specifications.
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