To find your way to Orange Beach Marina, you must depart the Northern Gulf ICW by way of St. Johns Bayou, then traverse the channel from Perdido Pass to Terry Cove. Then, turn to the west and hug the southern banks. A marked channel will lead to the marina.

I spent the last two winter seasons at Orange Beach Marina and really enjoyed it. There are 2 restaurants on the property and Tacky Jacks across the street. They have two SUV’s for loaner cars and are very nice people. There is a boatyard and haul out facility on property with very clean restrooms and showers. All slips are covered and you are only ten minutes from Perdido Cut. Everything you need is very close.
Charlie
Slow Flight

Wow, what a great review of this facility. Note that this message was copied off the AGLCA mail list.

Hi, everyone. Hope y’all are safe.
I’ve told y’all about Orange Beach Marina and what a wonderful marina it is…they are especially kind to Loopers and fly the Looper flag proudly. They have a VERY SPECIAL winter rate to May 1…$525/month regardless of size. Power is extra, but my bill runs just a tad under $25.
They are in a lush, tropical setting with excellent security, new docks and in a quiet residential neighborhood. The transient vehicle is a late model Yukon Suburban. Close showers and a laundry on site next to the transient dock. Two on-site restaurants and two others (expecially Tacky Jacks) a short walk away. The beach, renowned for its sugary sand, is only 2.3 miles away.. A huge, respected boatyard (Saunders Yachtworks).
And there’s more: Covered barbecue and picnic areas, boat washing and detail service on site, upscale dock store, taxi service, the best, friendliest service help around.
Both Orange Beach are minutes from each other and both offer libraries, indoor pools, exercise areas, a great wildlife area well within walking distance (deer and other wildlife abound), golf courses, great shopping. In short, it is a paradise!
And Pensacola Naval Air Station’s world famous air and space museam is really close by.
Free first night dockage with fill up of 300 gallons or more attract lots of folks…and its just for us Loopers.
I hate to sound like a shill for the marina, but it is a superb overnight or long-term place to be.
Just ask for Jimmy at 251 981 4207.

Ingram Bayou lies off the northern flank of the ICW, west of the Waterway’s with St. Johns Bayou and Perdido Pass. This is one of my favorite anchorages of all time. It just doesn’t get better than this gang – plenty of depth, good shelter, wonderfully natural shores and ample swing room! See you there!

Ingrams Bayou anchorage MM164.0 is wonderful. Go all the way in to the charted six foot pool at the back. We found minimum seven feet in the entire pool, except for one short six foot section at the very opening of this pool. Protection is great from all sides, and plenty of swinging room. Several places on shore to land a dog. I suggest getting there early. We arrived about 1500 to find one boat in the back pool. By 1600 we had been joined by five more sailboats.
Bill Root

The charted shoal referred to below by Captain Root lies just east of Bear Point Marina, and south of the ICW channel. A quiick look at chart 11378 will show these shallows quickly, and apprently they are building to the north. Sounds like good advice to favor the northern or red side of the Waterway passage.

For those behind us, be aware that the marked shoal on the green side of the channel, just past the marina east of MM 165, extends farther out than charted. I suggest favoring the reds MM 165 to MM 167.
Bill Root

Homeport Marina, home of Lulu’s Restaurant, is located along the northerly shores of the Northern Gulf ICW’s run through a man-made canal, east of Mobile Bay. It lies just a stone’s throw east of the high-rise Gulf Shores – Highway 59 bridge.

Subject: Lulu’s at Homeport Marina Gulf Shores AL
Cruising News: Lulu’s was a great stop on Halloween. The local high school created a haunted house in the pavilion with $5 entrance donation going back to the school group. A costume contest topped off the evening. This restaurant and “play area” at Homeport Marina, Gulf Shores AL, is one of our favorite stops when delivering a boat to Mobile or west. The “beach”, pavilion and large outdoor restaurant host music and kid/family-friendly activities every day. Don’t pass up the gift shop for your Lucy Buffett souvenir.
Capt. Wendy Young
Punta Gorda FL

It seems as if there is a whole collection of new marinas sprouting up along the ICW, between Pensacola and Mobile Bay. GOOD NEWS for cruisers! 

Subject: Barber Marina
Cruising News: A beautiful new marina has just opened at ICW  MM 161 which is just east of the entrance into the Alabama Canal.  http://barbermarina.com/  Together with The Wharf and Lulu's HomePort marinas this stretch of the ICW offers transient more first rate docking opportunities than any other stretch of the Northern Gulf.  Bob Riggs
Bob Riggs