We list Ono Island here for completeness — it’s a real part of the community geography, and a meaningful share of the people you’ll meet at the Bama or at Cosmo’s actually live here. But this is not a guide to Ono. We’re not going to publish where so-and-so’s house is, we’re not going to direct visitors to the gate, and we’re going to ignore basically all of the gossip that crosses our desk about it.
What you should know:
- The bridge is the only way on or off
- The bay side of Ono is some of the most protected boating water on the coast
- Ono Boulevard is private; no through traffic
- The residents fish, a lot
If you’re staying with someone on Ono, you already know everything you need to know. If you’re not, the Key has other places to be.
Where Ono does touch the visitor’s world is the water. Old River runs between the island and the Perdido Beach Boulevard condos, and it is the calm-water alternative on a red-flag day — pontoons, kayaks, and paddleboards out of the Orange Beach rentals all work that stretch, and you will pass Ono’s docks without ever setting foot on the island. Boaters should mind the no-wake zones along the residential shoreline; the residents notice, and so does the marine patrol. If the Gulf is rough, check the Orange Beach flag and the on-the-water guide — the river side is often the better afternoon.
