Entering Pensacola Bay either from the Gulf of Mexico or the GCICW, proceed to the intersection of the Pensacola Ship Channel GCICW (MM 179.5) and the Pensacola Ship Channel as the GCICW crosses between buoys #13 & #15. Proceed West through the “Land Cut” and enter Big Lagoon. Continue Westward following the GCICW to the Foley Beach Express Bridge at GCICW (MM 158.8). The Wharf is on the South Bank.
Keep in mind the Bridge Clearances as you’re planning your trip:
Coming from the East (Pensacola Bay): State Road 292 Bridge – GCICW MM 171.7
Fixed, Horizontal Clearance 150 feet, Vertical Clearance 73 feet
At the Wharf, Orange Beach, AL: Foley Beach Express Bridge – GCICW 158.8
Fixed Horizontal Clearance 250 feet, Vertical Clearance 73 feet
Entering the Perdido Pass from the Gulf of Mexico (Local Knowledge is Recommended}, come through the pass and navigate through the Perdido Pass Bridge. Enter St. Johns Bayou. Follow St. Johns Bayou for approximately 3 Nautical Miles (3.5 Statute miles), to its junction with the GCICW at MM 167. Once in the GCICW, following the GCICW to the Foley Beach Express Bridge at GCICW (MM 158.8). The Wharf is on the South Bank.
Keep in mind the Bridge Clearances as you’re planning your trip:
Coming from the South (Perdido Pass): Hwy 182 Gulf Beach Blvd – Perdido Pass Bridge:
Fixed, Horizontal Clearance 100 feet, Vertical Clearance 54 feet
At the Wharf, Orange Beach, AL: Foley Beach Express Bridge – GCICW 158.8
Fixed, Horizontal Clearance 250 feet, Vertical Clearance 73 feet
To enter Pensacola Bay from the Gulf of Mexico or the GCICW, navigate to the intersection of the Pensacola Ship Channel and GCICW (MM 179.5), passing between buoys #13 and #15. Proceed west through the “Land Cut” into Big Lagoon and continue along the GCICW to the Foley Beach Express Bridge (MM 158.8), where The Wharf is located on the south bank. Note the bridge clearances: State Road 292 Bridge at MM 171.7 has a horizontal clearance of 150 feet and a vertical clearance of 73 feet, while the Foley Beach Express Bridge at MM 158.8 has a horizontal clearance of 250 feet and a vertical clearance of 73 feet.
To enter via Perdido Pass from the Gulf of Mexico (local knowledge recommended), navigate through the pass and the Perdido Pass Bridge into St. Johns Bayou. Follow St. Johns Bayou for about 3 nautical miles (3.5 statute miles) to its junction with the GCICW at MM 167, then continue west to the Foley Beach Express Bridge at MM 158.8, where The Wharf is located on the south bank. Note the bridge clearances: Perdido Pass Bridge (Hwy 182 Gulf Beach Blvd) offers a horizontal clearance of 100 feet and a vertical clearance of 54 feet, while the Foley Beach Express Bridge at MM 158.8 has a horizontal clearance of 250 feet and a vertical clearance of 73 feet.
Located nearly half way between the Mobile Bay and Pensacola Bay at mile marker 158.8, boaters can travel along the Intracoastal Waterway to The Wharf. We are about 8 miles east of Bon Secour Bay and 8 miles west of the Perdido Bay. Perdido Pass on the Gulf of Mexico is approximately 12 miles away.
The Wharf Marina is dredged to 9 feet at Mean Low Water, docks are floating, with 18 inches of freeboard. Be sure to radio us on Channel 16 or phone us at (251) 224-1900 a few miles prior to your arrival so we can be ready to greet you at the dock and show you to your slip. It’s best if overnight reservations for transient slips are made well in advance, as we fill up quickly on weekends and during special events.
