Bluewater Property Solutions

ALDOT Set to Acquire Beach Express Bridge for $60M The Beach Express toll bridge, the main artery between Foley and Orange Beach, has recently been the subject of sale discussions with the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT). The bridge currently owned by the Baldwin County Bridge Company (BCBC), a subsidiary of American Roads LLC, serves a...

Alabama's Red Snapper Season Opens May 24

The Marine Resources Division (MRD) of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) announces that Alabama state waters and federal waters will open to private and state-licensed charter vessel anglers for red snapper harvest on Friday, May 24, 2024. The season will consist of four-day weekends, Friday through Monday, beginning Friday, May 24, and continue until the private angler quota is projected to be met. Additionally, the entire week that includes Independence Day (July 1-5) will be open for red snapper fishing.

The season dates listed above only apply to anglers fishing from shore, private recreational vessels and state-licensed Alabama commercial party boats that do not hold federal for-hire fishing permits. The season for anglers fishing from federally-permitted for-hire vessels will be announced by NOAA Fisheries at a future date.

The Alabama private angler quota for 2024 is set by NOAA Fisheries and is anticipated to be increased over the 2023 private angler quota of 591,185 pounds. An announcement from NOAA Fisheries is expected prior to the start of the 2024 season.

“We anticipate having a great red snapper season in 2024,” said Chris Blankenship, ADCNR Commissioner. “I am excited to get back out and catch some big red snapper with family and friends in Alabama’s Artificial Reef Zones again this summer. We will continue working to ensure our citizens and visitors have access to the abundant red snapper fishery off the coast of Alabama.”

Alabama uses Snapper Check to monitor shore, private vessel and state charter angler landings during the season, and will provide weekly updates at www.outdooralabama.com.

MRD will announce a season closure date when the 2024 quota is anticipated to be met.

Anglers are reminded of the following:

--Weekends open to red snapper harvest are defined as 12:01 a.m. Friday through 11:59 p.m. Monday.

--The daily bag limit will be two red snapper per person, per day with a minimum size limit of 16 inches total length.

--Anglers 16 years of age and older must have an Alabama saltwater fishing license (resident or non-resident, annual or trip), and any Alabama resident 65 or older or a lifetime saltwater license holder must have a current saltwater angler registration. The saltwater angler registration is free and available at www.outdooralabama.com/saltwater-fishing/saltwater-angler-registration.

--All anglers 16 years of age and older who possess Gulf reef fish, including red snapper, must have an Alabama Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement which is available at www.outdooralabama.com/saltwater-fishing/saltwater-reef-fish-endorsement.

--Anglers under the age of 16 are not required to be licensed, possess an Alabama Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement or have saltwater angler registration, but their catch must be included in a landing report.

--The owner or operator of each vessel landing red snapper in Alabama is required by law to complete one landing report per vessel trip of their harvested red snapper through Snapper Check prior to removing the fish from the boat or the boat with the fish being removed from the water. All landed red snapper are required to be reported prior to landing regardless of the jurisdiction in which the fish were caught. Greater amberjack and gray triggerfish are also required to be reported when the season is open and must be reported in Snapper Check.

--Red snapper caught from non-powered vessels, piers and the shoreline are required to be reported through Snapper Check and require a Conservation ID number, https://game.dcnr.alabama.gov/CID.

--A landing report may be submitted through Snapper Check in the Outdoor AL app, which is available from Apple and Android stores or online at www.outdooralabama.com.

--Participation in a MRD creel survey or being inspected by enforcement officers is not considered reporting. Anglers must still report through Snapper Check even if encountered by MRD staff.
Operators of vessels with an Alabama Commercial Party Boat License without federal for-hire permits must abide by the state season, possess an Alabama Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement for charter vessels and may only fish inside the 9-mile state waters line. An Alabama Snapper Check landing report must be completed when landing red snapper in Alabama.

--Possession of red snapper in state waters while the Alabama season is closed is prohibited. Anglers fishing under another state’s red snapper season, must abide by that state’s rules and land fish in that state. Individuals on vessels with recreationally caught red snapper may not transit Alabama state waters while the Alabama season is closed.

--Operators of federally permitted for-hire boats must possess an Alabama Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement but are not required to report through Snapper Check.

--All vessels fishing for reef fish in federal waters are required to have a venting tool or descending device rigged and ready to use.

--Anglers on federally permitted charter vessels may fish in state waters only during the days the state season is open. They may transit with red snapper during the days state waters are closed. Once the federal season is closed, they may not fish in state or federal waters. Owners/operators of federally permitted charter vessels are required to possess an Alabama Gulf Reef Fish Endorsement.

ADCNR promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Learn more at www.outdooralabama.com.

Need to make some extra $$ this weekend?
We have a very busy Saturday and NEED cleaners-- SAME DAY PAY! Call or text Amy for more information: 251-978-4437
(between 8-5)

Needed CLEANERS AND LAUNDRY ATTENDANT!
CLEANERS: We need reliable and hardworking people. We pay by the unit and on Fridays! No washing in unit! Everything is ready, all you need to do is clean!
LAUNDRY ATTENDANT: Work in the office washing and folding laundry. We will train you on our commercial washer/dryer.
Call or text Amy for more information: 251-978-4437
(between 8-5)

Hiring cleaners and laundry attendants!
We need reliable and hardworking people. We pay by the unit, if you work fast and do a good job, you can make a lot of money. Call or text Amy for more information: 251-978-4437
(between 8-5)

Orange Beach Festival of Art Ranked #25 in Nation by Artists Orange Beach, Ala. - (OBA) - The Coastal Arts Center of Orange Beach's annual fine art show, the Orange Beach Festival of Art, has received national recognition as one of the top art shows in the country, according to artists themselves. Ranked #25 in the nation, the show has also been named "Best o...

ALDOT-required road work to temporarily close turn lanes on Hwy. 161 at Perdido Beach Boulevard

Improvements to the intersection of State Hwy. 161 and Perdido Beach Boulevard, required by the Alabama Department of Transportation, will cause some lane closures on 161 for a few weeks, beginning on Tuesday, March 7th.

From Tuesday, March 7th to Friday, March 10th, the two westerly southbound lanes on Hwy. 161 at the beach highway intersection will be completely shut down. All southbound Hwy. 161 will be routed to the easterly left turn lane. Motorists wanting to go west on Perdido Beach Boulevard will need to go to the Cotton Bayou U-turn after turning left.

On the night of Tuesday, March 7th, the Hwy. 161/Perdido Beach Boulevard traffic signal will be completely shut down all night. Orange Beach police officers will set up a three-way stop at the intersection for the duration of the signal outage. The signal is expected to be operational again for morning traffic.

For the week of March 13th to March 17th, the one westerly southbound Hwy. 161 right-turn lane will remain closed as the ALDOT-required improvements continue. The two left-turn lanes will be open, and motorists wanting to go west on Perdido Beach Boulevard will still be routed to the Cotton Bayou U-turn. By the end of the day on Friday, March 17th, all southbound Hwy. 161 lanes are expected to be open, weather permitting.

The pedestrian crosswalks at the Hwy 161 and beach highway intersection will be closed from March 7th to March 14th.

For the week of March 20th to March 24th, the westbound left turn lane on Perdido Beach Boulevard leading to the U-turn west of the Hwy. 161 intersection, across from Starbucks and in front of Coast-AL, will be closed.

All road work is expected to be complete on Friday, March 24th, weather permitting.

Sunset Thoughts ~ 🌊💛🎄🧡🌊

20 Things To Do In Orange Beach, Alabama There's plenty of things to do in Orange Beach (Alabama), from spending time on the beach to boating, fishing and simply relaxing in nature.

Every year, citizens and tourists lose vehicle keys at our local beaches, and every year, citizens and tourists turn in lost vehicle keys to the Orange Beach Police Department. Per Orange Beach Police Department’s Policy, these lost vehicle keys are retained for six months and then destroyed. Our Evidence Custodians have contacted vehicle manufacturers in the past and have concluded that there is no record for vehicle keys and vehicle owners.

If you lose your keys in the City of Orange Beach, it is highly recommended that you contact the Orange Beach Police Department and check if your keys have been turned into the Orange Beach Police Department.

The picture is a combination of keys that have been recovered in the past 3 months. These keys cost anywhere between $250 to $800 to replace and there is a total of $3,300 of vehicle keys in this picture.

Shrimp Festival is officially back on in Gulf Shores after 2 years off The pandemic canceled Shrimp Festival two straight years.

Hello friends and fellow fisherman.

You may or may not know, but our good friend Sonny "Cheese" Alawine, is having some health issues.
His friends have decided to raise some money to help out with his medical expenses.
If you would like to donate, we suggest doing so through the Orange Beach Fishing Association Compassion Fund. All donations will go directly to Sonny and it is tax deductible.

Make checks payable to, and mail to:

OBFA Compassion Fund
C/O Tom Ard
6205 Yellowfin St.
Orange Beach Alabama 36561

Make a note that you would like to donate to Sonny.

Thank you very much!

Friends Fond of Cheese

Redirecting to https://www.gulfshores.com/blog/unique-adventures-to-experience-this-fall-on-alabamas-beaches/

This is our third Kemp's Ridley sea turtle release this year. They have the highest level of conservation concern here in the state of Alabama, so hopefully we see a few more nests this year on the beach!

We are looking for dependable and responsible people interested in employment. We have work available throughout the week and weekends.
Weekends are a must!

• Competitive Pay
• Transportation and cell phone required.
• Looking for individuals or teams
• Must have valid Drivers License

If interested, please complete the application attached:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfJ0HnnIeW9qWiQ4AqO-BnlwYWrRyjmy8XEq7ChKKH_Td5keQ/viewform

Spring Break is still partying along! Let’s get your rentals on our schedule for turnaround cleanings!

Ask about our low moisture cleanings for a faster drying time, perfect for turnarounds.

Call our office (251) 955-1234

Carpet
Tile
Upholstery
Drapes
Mattress
24/7 Emergency Response
Water Damage
Fire Damage

Call on the PROS!
(251) 955-1234
www.callonthePROS.com

Photo from Meyer Vacation Rentals https://www.meyerre.com/area/beaches/

$74 million indoor water park will open at OWA this May OWA Parks & Resort

A $74 million indoor water park will open at OWA this in May in an area of the Foley destination district that will now be branded Tropic Falls at OWA and include the entertainment resort’s signature amusement park.
With the new addition of the waterpark, now a single gate admission ticket can be purchased for multiple attractions. Tickets and pricing information for the new waterpark will be available this Spring
The indoor water park will be a year-round attraction and include 11 slides, a lazy river and a children’s area.
The 65,000-ft building will be the first in the entire country to include a retractable walls and a retractable roof, according to OWA officials.
Some of the slides will have loops that extend outside the walls, and one, aptly named Tangerine Scream, will have a 75 ft. vertical drop. Another notable slide is Piranha Plunge, a 75’ super loop with a drop floor.
with a drop floor.
The water park complex will also include a restaurant and retail area, a concert stage, a lazy river, and a 30,000-square-foot outdoor wave pool named Big Water Bay.
The park will also include lockers rooms, private party rooms and an arcade, a kids’ play area with a 6-inch pool and tip buckets, private cabanas, concessions and a cocktail bar and restaurant named Smugglers Café.
Around 300 seasonal workers, including 100 lifeguards, will be hired to work at the water park. Currently, the amusement park employs approximately 375 part-time positions and OWA Corporate Division employs 75 full-time positions
Behind the stage are will be a 48-foot screen that can be used to broadcast movies, simulcasts and football games in high definition or for live performances.
OWA also announced it has partnered with Kidcam Camps to bring summer day camps for children 5-13 to Downtown OWA this summer. Campers will have access to daily activities and programs through Kidcam’s curriculum of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Kids will also enjoy sports, arts and swimming. Camps are scheduled on weekdays from May 31-Aug. 5 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Stephanie Bryan, tribal chair & CEO of the Poarch Creek Indians, said the new water park will be a slice of tropical paradise and a win-win for the Tribe and the City of Foley.
“What better place to go in the summer and winter?” she said.
Originally opened as The Park at OWA in 2017, the resort is transforming its 14-acre amusement park, featuring 23 rides and attractions, as well as a the new water park expansion into a tropical paradise named Tropic Falls.
Being inspired with OWA’s meaning of big water, which is derived from the Muscogee Creek language, the entire amusement park will now be filled with tropical touches allowing guests to feel like they have stepped into an island paradise.
This will include a complete makeover of the front gate and an expansion of tropical theming throughout. Guests can still enjoy the amusement park on weekends during the winter season, even while construction is taking place at the entrance.
“We are incredibly proud of OWA, the direction its moving and the economic impact it continues to have on not only the local community but state as well,’’ said “We are so excited to share that upon completion, Tropic Falls will be the only indoor water park in the United States with a retractable wall and retractable roof, allowing for the ultimate experience in Coastal Alabama climate control,” said Kristin Hellmich, the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for OWA Parks & Resort.
Tropic Falls will introduce a toucan as its first mascot. People can vote on their favorite names for this tropical friend or suggest one themselves through a survey link on OWA Parks & Resort page.
The projected opening date for the water park is May 2022.
OWA is owned and operated by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. OWA’s name is derived from a Creek word for “big water,” and the tropical theme of the 520-acre property was inspired by the Gulf of Mexico. Just outside the ticketed areas is Downtown OWA, a pedestrian-only streetscape was inspired by Southern small towns with numerous options for dining, shopping, and entertainment.
Future planned phases at OWA include a luxury RV Resort with 150+ sites set to open this fall.
https://mulletwrapper.net/74-million-indoor-water-park-will-open-at-owa-this-may/

Restaurants you can take your dogs to on the Alabama Gulf Coast A new Alabama law allows dogs to be in outdoor dining areas and patios if the restaurant wants to allow them. All of the restaurants have to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act rules on service dogs.

Yes :)

GULF SHORES, ALA. – Gulf State Park Pier repair is currently in the permitting phase with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) and we are unsure of when the permit will be completed and issued. However, if all goes well we hope to receive the permit early in 2022. We expect to be able to put this project out for bid by late-February. After a final review of the permit special award conditions, plan specifications, bids, contracting and other process requirements our expectation is to begin construction in April, 2022.

The coordination between the federal agencies and permitting takes time and is a tedious process. If the permitting and bid process goes as planned, we are looking forward to re-opening of the pier near the end of this summer. We recognize the importance of the Pier to our community and guests and are working diligently with all the parties involved to expedite the opening as soon as possible.