Waterfront or Gulf-front - what's your dream view?

If you are thinking that waterfront views and gulf-front views are the same? It's true that they both overlook water but there is a difference. Our coastal area is blessed with an abundance of what we locally call "backwaters" in addition to the majestic Gulf of Mexico. Here's a guide to some of the backwater views available for your vacation retreat:

Fort Morgan area: This area is a peninsula, which is a piece of land boarded by water on three sides but connected to the mainland, with the Gulf of Mexico to the south and Mobile bay to the north. A couple of choices for a get-away-from-it-all treat are Fort Morgan Baywatch, a 1-bedroom, 1-bath cottage sleeping 4 that has a small pier, and Bay Breeze, a 3-bedroom, 2-bath house sleeping 8 with a private pier for fishing or watching gorgeous sunsets on the bay.

Adventure tip: For a cool day experience you can hop on the Mobile Bay Ferry to the barrier island of Dauphin Island to visit Fort Gaines and the Estuarium at Dauphin Island Sea Lab.

Gulf Shores: Little Lagoon and Lake Shelby are situated immediately to the south of the Gulf of Mexico. Here you can find both condos and houses with great views of the lagoon and sometimes a partial gulf view as well. A couple of waterfront choices in a 3-bedroom, 3-bath property sleeping 8 include the house A Dolphins Tale and condo Unit 1502; Bel Sole' both on Little Lagoon.

Adventure tip: The Hummingbird Ziplines send you flying from tower to tower with amazing water views of the Gulf and Lake Shelby. In fact the final tower is located in the lake.

Orange Beach: The backwater in this area has a variety of names depending on the specific location such as Cotton Bayou, Terry Cove and Ole River but each one is commonly called "the bay." Waterfront accommodation choices include a number of condos such as The Pass, Bella Luna, Mariner Pass, Phoenix on the Bay, The Wharf and Caribe. A 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo option that sleeps 4 and offers lots of amenities is Unit 401C; Caribe located at Perdido Pass. A large 6-bedroom, 5.5-bath house located on Ono Island is Ono's Latitude Adjustment which sleeps 16 friends or family members.

Adventure tip: Treat the family to a dolphin cruise or take your sweetheart on a sunset cruise for a memorable nautical experience.

Perdido Key: Ole River is a beautiful sight from your screened porch when you choose the 5-bedroom, 4.5-bath house Marbella which features a private boat dock and sleeps 14. You can sleep 10 at Unit 303; Sailmaker's Place, a 5-bedroom, 5.5-bath condo choice located on the Intracoastal Waterway.

Adventure tip: Climb to the top of the observatory tower at Big Lagoon State Park for a birds eye view.

So I hope you won't be confused by the property description of a "waterfront view" and that you will find this guide helpful to discover a coastal backwater treasure.

See you at the beach.