The Gulf Coast region plays a vital role in the Great Loop in connection with the inland rivers around Mobile and Florida and provides some of the most diverse cruising grounds for the Great Loop trip. Many Loopers take the Gulf Coast region route from the inland rivers to Mobile, Alabama, then proceed through portions of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) to Florida. However, the exact course can change since the Great Loop is not a single set course. For Great Loopers, the Gulf Coast region includes the Mobile Bay region, parts of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW), Florida's Panhandle, and Florida's Gulf Coast. The AGLCA confirms that the Gulf region is part of the Great Loop course and that there are different route alternatives. Since this is a coastal navigation region, current charts, weather forecast, water level, navigation advisories, and other conditions must be checked before setting out. Where Does the Gulf Coast Section Begin? For those Loopers who are makin...

Florida is an important part of the Great Loop, and the Okeechobee Waterway provides an inland connection between the Gulf of Mexico and Florida's Atlantic coast. Instead of continuing around the Florida Keys, Loopers can cross southern Florida, traveling from the Fort Myers area through the Caloosahatchee River, Lake Okeechobee, and the St. Lucie Canal toward Stuart. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) describes the Okeechobee Waterway as a 155-mile-long channel extending from Fort Myers to Stuart, with a maintained depth ranging from approximately 8 to 10 feet. The waterway combines natural waterways and engineered navigation channels and supports both recreational and commercial navigation. What Is the Okeechobee Waterway? The Okeechobee Waterway, commonly called the "Big O," connects the Gulf of Mexico with Florida's Atlantic coast. For Great Loop cruisers, it provides an inland alternative to continuing south along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway toward the F...

One of the most significant waterways for boaters making America's Great Loop voyage is the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). Rather than being one continuous canal, it is a network of various water bodies such as rivers, bays, sounds, canals, etc. The mileage of the Intracoastal Waterway, according to NOAA, begins from Mile 0.0 in Norfolk, Virginia, and ends at Mile 1243.8 in Key West, Florida. The maintenance of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway from Norfolk to Miami lies under the Norfolk District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. What Is the Intracoastal Waterway? ICW is not a single canal; rather, it consists of various canals. ICW miles have been used by the NOAA to mark location points in the ICW with Mile 0.0 in Norfolk and Mile 1243.8 at Key West. The design depth along sections of the federal project is different, but the dimensions of the federal project are not always real-time controlling depths. According to NOAA, the federal project is providing 12 feet from Norfolk t...

The Atlantic Coast is among the most diverse navigation segments on the Great Loop. Unlike other navigational routes that are open waters only, the Atlantic Coast has the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), sounds, bays, rivers, canals, and tidal waterways. The normal route for northbound traffic is the ICW route through Florida up to Norfolk, Virginia, and onward through the Chesapeake and Delaware Bay area, New Jersey, New York, and onto the Hudson River. Atlantic Coast Route Description The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway has a protected passage behind the Atlantic Coast. According to NOAA's 2026 U.S. Coast Pilot, the ICW is a toll-free waterway running over 1,243 statute miles from Norfolk, Virginia, to Key West, Florida. ICW mileage starts at Mile 0 from Norfolk to about Mile 1,243.8 at Key West. There are different segments and options in the ICW that boaters cannot take for granted. i-Boating's GPS Nautical Charts Great Loop  allows for interactive planning of the route...

It is important to remember that planning America’s Great Loop involves more than just printing out a map with a colored line marking your route. The Great Loop passes through a lot of water, from the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Gulf waterways, rivers, the Great Lakes, and Canadian canals. Different routes will require different charts, as there are different navigation issues along each route. The Great Loop is a continuous cruising route through the eastern parts of North America. A useful overview of the route is available through GPS Nautical Charts’ America’s Great Loop map . But for navigation purposes, a Loop map must be used as a guide to planning a route and not as a replacement for nautical charts. The required chart products will depend on the waters you plan to transit and the craft you will be using on those waters. Start With Official Electronic Navigational Charts For the U.S. portions of the Great Loop, the NOAA Electronic Navigational Chart, or ENC...

The Great Loop plan involves far more than the mere process of mapping out a route and deciding when to leave. America's Great Loop is an adventurous voyage of approximately 6,000 miles by boat, taking place in a network of water routes in eastern America and some parts of Canada. These include the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Chesapeake Bay, New York waterways, Great Lakes, Canadian waterways, inland rivers, and the Gulf Coast. Since the circumstances differ quite substantially in each section of the journey, planning should start long before you set sail. Proper planning will allow you to enjoy flexibility without being left at the mercy of safety, navigation, or documentation issues. Check out this list of major areas to prepare for before your Great Loop voyage. 1. Make Sure Your Boat is Properly Suited for the Route You’re Taking The boat is the most essential component of the entire journey. Before starting out, assess whether it is properly suited for the water bodies an...

Navigating America’s Great Loop differs from following a track from a map. The route goes through coastal waterways, canals, rivers, and big lakes with various depths, bridges with restrictions, locks, currents, and weather changes. A miscalculation can place a boater in shallow water, create a clearance issue at the bridge, or require an unplanned deviation from the route. Here are 10 navigation mistakes that a new Looper should be aware of. 1. Thinking the Great Loop Route Is Fixed Although the Great Loop is about a 6,000-mile route, it is not a fixed route. According to AGLCA, it consists of several major segments and different routes, especially near New York, Canada, and other sections. In fact, your air draft will be a factor when choosing a particular route to take, such as the Erie Canal, the Triangle Route, or the Oswego Canal route to Lake Ontario. Plan each segment of the route separately and do not create one long track that would fit the whole journey. 2. Relying on O...

The Great Loop of America is not any specific river, canal, or coastline. It is a system of waterways that create a looping route covering about 6,000 miles in the eastern part of America and Canada. It involves the use of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, the Chesapeake Bay, New York waterways, Canadian waterways, the Great Lakes, inland rivers, and the Gulf Coast. As a new looper, the main challenge is not only about being knowledgeable regarding the course of the loop. There are several other things that you should be aware of in terms of how the waterway loop operates. The interactive   America’s Great Loop map from GPS Nautical Charts  is useful for seeing how these waterways connect. Its charting coverage also includes detailed inland-river and Erie Canal information, with charts available for offline use. Where Does the Great Loop Start? There is no officially designated starting point. One can start from any point along the way, and where one starts determines ...

One of the most unique waterways for boating in Canada is the Trent-Severn Waterway. Being 386 km long, this historical waterway links Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay via rivers, lakes, canals, and lockstations. In terms of boating, this waterway offers a variety of attractions such as attractive waterways, historical towns, marinas, and other elements. But boating the Trent-Severn Waterway is not just putting the waterway into your GPS. There are locks, bridges, water levels, navigation buoys, speed limiters, shoals, and many other aspects that have to be taken into consideration. This boating guide to the Trent Severn Waterway is meant to give you the information needed for a safe journey. Understanding the Trent-Severn Waterway The Trent-Severn Waterway extends across central Ontario, connecting Lake Ontario at Trenton to Georgian Bay at Port Severn. During their travel on the route, boaters encounter many lakes and rivers and also go through lockstations. One unique feature is the Big...

The Whitsundays is considered one of Australia’s top boating areas due to the many tropical islands, bays, beaches, and proximity to the Great Barrier Reef that it contains. Whether you choose to sail, rent a powerboat, or explore on a yacht, boating allows you to travel around the area as you wish. There are certain things that you need to be aware of when boating in the Whitsundays. These include tides, weather conditions, reefs, shallow waters, and Marine Park rules, which could all impact your trip. This guide covers what you need to know before you set out. Why Boating in the Whitsundays? The Whitsundays have a diverse selection of spots to choose from, which are best visited by boat. Some popular destinations include Whitehaven Beach, Hill Inlet, Hook Island, Hamilton Island, Hayman Island, South Molle Island, Nara Inlet, and Butterfly Bay. With a boat, you can visit a number of islands, find some secluded bays, and modify your itinerary based on the weather conditions and the co...

  From sailing along the coast to a fishing expedition or just exploring new waters, knowing the nautical chart symbols is among the most crucial boating skills that you could have. Even with the advancement in navigation technology through the use of GPS chartplotters, navigation still depends on standardized nautical chart symbols, which provide important information such as depth of water, hazards, navigation aid facilities, and no-go areas. Such symbols have been set up by international hydrography organizations for consistency of chart symbols on both paper and electronic nautical charts. Using advanced navigation technology provided by GPS Nautical Charts on mobile devices such as phones and tablets, boaters can access detailed marine charts. But being able to interpret these symbols makes you navigate safely and confidently. ​ Why Nautical Chart Symbols Matter As opposed to road maps, nautical charts offer far more than directions. They include information on underwater topo...