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As the days grow longer and Mother Nature finally forgives us for whatever we did to deserve the winter we just had (sheesh!), many of you are turning your bows toward northern cruising grounds in Canada and the Great Lakes. With the New York State Canals not scheduled to open until May 15, there’s no need to rush. Take your time. Meander. Explore. The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW) is rich with experiences you won’t want to miss.

Please help us welcome four new sponsors! Make sure you add Anchorage Marina to your agenda when you get to Baltimore, plan to keep your boat in tiptop shape with help from Revolutions Marine, be ready to anchor and tie up at the dock with Zern Rigging, and get personalized items to share with the people you meet from Milner Worldwide. Of course, we encourage you to support all these businesses that support the Great Loop ~ including the ones who helped make Looper-palooza such a success!

It's important that we don't let our guard down. Here's what we are expecting for 2026...

A couple of years ago, we created a planning guide email tip series to help take some of the mystery out of “Where do I start?” when planning your own Great Loop adventure. We’ve decided to share the series in the next ten issues of Great Loop Link because (even if we do say so ourselves!) it’s great information.

The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW) is one of the most popular and rewarding cruising routes in the United States. Stretching roughly 1,100 miles from Norfolk, Virginia to Key West, Florida, the AICW offers protected waters, charming towns, abundant wildlife, and countless cruising memories. At the same time, it presents unique navigational challenges that require preparation, attention, and flexibility. The following tips will help you navigate the Atlantic ICW safely and confidently.

It’s 2026, and that means we’re once again fundraising to support our advocacy efforts. Our budget is spent almost entirely for a lobbyist in Florida, which has been the perennial focal point of attacks on the rights of active cruisers to the waterway. Read on to learn why it is so important we keep pressing forward.

Many of our sponsor marinas have been recognized for their outstanding service to the boating community. We encourage you to plan on visiting them on your Great Loop adventure.

Dreaming of cruising the Great Loop but not quite ready for the full adventure? Want to test your boating skills on a smaller scale? The Florida Loop is an excellent way to dip your toes into long-distance cruising.

Read on to find out what you can expect from the boat-buying market in the coming year.

Do you really need all the latest and greatest technology to cruise the Great Loop? Gold Looper Dave Kansler says not necessarily. Read on to learn more.

Come along with Gold Looper Malissa Marsden as we continue enjoying some of the best bites to be found on the Great Loop. Get ready for all things seafood!

Help us welcome SkyMed, who is dedicated to your safety out on the water. And, if you're in the market for a Loop boat, check out The Yacht Zone and see what's out there. While the northern portions of the route are cold and snowed in, a subscription to Southern Boating & Yachting will help keep you warm while you wait out the spring thaw. As always, we encourage you to support these businesses that support the Great Loop!

If you are cruising the Great Loop during the holiday season, you might be wondering how to capture familiar traditions aboard your boat. You are away from the routines you once relied on, and your family may be gathered somewhere you are not. Your onboard space is far smaller than a house. But celebrating from the water can be wonderful when you embrace the moment rather than trying to duplicate every detail from life on land.

Thank you to all of our amazing sponsors for helping make the 2025 Fall Rendezvous our biggest and best one yet! Also, please help us welcome one of our newest sponsors, Maritime Medicine, helping you stay safe on the water. 

There are countless moments during your Loop when friends and family may want to join you onboard—cruising past the Statue of Liberty, riding across the Big Chute Marine Railway, or taking a side trip into Nashville. But no time draws loved ones more than the holiday season. The desire to gather with family doesn’t disappear just because you’re several hundred miles from home, enjoying docktails under the Florida sunshine.

We've got all the best Great Loop gifts this holiday season!