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For many Loopers—both those planning and those already underway—the Great Loop is often thought of as a single 6,000-mile route through a connected system of waterways across the eastern United States. It links the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, the Great Lakes, inland rivers, and the Gulf of Mexico. It doesn’t take long, however, to realize that the Loop is far from a single fixed path. In fact, there are numerous alternate routes within the Loop itself. This flexibility is one of the reasons many Gold Loopers continue cruising in pursuit of the Platinum Burgee—they discover there are far more ways to complete the Loop than they originally imagined.

Greetings, Loopers! As you cruise north along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW), an unforgettable culinary journey awaits—one delicious bite at a time along the East Coast.

We recommend creating at least a ballpark budget as early in the planning process as possible. For most future Loopers, one big question looms: Can we actually afford to do the Great Loop? Understanding the potential costs upfront helps answer that question and shapes many of the decisions that follow.

As Loopers make their way to the Chesapeake, a route choice presents itself near the North Carolina/Virginia border. Boats can continue on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW) or take a diversion along an alternate route, the Dismal Swamp Canal. Each captain and crew will need to decide which route to follow. To aid that decision, here are a few details and the pros and cons of each.

Don't miss the SkyMed Zoom event to learn why YOU need SkyMed Coverage. If you're looking for an outboard motor, check out Tohatsu America. Tohatsu is Japan’s oldest outboard manufacturer, producing high quality, durable outboard motors since 1956. Their experience and innovation are yours for the taking.

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!