Intracoastal Waterway Travel: Essential Guides, VHF Tips & Resources
Heading North
Make your trip north smooth, safe, and stress-free as you spend less time planning and organizing and more time enjoying boatlife.
ICW Cruising Guide
Norfolk, VA to Miami, FL
Whether you're making the full journey or just exploring a section near home, knowing where to stop along the Intracoastal Waterway makes all the difference. Our quick reference cruising guide give you quick, stress-free access to the essentials—fuel docks, marinas, anchorages, grocery stores, pet-friendly stops, and more—all organized to help you cruise efficiently.
With detailed, easy-to-use tables, you'll spend less time searching and more time enjoying the waterway, whether you're planning a long-distance adventure, hightailing it north or south, or simply having a weekend getaway.
Go down the columns to find the features you want
Know the best and nearest place to head for everything you need
Location, name, height, tide, schedule, and how to call
Location, restrictions including max. beam, and how to contact
Find convenient spots to tie up without the cost
Navigate confidently, knowing what to expect at each one
Identify trouble spots and key areas to watch for safe cruising
Dredging markers and horn signals
Need it now? Or don't have a shipping address? No problem! All our guides are available as PDF downloads, in addition to the print copies. Order the PDF to get it instantly without the worry of where to have it sent.
Up-to-date, quick-reference guide for anchorages, marinas, haulouts, and services in the Chesapeake Bay -- Norfolk to the C&D Canal, including all rivers
$32.92
Keep your boat paperwork secure, organized, and instantly accessible with space for up to 400 pages. Includes a checklist of essential documents to have aboard. Super-helpful when checking into marinas or if stopped for an inspection.
Where You've Seen Us
Real Cruisers, Real Experience on the ICW
When it comes to cruising the ICW, we don’t just teach it—we’ve lived it. Seven out of eight members of The Boat Galley team have spent significant time navigating the ICW, from its winding rivers to its tricky bridges. We’ve called for bridge openings, found the best anchorages, and figured out where to get fuel, water, and groceries along the way.
Our firsthand experience means we know the challenges you’ll face—and we’ve created resources to help you cruise with confidence. Whether you’re tackling the entire Intracoastal Waterway or just planning a weekend trip, we’re here to make your journey smoother, safer, and more enjoyable.
- Founder of The Boat Galley
- 17 years liveaboard cruiser
- US, Mexico, Bahamas, Central America, Virgin Islands, Turkey
- Cruisers University instructor
- Cruising Guide creator
- 6 years living aboard and cruising
- US East Coast from Florida Keys to Maine and Bahamas
- Ex-Air Force; singlehander
- Provisioning guru; podcaster
- On & off living aboard since 1992
- Atlantic crossing; US, Caribbean, and Bahamas
- Years of cruising with kids
- VHF pro and frugal cruiser
- Cruiser and delivery captain
- US East Coast, Bahamas, Haiti, and Caribbean
- Cruisers University instructor
- Creator of Cruising With Your Dog
- 7 years cruising with Honey
- US East Coast and ICW
- Part of the Go Pet Friendly team
- 15+ years writing about dogs
- Graphics designer
- 8 years living aboard
- US East Coast to SE Caribbean
- Design and layout for all printed products
- Social media coordinator
- Pacific Ocean: Seattle, WA to New Zealand, incl. French Polynesia
- Complete newbie to sailing prior to her 11,000 nm voyage
- Boatshow booth "mom"
- Sabbatical and part-year cruiser
- US, Bahamas, Caribbean
- Family cruising New England to southern Caribbean
Curious about our story and what drives us? Learn more about us here.