Cruising America’s Great Loop: Guides, Courses & Essential Gear

Map of America's Great Loop route

Great Loop Cruising Resources

America’s Great Loop is a bucket-list adventure—6,000 miles of waterways through the U.S., with routes into Canada and the Bahamas. These guides, courses, and references will help you plan, stay organized, and cruise with confidence.

Be Ready for the Great Loop

A smooth Great Loop journey starts with the right knowledge, tools, and resources. We've got the guides, courses, and other resources to help you have a fantastic adventure!

Cruising Guides for the Great Loop: Fast, Reliable Info

Cruising the Great Loop means always moving—but finding fuel, anchorages, and services shouldn’t slow you down. Our guides put key info at your fingertips with clear, organized tables, so you spend less time searching and more time cruising.

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A Perfect Anchorage

Go down the columns to find the features you want

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Stores & Services

Know the best and nearest place to head for everything you need

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Bridges

Location, name, height, tide, schedule, and how to call

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Haulouts

Location, restrictions including max. beam, and how to contact

💲 Free Docks

Find convenient spots to tie up without the cost

👉 Inlets & Cuts

Navigate confidently, knowing what to expect at each one

⚠ Nav Alerts

Identify trouble spots and key areas to watch for safe cruising

✔ Quick Reminders

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.

Courses to Prepare You for the Great Loop

Cruising the Great Loop isn’t just about navigation—it’s about handling daily life aboard. Whether you're planning or already underway, get the skills you need to cruise with confidence. Choose one or get the All-Access Pass for to cover it all!

Essential References & Organizers for a Smooth Great Loop Journey

Stay organized on the Great Loop with tools designed by experienced cruisers. Practical resources for a smoother, stress-free adventure!

Where You've Seen Us

Cruisers University logo, where The Boat Galley team teaches in-depth liveaboard and cruising seminars.AGLCA logo, representing seminars and resources shared by The Boat Galley team for Great Loop cruisers.American Sailing Association logo, highlighting seminars led by The Boat Galley team for sailors.Boat US Magazine logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s tips for boat owners and cruisers.The New York Times logo, featuring interviews with The Boat Galley team on cruising and boat life preparation.SAIL Magazine logo, featuring articles by The Boat Galley team about life aboard and sailing tips.Cruising World logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s contributions on successful cruising and boat life.The Weather Channel logo, highlighting The Boat Galley team’s hurricane prep advice for boaters in live interviews.Spinsheet Magazine logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s published articles on boating and cruising.Boating Writers International logo, 1st place award for excellence in boating articles.Bluewater Sailing Magazine logo, highlighting articles by The Boat Galley team on offshore sailing.Salty Dawg Sailing Association logo, showcasing seminars delivered by The Boat Galley team for members.SSCA logo, highlighting seminars by The Boat Galley team on successful liveaboard cruising.PassageMaker Magazine logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s expertise on cruising powerboats.Good Old Boat Magazine logo, showcasing articles by The Boat Galley team on maintaining and cruising older boats.
Cruisers University logo, where The Boat Galley team teaches in-depth liveaboard and cruising seminars.AGLCA logo, representing seminars and resources shared by The Boat Galley team for Great Loop cruisers.American Sailing Association logo, highlighting seminars led by The Boat Galley team for sailors.Boat US Magazine logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s tips for boat owners and cruisers.The New York Times logo, featuring interviews with The Boat Galley team on cruising and boat life preparation.SAIL Magazine logo, featuring articles by The Boat Galley team about life aboard and sailing tips.Cruising World logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s contributions on successful cruising and boat life.The Weather Channel logo, highlighting The Boat Galley team’s hurricane prep advice for boaters in live interviews.Spinsheet Magazine logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s published articles on boating and cruising.Boating Writers International logo, 1st place award for excellence in boating articles.Bluewater Sailing Magazine logo, highlighting articles by The Boat Galley team on offshore sailing.Salty Dawg Sailing Association logo, showcasing seminars delivered by The Boat Galley team for members.SSCA logo, highlighting seminars by The Boat Galley team on successful liveaboard cruising.PassageMaker Magazine logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s expertise on cruising powerboats.Good Old Boat Magazine logo, showcasing articles by The Boat Galley team on maintaining and cruising older boats.
Cruisers University logo, where The Boat Galley team teaches in-depth liveaboard and cruising seminars.AGLCA logo, representing seminars and resources shared by The Boat Galley team for Great Loop cruisers.American Sailing Association logo, highlighting seminars led by The Boat Galley team for sailors.Boat US Magazine logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s tips for boat owners and cruisers.The New York Times logo, featuring interviews with The Boat Galley team on cruising and boat life preparation.SAIL Magazine logo, featuring articles by The Boat Galley team about life aboard and sailing tips.Cruising World logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s contributions on successful cruising and boat life.The Weather Channel logo, highlighting The Boat Galley team’s hurricane prep advice for boaters in live interviews.Spinsheet Magazine logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s published articles on boating and cruising.Boating Writers International logo, 1st place award for excellence in boating articles.Bluewater Sailing Magazine logo, highlighting articles by The Boat Galley team on offshore sailing.Salty Dawg Sailing Association logo, showcasing seminars delivered by The Boat Galley team for members.SSCA logo, highlighting seminars by The Boat Galley team on successful liveaboard cruising.PassageMaker Magazine logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s expertise on cruising powerboats.Good Old Boat Magazine logo, showcasing articles by The Boat Galley team on maintaining and cruising older boats.
Cruisers University logo, where The Boat Galley team teaches in-depth liveaboard and cruising seminars.AGLCA logo, representing seminars and resources shared by The Boat Galley team for Great Loop cruisers.American Sailing Association logo, highlighting seminars led by The Boat Galley team for sailors.Boat US Magazine logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s tips for boat owners and cruisers.The New York Times logo, featuring interviews with The Boat Galley team on cruising and boat life preparation.SAIL Magazine logo, featuring articles by The Boat Galley team about life aboard and sailing tips.Cruising World logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s contributions on successful cruising and boat life.The Weather Channel logo, highlighting The Boat Galley team’s hurricane prep advice for boaters in live interviews.Spinsheet Magazine logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s published articles on boating and cruising.Boating Writers International logo, 1st place award for excellence in boating articles.Bluewater Sailing Magazine logo, highlighting articles by The Boat Galley team on offshore sailing.Salty Dawg Sailing Association logo, showcasing seminars delivered by The Boat Galley team for members.SSCA logo, highlighting seminars by The Boat Galley team on successful liveaboard cruising.PassageMaker Magazine logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s expertise on cruising powerboats.Good Old Boat Magazine logo, showcasing articles by The Boat Galley team on maintaining and cruising older boats.
Cruisers University logo, where The Boat Galley team teaches in-depth liveaboard and cruising seminars.AGLCA logo, representing seminars and resources shared by The Boat Galley team for Great Loop cruisers.American Sailing Association logo, highlighting seminars led by The Boat Galley team for sailors.Boat US Magazine logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s tips for boat owners and cruisers.The New York Times logo, featuring interviews with The Boat Galley team on cruising and boat life preparation.SAIL Magazine logo, featuring articles by The Boat Galley team about life aboard and sailing tips.Cruising World logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s contributions on successful cruising and boat life.The Weather Channel logo, highlighting The Boat Galley team’s hurricane prep advice for boaters in live interviews.Spinsheet Magazine logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s published articles on boating and cruising.Boating Writers International logo, 1st place award for excellence in boating articles.Bluewater Sailing Magazine logo, highlighting articles by The Boat Galley team on offshore sailing.Salty Dawg Sailing Association logo, showcasing seminars delivered by The Boat Galley team for members.SSCA logo, highlighting seminars by The Boat Galley team on successful liveaboard cruising.PassageMaker Magazine logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s expertise on cruising powerboats.Good Old Boat Magazine logo, showcasing articles by The Boat Galley team on maintaining and cruising older boats.
Cruisers University logo, where The Boat Galley team teaches in-depth liveaboard and cruising seminars.AGLCA logo, representing seminars and resources shared by The Boat Galley team for Great Loop cruisers.American Sailing Association logo, highlighting seminars led by The Boat Galley team for sailors.Boat US Magazine logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s tips for boat owners and cruisers.The New York Times logo, featuring interviews with The Boat Galley team on cruising and boat life preparation.SAIL Magazine logo, featuring articles by The Boat Galley team about life aboard and sailing tips.Cruising World logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s contributions on successful cruising and boat life.The Weather Channel logo, highlighting The Boat Galley team’s hurricane prep advice for boaters in live interviews.Spinsheet Magazine logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s published articles on boating and cruising.Boating Writers International logo, 1st place award for excellence in boating articles.Bluewater Sailing Magazine logo, highlighting articles by The Boat Galley team on offshore sailing.Salty Dawg Sailing Association logo, showcasing seminars delivered by The Boat Galley team for members.SSCA logo, highlighting seminars by The Boat Galley team on successful liveaboard cruising.PassageMaker Magazine logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s expertise on cruising powerboats.Good Old Boat Magazine logo, showcasing articles by The Boat Galley team on maintaining and cruising older boats.
Cruisers University logo, where The Boat Galley team teaches in-depth liveaboard and cruising seminars.AGLCA logo, representing seminars and resources shared by The Boat Galley team for Great Loop cruisers.American Sailing Association logo, highlighting seminars led by The Boat Galley team for sailors.Boat US Magazine logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s tips for boat owners and cruisers.The New York Times logo, featuring interviews with The Boat Galley team on cruising and boat life preparation.SAIL Magazine logo, featuring articles by The Boat Galley team about life aboard and sailing tips.Cruising World logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s contributions on successful cruising and boat life.The Weather Channel logo, highlighting The Boat Galley team’s hurricane prep advice for boaters in live interviews.Spinsheet Magazine logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s published articles on boating and cruising.Boating Writers International logo, 1st place award for excellence in boating articles.Bluewater Sailing Magazine logo, highlighting articles by The Boat Galley team on offshore sailing.Salty Dawg Sailing Association logo, showcasing seminars delivered by The Boat Galley team for members.SSCA logo, highlighting seminars by The Boat Galley team on successful liveaboard cruising.PassageMaker Magazine logo, featuring The Boat Galley team’s expertise on cruising powerboats.Good Old Boat Magazine logo, showcasing articles by The Boat Galley team on maintaining and cruising older boats.

Meet The Boat Galley Team

At The Boat Galley, we’re all cruisers. We know the joys—and the challenges—of boat life. The steep learning curve, costly mistakes, and hours spent searching for answers can be overwhelming. We’ve been there. That’s why we’ve created practical tools, trusted resources, and real-world guides to help you skip the frustrations and focus on enjoying your cruising life.

Curious about our story and what drives us? Learn more about us here.