What Is the Great Loop?
The Great Loop is a continuous waterway that circles the eastern half of the United States and part of Canada.
It connects the Great Lakes, inland rivers, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway into one navigable route… a journey of thousands of miles completed entirely by boat.
For us, it represents something simple: the chance to see the country slowly, from the water.
What routes will we take?
There are many ways to move through the Loop.
Some boaters begin in the Great Lakes and head south before winter. Others start along the coast and follow the seasons north. Timing matters — so do bridge heights, water levels, hurricane season, and personal commitments back home.
We are studying charts. We are listening to stories and watching videos. We have just started asking questions.
In the end, we will pick a path because it felt perfectly timed — like a kite catching the right breeze, both on the calendar and in the chapter of our lives.
More to come on our routes soon!
How It Works
The journey includes:
Inland rivers with working locks
Open stretches of big water
Narrow canals and historic towns
Coastal cruising along the ICW
It requires planning — but it also rewards flexibility.
Weather changes. Plans shift. Marinas fill up. Anchorages surprise you.
Part of the adventure is learning when to hold steady and when to adjust course.
Following Along
When we launch, you’ll find updates on where we are now. Every mile has a story. This is where it will happened.