CRUISING AMERICA'S GREAT LOOP
America's Great Loop
Cruising at an average speed of 10mph for 140 day trips averaging only 42 miles a day - this voyage will take you near 6,000 miles around North America while 'cruising by the seasons' provides the safest most comfortable weather, and gives you 200 days or more if you wish, for relaxing & having fun ashore. Depending on your detours and s
Cruising at an average speed of 10mph for 140 day trips averaging only 42 miles a day - this voyage will take you near 6,000 miles around North America while 'cruising by the seasons' provides the safest most comfortable weather, and gives you 200 days or more if you wish, for relaxing & having fun ashore. Depending on your detours and side trips. Your adventure can take you thru 22 States or more, and 2 great Provinces in Canada, to over 140 amazing destinations. Most of which, you will want to spend a day or two, (or more). Unlike crossing oceans, you will be cruising inland along the Gulf & Atlantic Intracoastal Waterways, inland lakes, rivers, and manmade canals. In doing so, you will never be far from land and seldom more than a stone's throw from it. With the exception of a single 78-mile day trip on Florida' Gulf, you will never have to face the perils of a wide-open sea - unless you choose to do so. You have the option of cruising an 'all USA' route thru the Erie Canal to the Great Lakes, or with a Passport or Nexis Card, exploring Canada's most popular and beautiful Heritage Canals that will take you to Ottawa, Montreal & Quebec, and the Trent Severn Canal to Georgian Bay, the North Channel and Lake Michigan. From the Soo Locks to the Florida Keys, you will cruise thru Chicago to the Illinois River, down the Mississippi to the Ohio & Tennessee River which will take you to Mobile Bay and the Gulf ICW.
Once you toss your lines to begin this voyage, we guarantee within a month, you will wonder what on earth ever made you think this was going to be difficult or dangerous. If you think about it. . . This voyage is just as safe as making 140-day trips averaging 42 miles a day at about 9mph, and you never need to cruise before or after daylight.
Where can you go?
Your voyage will take you around and through the eastern half of North America. While the Great Loop itself is near 6,000 miles; it also connects you with another 12,000 miles of optional side trips. You will be amazed at all the places this voyage can take you.
From Miami to Mackinac Island, and from Chicago to Chattanooga and on to Charl
Your voyage will take you around and through the eastern half of North America. While the Great Loop itself is near 6,000 miles; it also connects you with another 12,000 miles of optional side trips. You will be amazed at all the places this voyage can take you.
From Miami to Mackinac Island, and from Chicago to Chattanooga and on to Charleston. From New York to New Orleans, and on around the Loop, your journey is filled with hundreds of fabulous destinations, including big lively cities, small towns, quant villas, enchanting Vistas & hidden gems. With all its connected inland waterways, you can take your boat as close to the tropics of the equator as it can the Arctic Circle, and thanks to over 100 Locks, your vessel will go from sea level to an elevation of 900 ft. above it. Whether you're boating through the stunning Heritage Canals of Canada, or cruising along the Erie Canal, there is adventure at every turn and incredible places to visit around every bend in the rivers. From waterfront Restaurants & Tiki Bars, to Lighthouses, Museums, Mansions, Vineyards, and Fishing Villages, from Matamoros, Mexico to Boston, Massachusetts and on to Mackinac Island thru Chicago to Mobile & Miami, you will discover irresistible places that will tempt you off your boat to stop, shop, stay and linger. Previous Loopers call this "The Adventure of a Lifetime", and it will be absolutely shocking to discover all the wonderful and interesting places it will take you. From Kentucky Lake and the Tennessee River, one can take the Cumberland River to Nashville or take the Tennessee River on to Chattanooga & Knoxville, just a 40-minute rental car from Gatlinburg in the Heart of the Smoky Mountains.
BOATING REQUIREMENTS
BOATING REQUIREMENTS
Your boat doesn't need to be new, big, fast or expensive. It simply must be safe, suitable, seaworthy and at least semi-comfortable for long-distance cruising and living aboard. We also recommend a boat that is extremely fuel-efficient and easily affordable.
* Height above the water - Your vessel must be able to clear a 19' 7" fixed bridge
Your boat doesn't need to be new, big, fast or expensive. It simply must be safe, suitable, seaworthy and at least semi-comfortable for long-distance cruising and living aboard. We also recommend a boat that is extremely fuel-efficient and easily affordable.
* Height above the water - Your vessel must be able to clear a 19' 7" fixed bridge. This is the lowest fixed bridge that every Looper must go under. Located just south of Chicago, it is your only waterway connection between the Great Lakes and Inland rivers.
* If you are able to clear 15' 6" fixed bridges you can cruise the full-length of the Erie Canal. If not, there are detours around these bridges.
* Draft or depth under the water - We recommend a fully loaded draft (depth under the water) be no deeper than 4' 6" and less will be better and less stressful. For those cruising the Trent Severn and Canada's Heritage Canals, there is a maximum draft of 5'.
* Beam or width - maximum is 23'.
* Fuel Range - To be safe, we also strongly recommend a fuel range of 275 miles. Currently the very minimum (no reserve) fuel range is 208 miles between Hoppies Marina & Paducah. However, if Hoppies is closed, (as it was on our 2018 voyage), your fuel range jumps from 208 to 245 miles between Alton Marina & Paducah, and the last 50-miles is against a mighty strong 3-mph current on the Illinois river which will slow your boat and burn lots more fuel.
* Length - Your vessel's length is mostly limited by common sense and affordability. Typically, length adds height, and your height is limited to 19' 7". Officially, length has a 93' limit, but the average Looper boat is near 36' and most are between 29' to 39' Seldom will you see a Looper in a vessel exceeding 42'. It's 6000-miles! So, we fervently recommend a very fuel-efficient boat.
EXAMPLE OF BOATS COMPLETING AMERICA'S GREAT LOOP
While we would not recommend all of them, as you can see, you don't need a big, new or fast boat. Most Loopers are cruising in very humble boats 29' to 39' in length, purchased on the used market. Since 1972 Capt. John has made this voyage 11 times in 8 different boats, both sail and power, downsizing from 44' to 26'. So, take some advice: "There is no perfect Great Loop boat. It simply must be safe, suitable, seaworthy, semi-comfortable, and I strongly suggest fuel-efficient and affordable.
Cruising the Loop
Most Loopers plan & take the best part of a year to cruise America's Great Loop. It is not only the safest way to go, it is the most comfortable. We cruise the Loop in a counterclockwise direction. We “Spring UP” the Atlantic ICW in Spring, planning our arrival at the New York State Canal System in mid-May or early June. This puts us out of harm’s way during the Atlantic Hurricane Season. We cruise across the North during the cooler and most comfortable Summer and plan our voyage to “Fall Down” the Inland Rivers during the beautiful Fall. In this manner, we also avoid the Tornado Season in Tornado Ally. Doing so, and timing our voyage in this manner, we end up cruising the much warmer South during winter when the average temperature in Florida is in the mid-70s. Cruising counterclockwise also saves a bundle of fuel, as we are cruising with the currents about 75% of the way..
Current estimates indicate over 400 boaters a year are making all or part of this voyage. Couples make up the vast majority of Loopers while two couples cruising together, families, and solo voyagers are also fairly common.
The vast majority are making this journey in vessels very near 36-feet. The most popular vessel for cruising the Loop is a "true" single engine, full displacement hull Trawler, while Sailboats, Cabin Cruisers are also popular.
Understandably, most vessels cruising the Loop are at least semi-comfortable, fuel-efficient, and equipped with fresh water, cooking appliances, sleeping quarters, refrigeration, marine toilets & showers. Some vessels have central air & heat. For those with a more or less reluctant spouse, truth is, cruising the Loop with the one you love is absolutely the best way to go. This is so much more than a boring long-distance boat ride, most first time Loopers are simply shocked and amazed at all the wonderful destinations that tempt them off their boat to stop, shop, eat out, stay and linger. In truth - failing to budget for all the fun ashore tops the list of first time Looper' regrets. This is the reason for our "More fun than Fuel" Looping philosophy.
a boat load of fun
THE LOOPER'S BUDGET
1st off - I completed this voyage in Jan 2025 with my total fuel & marina expenses of $13,262. Not many can do it for less. Add to that my other boat related expenses including groceries, ice, beverages, insurances, maintenance, canal fees and my total "Boat related Looping expenses jumps to $19,071. Not too many Loopers can do it for less. However. . . I spent another $17,008 being a tourist, eating out, and having fun ashore for a total year long cost of living & cruising of $36,079. Many Loopers will spend $36,079 or more, just for fuel & marina fees. And this is the very reason for my "More Fun than Fuel" Looping philosophy.
Frugal or Flamboyant? - Believe it or not, your existing lifestyle will be the #1 influence on what this voyage cost you. Consciously or unconsciously, it will influence your choice of boat, the number & size of your engines, the amount and cost of your equipment, accessories, amenities, your cruising speed - therefore the cost of your fuel, and the number of nights you pay to stay in a Marina. It will also influence where & how often you eat out & the cost of your meals, and what you spend being a tourist all along the way. Believe us, whatever your comforts, habits and makes you happy at home, you will want it on your boat. Living on your boat won't change that.
a few of our Favorite GREAT LOOP destinations
Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island
"Looper Favorites" - there are hundreds of them. Your favorites are likely to include many of my favorites, while you will find many of your own. Fact remains, we are all different. Our lifestyles, likes and dislikes are all different. When it comes down to choosing your very top #1 favorite destination will prove to be an impossible deci
"Looper Favorites" - there are hundreds of them. Your favorites are likely to include many of my favorites, while you will find many of your own. Fact remains, we are all different. Our lifestyles, likes and dislikes are all different. When it comes down to choosing your very top #1 favorite destination will prove to be an impossible decision. If I had to name only one. . . Well, it might be the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Then again, it might be Leland (Fish Town) or Barefoot Landing, Fort Myers & Sanabel Island. All are favorites for all different reasons. I also love visiting Nashville on the Cumberland and Knoxville on the Tennessee just a 40-minute Uber ride from Gatlinburg in the heat of the Smoky Mountains. Then again, there is the 1,000 Islands, Ottawa and Montreal where the European influence is so vivid and apparent if you woke up there, you'd swear you woke up in Europe with all its Cobble Stone Streets, Sidewalk Cafes and Culinary delights so different & delicious you want to stay and eat it all. Then again, who can pass up good ole southern fried catfish and hickory smoked BBQ? From Mobile Bay to Carrabelle, FL, it's filled with fresh Gulf Oysters and from the Keys to the Carolina's, the regional seafood will have you wanting to come back for more. It makes it impossible to pick just one favorite destination.
The Trent-Severn
Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island
Canada offers World Class cruising thru some of the most beautiful waters and landscapes in the World. While most Loopers take the Trent Severn route to Georgian Bay, North Channel and re-enter US waters near Mackinac Island, both the Trent & Rideau canals along with their waterfront destinations constitute the most popular tourist and re
Canada offers World Class cruising thru some of the most beautiful waters and landscapes in the World. While most Loopers take the Trent Severn route to Georgian Bay, North Channel and re-enter US waters near Mackinac Island, both the Trent & Rideau canals along with their waterfront destinations constitute the most popular tourist and recreation areas in Canada. Every year, tens of thousands of recreational boats pass through its locks. The canals & Locks date back to 1826 and are engineering marvels of amazing achievement. The Trent is 241-miles long with 10mph speed limits & a ton of No Wake Zones that winds though lakes, rivers, canals, and 45 Locks, including two famous Locks. One is the Peterborough hydraulic lift that lifts your boat 65'. The other is the Big Chute Marine Railway Lock 44. This baby that lifts your boat 58' out of the water and takes it 250-yards overland and back in the water on the other side. The Trent-Severn journey itself from Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay has become a bucket-list for thousands of recreation boaters. This waterway is a Looper's amazing shortcut from the Erie/Oswego Canal exit into Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay which leads to the North Channel and Soo Locks to Lake Superior, or to Lakes Huron, Michigan and on to Chicago.
New York
Mackinac Island
New York
If you have never been to New York City, you may never be so close again. Not only will you cruise right beside the Statue of Liberty, but you will also most likely dock at Liberty Landing Marina and have easy access to discover why NYC is the place that never sleeps. From Ellis Island to Midtown Manhattan, Central Park, Times Square, Lit
If you have never been to New York City, you may never be so close again. Not only will you cruise right beside the Statue of Liberty, but you will also most likely dock at Liberty Landing Marina and have easy access to discover why NYC is the place that never sleeps. From Ellis Island to Midtown Manhattan, Central Park, Times Square, Little Italy, China Town, Carnegie Hall, St Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, Greenwich Village, Madison Square Park. to the 9/11 Memorial site & Museum. . . There is no better place for 'people watching' and discovering some fascinating places to eat with unlimited street side venders, shopping and more Bars than Parking spaces. I wouldn't want to live there, but it is an incredible place to visit.
New York City at Battery Park, which is across the river from Liberty Landing Marina, is the start of your journey up the Hudson River. You will still be in tidal waters until you pass thru the Lock 1 entrance to the NY State Canal System near Waterford, NY. This is a 128-mile voyage from Liberty Landing, and on the way, you will cruise by Westpoint Naval and 8 historic Lighthouses. The 1st of which is the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor keeping watch at the mouth of the Hudson River.
Leland Michigan
Knoxville & Gatlinburg
Barefoot Landing
Assuming you are cruising the Loop in the recommended counterclockwise direction, one of our very favorite destinations is about as opposite from the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island as one can get. This is a tiny 'Fish Town" with a welcome home atmosphere with three great restaurants and a charming downtown area offering a bundle of the mo
Assuming you are cruising the Loop in the recommended counterclockwise direction, one of our very favorite destinations is about as opposite from the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island as one can get. This is a tiny 'Fish Town" with a welcome home atmosphere with three great restaurants and a charming downtown area offering a bundle of the most unique shops you will find on the Loop. For starters, it's an active fishing village with picturesque fishing shanties, most of which now house gift and clothing boutiques, art and specialty food shops. Though small, Leland offers tons of interesting things to see and do! It has fun shops and great restaurants. It is a great stop on America's Great Loop.
Barefoot Landing
Knoxville & Gatlinburg
Barefoot Landing
Barefoot Landing, in Myrtle Beach is located at Atlantic ICW mile 354.4. St. Louis, (which offers nothing) should be like this. Barefoot Landing is one of the most welcome over-night stops on the entire ICW. It is 'dockside' and all 17 restaurants, 50+ one-of-a-kind shops, and live entertainment is within very easy walking distance. We al
Barefoot Landing, in Myrtle Beach is located at Atlantic ICW mile 354.4. St. Louis, (which offers nothing) should be like this. Barefoot Landing is one of the most welcome over-night stops on the entire ICW. It is 'dockside' and all 17 restaurants, 50+ one-of-a-kind shops, and live entertainment is within very easy walking distance. We always look forward to arriving at Barefoot Landing, and we especially love Lulu Buffet's restaurant, (yes, Jimmy Buffet's sister) Lulu's offers great food, a fun atmosphere, everything is scratch made on site and never frozen, perfectly cooked and served in heaping helpings. We never can pass up any of Lulu's three restaurants, all located on the Great Loop in Gulf Shores, AL, Destin, FL and Barefoot Landing.
Knoxville & Gatlinburg
Knoxville & Gatlinburg
Knoxville & Gatlinburg
Our favorite Side Trip - From Grand Harbor Marina at mile 449.7 which is located approximately nine miles upstream from the Pickwick Dam at the junction of the Tennessee River and the Tombigbee Waterway at mile marker 449.7 - you will head eastward toward Chattanooga and Knoxville. This is a fantastic 400-mile round trip side trip. The re
Our favorite Side Trip - From Grand Harbor Marina at mile 449.7 which is located approximately nine miles upstream from the Pickwick Dam at the junction of the Tennessee River and the Tombigbee Waterway at mile marker 449.7 - you will head eastward toward Chattanooga and Knoxville. This is a fantastic 400-mile round trip side trip. The rental car distance from Volunteer Landing to Gatlinburg is only 35-miles. We've driven it in 45 minutes, and from downtown Gatlinburg you are 11-miles up the mountain to Kuwohi (formally Clingmans Dome), at 6,643 feet. This is the highest point. in the Smoky Mountains and second highest point east of the Mississippi River. Only North Carolina's Mt. Mitchell at 6,684 feet is higher.
THE WATERWAYS & ROUTES
MARINAS & fUEL Expenses
MARINAS & fUEL Expenses
The most direct 'all USA' route thru the Erie Canal & Great Lakes is the longest route averaging near 5,650-miles. While the most direct Canadian route across the Trent-Severn to Georgian Bay, the North Channel to Lake Michigan will be about 200-miles shorter, but your 'cruising days' will remain the same due to Locks, speed limits and wa
The most direct 'all USA' route thru the Erie Canal & Great Lakes is the longest route averaging near 5,650-miles. While the most direct Canadian route across the Trent-Severn to Georgian Bay, the North Channel to Lake Michigan will be about 200-miles shorter, but your 'cruising days' will remain the same due to Locks, speed limits and wait times. Either way you go, both routes, provide an equal amount of safety and amazingly interesting places to visit.
Starting at Fort Pierce, Florida, the inside protected route up the Atlantic ICW is 1,015-miles. From Norfolk to Cape May is another 500 miles, and from Cape May to Manasquan Inlet on the NJ ICW is 117-milesto where you will head across Hudson Bay 46 miles to the Hudson River. From there, your choice is cruising the full length of the Erie Canal to the Niagara River and Lake Erie or taking the Erie canal to Oswego to enter Lake Ontario and the 240-mile-long Trent Severn to Port Severn and Georgian Bay. From Chicago, your Inland River distance to Mobile Bay is 1,300-miles. From Mobile Bay you are 246-miles along the Gulf ICW to Carrabelle, FL. This is technically the single point on the entire Great Loop where Loopers must leave protected inland waters to enter the Gulf. Your shortest distance across the Gulf is 78-miles to Steinhatchee, FL with an option to venture 178-miles non-stop to Anclote Key near Tarpon Springs Florida where the Florida ICW takes you south to the Okeechobee waterway to Fort Pierse.
If you think about taking the 178 mile crossing, this will be the only place where you must cruise thru the night. For most Loopers that take this route, it generally takes them 4 or more hours than they planned. It's plenty safe, but normally not a comfortable voyage.
MARINAS & fUEL Expenses
MARINAS & fUEL Expenses
MARINAS & fUEL Expenses
Fuel of course is a necessity, and Marinas are nice to have - but this is one voyage where too much of a good thing can be terribly expensive. Fuel & Marina fees rank as the two top Looping expenses for most every Looper. Some have reported spending over $60,000 for fuel & Marinas - but it doesn't have to be that way, or near that expensi
Fuel of course is a necessity, and Marinas are nice to have - but this is one voyage where too much of a good thing can be terribly expensive. Fuel & Marina fees rank as the two top Looping expenses for most every Looper. Some have reported spending over $60,000 for fuel & Marinas - but it doesn't have to be that way, or near that expensive.
We 'budget' our marina stays so they never exceed 124 nights. On an average 330 days we plan to stay in a marina two nights on weekends, which leaves another optional 30 nights to stay longer at our favorite places. Some Loopers will stay in a marina every night they possibly can, this can easily exceed 300 marina stays.
Our 'weekend' preference is based on two factors. 1. It works well with our budget. 2. It puts us safely docked in a Marina when all the local crazies and drinkers are out on the water.
On our most previous voyage in 2023/24, our marina fees averaged we averaged $2.38 a foot length of our boat, plus $15 a night for 15amp electric & water hookups. On my 26' C-Dory that amounted to $62 a night totaling $7,688 for 124 nights in a marina. My friend Terry & his wife in their 36' Kady paid $11,036 or $89 a night. A 45-footer with 30-amp service (for example) would have cost $127 a night or over $38,000 for 300 nights.
Our suggestion? Some marinas offer nothing more than a place to dock. If there is nothing nearby, you are better off anchoring out.
As for fuel - No one in our seven boat group paid more than $7,000 for fuel. However, we are all in very fuel-efficient vessels. The two largest being 36' single engine 'true' trawlers. and the two smallest was a 27' Ranger Tug and a 26' C-Dory that took less than $6,000 in fuel.
ANCHORAGES & FREE DOCKS
MARINAS & fUEL Expenses
ANCHORAGES & FREE DOCKS
Regardless of your route in the USA or Canada, you should find no fewer than 42 conveniently located free docks. You may not like all of them, but most of them come in real handy and can't beat the price. In addition, anchoring out is always free, and in many areas 'anchoring out' is a very pleasant experience. There are several areas whe
Regardless of your route in the USA or Canada, you should find no fewer than 42 conveniently located free docks. You may not like all of them, but most of them come in real handy and can't beat the price. In addition, anchoring out is always free, and in many areas 'anchoring out' is a very pleasant experience. There are several areas where you will have no choice but to anchor out and several more where you will want to anchor out. OUR SUGGESTIONS:
Get the very best anchoring system you possibly can. It should be at least one 'upgrade' from the USCG recommended size anchoring system. We always have two anchors. A spare should be mandatory on this voyage because if you lose one, chances are you will need the other immediately.
FYI - You will be boating in rivers with swift currents, and strong tidal waters with reversing currents that will pull your anchor and swing your boat 180 degrees in the opposite direction. Dragging your anchor or having your anchor lose hold can put you in a very embarrassing if not dangerous situation. It is vitally important that you have a great anchoring system and know how to use it safely.
If you option to take the direct 178-mile Gulf crossing, that will be the only time on this voyage you must cruise thru the night, and crossing the Gulf is a safe bet in safe weather. Other than that, we NEVER cruise before daylight or after dark. It is simply too dangerous on the ICWs, rivers and canals where you will find 300' to 900' long barges that cruise 24 hours, not to mention other commercial vessels and fishermen that zoom around the corners at 30+ mph. You also need to make 150% sure, your anchor lights burn bright all night long.
a few of Our favorite restaurants
O'Briens Oyster Bar & Seafood Tavern
O'Briens Oyster Bar & Seafood Tavern
O'Briens Oyster Bar & Seafood Tavern
I don't normally waste my appetite or money eating at a place that specializes in drinks vs food, but O'Brien's Oyster Bar and Seafood Tavern in Annapolis is an exception as well as a historical and distinguished restaurant that offers the best food, the best entertainment, and the best prices, probably in all of Chesapeake Bay. I'm not
I don't normally waste my appetite or money eating at a place that specializes in drinks vs food, but O'Brien's Oyster Bar and Seafood Tavern in Annapolis is an exception as well as a historical and distinguished restaurant that offers the best food, the best entertainment, and the best prices, probably in all of Chesapeake Bay. I'm not saying they are the cheapest. I'm saying you will get the best bang for your bucks. You won't leave disappointed.
Hurricane Patties
O'Briens Oyster Bar & Seafood Tavern
O'Briens Oyster Bar & Seafood Tavern
Hurricane Patties, St. Augustine, FL is located at the docks of River's Edge Marina just 1.7 miles up the San Sebastian River - which is our favorite located St. Augustine marina. It's convenient to restaurants, and the closest you will get to West Marine as well as the must visit "Sailor's Exchange".
Hurricane Patties is a friendly lively
Hurricane Patties, St. Augustine, FL is located at the docks of River's Edge Marina just 1.7 miles up the San Sebastian River - which is our favorite located St. Augustine marina. It's convenient to restaurants, and the closest you will get to West Marine as well as the must visit "Sailor's Exchange".
Hurricane Patties is a friendly lively spot with ice cold beer & mixed drinks, and great local seafood. It's a laid-back boating attire kind of place with great food, fun atmosphere.
Nervous Nellies
O'Briens Oyster Bar & Seafood Tavern
Nervous Nellies
Nervous Nellies in Fort Meyers Beach - While Fort Meyers Beach is a favorite stop offering lots of tourist shops & eye candy, Its main attraction is the great pier, beach and boardwalk, as well as a multitude of restaurants that will certainly appeal to your Tropical Island time pleasures.
Nervous Nellies & the Yucatan are our favorites. W
Nervous Nellies in Fort Meyers Beach - While Fort Meyers Beach is a favorite stop offering lots of tourist shops & eye candy, Its main attraction is the great pier, beach and boardwalk, as well as a multitude of restaurants that will certainly appeal to your Tropical Island time pleasures.
Nervous Nellies & the Yucatan are our favorites. We like the food & service at Nervous Nellies best, but the Yucatan is a lively fun place with live music nightly.
The Timbers Restaurant
The Timbers Restaurant
The Timbers Restaurant
The Timbers Restaurant is one of our two favorite restaurants on Sanibel Island. We also enjoy the 'Island Cow' especially for breakfast. It has also been voted a “Top 5 for Breakfast" in all of Florida,”
While both are great for their own reasons, we have to go with the Timbers simply because of the seafood.
You can eat inside, outside o
The Timbers Restaurant is one of our two favorite restaurants on Sanibel Island. We also enjoy the 'Island Cow' especially for breakfast. It has also been voted a “Top 5 for Breakfast" in all of Florida,”
While both are great for their own reasons, we have to go with the Timbers simply because of the seafood.
You can eat inside, outside or take your food to go with ease. From the ever famous big bang shrimp to a seafood platter that features shrimp scampi, scallops and grouper, there are tons of options including their steak and delicious red snapper!
Cabbage Key
The Timbers Restaurant
The Timbers Restaurant
Cabbage Key is located on your Florida's Gulf ICW between Charlotte Harbor and Sanibel Island. This is the place mad famous via Jimmy Buffets' song "Cheeseburger in Paradise", and it truly is exactly that. Since it is only 11-miles from Sanibel Island which offers one of our other favorite stops and restaurant, we plan our day to have a C
Cabbage Key is located on your Florida's Gulf ICW between Charlotte Harbor and Sanibel Island. This is the place mad famous via Jimmy Buffets' song "Cheeseburger in Paradise", and it truly is exactly that. Since it is only 11-miles from Sanibel Island which offers one of our other favorite stops and restaurant, we plan our day to have a Cheeseburger in paradise for lunch and settle in for dinner at 'The Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market' on Sanibel Island.
Both of these restaurants are simply too incredible and tempting to pass up.
Henry's Fish
The Timbers Restaurant
Henry's Fish
Henry's Fish, Frying Pan Island, Georgian Bay - It's amazing - Here is an extremely popular busy restaurant on an Island - in the middle of nowhere - only accessible by boat or seaplane. . . It defies all Marketing & Restaurant rules for success, and it's been more profitable and successful than any non-chain Mom & Pop Restaurant we know
Henry's Fish, Frying Pan Island, Georgian Bay - It's amazing - Here is an extremely popular busy restaurant on an Island - in the middle of nowhere - only accessible by boat or seaplane. . . It defies all Marketing & Restaurant rules for success, and it's been more profitable and successful than any non-chain Mom & Pop Restaurant we know of in the us or Canada.
Why? It has to be location, location, location, and the fabulous fish. It's fresh caught Walleye cooked anyway you want it. We never pass it up!
Lulu's
BUDGET PLENTY OF "FUN" MONEY
Margaritaville
Lulu's - yes, Lulu is Jimmy Buffet's sister - and she has three restaurants, all located on your route around America's Great Loop There is one on at Mile 155 EHL on the Gulf ICW just below Mobile Bay in Gulf Shores, AL. This location also has a very nice overnight Marina, which we highly recommend for a great relaxed evening, fantastic f
Lulu's - yes, Lulu is Jimmy Buffet's sister - and she has three restaurants, all located on your route around America's Great Loop There is one on at Mile 155 EHL on the Gulf ICW just below Mobile Bay in Gulf Shores, AL. This location also has a very nice overnight Marina, which we highly recommend for a great relaxed evening, fantastic food and fun overall experience being your first stop. This should be your first stop when leaving Mobile Bay. Lulu's in Destin, FL is not located at the very popular Destin Harbor Boardwalk where you will find Margaritaville and a ton of other great restaurants as well as an awful lot of touristy shops and things to do. The Destin location of Lulu's is on Choctawhatchee Bay just past the southern end of the Mid Bay Bridge at Gulf ICW Mile 232.5 EHL.
And the other is located at Barefoot Landing at Mile 354'4 in Myrtle Beach on the Atlantic ICW. All of them offer great food, a fun atmosphere, and everything is scratch made on site and never frozen, perfectly cooked and served in heaping helpings. We never can pass up any of.
For sure, some of 'our' favorites may not be to your liking, but most of our favorite places to stop and eat are on the vast majority of 'Looper favorite' lists as well, and for sure you will find some of your own.
Possibly the best suggest we can make is to keep in mind the vast majority of destinations on the Great Loop are places you will never be so close to again. Fifty of which are listed on Conde' Nast 'top place in North America to visit'. Places such as Washington DC in the north and Shiloh in the south are but a detour off the main route.
Margaritaville
BUDGET PLENTY OF "FUN" MONEY
Margaritaville
You might think too much of a good thing is, well, too much. But when it comes to great food served in a great atmosphere, you just can't get enough of Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. Starting in Florida, you will find one in Key West, Miami, Myrtle Beach, Atlantic City, and in Chicago - All of which are on the water at or near Dockside. I
You might think too much of a good thing is, well, too much. But when it comes to great food served in a great atmosphere, you just can't get enough of Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. Starting in Florida, you will find one in Key West, Miami, Myrtle Beach, Atlantic City, and in Chicago - All of which are on the water at or near Dockside. If taking the recommended side trip to Knoxville to visit Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains, you will find one in Pigeon Forge.
Once you stop at Lulu's in Gulf Shores, AL, your will find another one of her brother Jimmy's restaurants at the Destin Harbor Walk, Destin, FL which is a highly recommended stop on the Gulf ICW.
If you've never been to Lulu's or Margaritaville, we suggest at least a visit. Our most fervent suggestion however is making sure you visit all the best 'one-of- a- kind' local favorites. "The Loopers' Companion Guide" names all our favorites at all the 140 'overnight cruising' destinations on the most popular routes. Places like the Fillin Station, T.W. Graham Co., The City Kitchen, R.E. Mayo, Hilda Crockett's Chesapeake House, The Lobster House in Cape May and many more or recommended as "Local & Looper favorite places to eat. Some of our recommendations are absolute dives, a few are fine dining, but most are under $30 for a great meal and a mixed drink. Most 1st time Loopers discover they initially packed their boat with far too many provisions, and mostly much of the wrong kind. You're NOT crossing oceans here, and each day will present you with tempting place to stop and explore.
BUDGET PLENTY OF "FUN" MONEY
BUDGET PLENTY OF "FUN" MONEY
BUDGET PLENTY OF "FUN" MONEY
Our #1 TOP OF THE LIST expense when cruising the Great Loop is eating out and having fun ashore. Personally, we never eat 'fast food' and we prefer to experience all the best 'Regional Favorite Foods & Resturants' in each geographical area we are cruising. We simply can't pass up the delicious distinctiveness and experience of enjoying t
Our #1 TOP OF THE LIST expense when cruising the Great Loop is eating out and having fun ashore. Personally, we never eat 'fast food' and we prefer to experience all the best 'Regional Favorite Foods & Resturants' in each geographical area we are cruising. We simply can't pass up the delicious distinctiveness and experience of enjoying the culinary delights of local food favorites.
Obviously, being on the water you will find the very best locally obtained fresh seafood in restaurants ranging from fine dining to seafood shacks and even street vendors. However, be it steaks, burgers or seafood, when cruising the Great Loop, you simply can't beat the hometown favorites. From Oysters in the Gulf, Mahi Mahi around Florida, Shrimp & Crabs up the entire Atlantic, and 'Low Country Boils' in the Carolinas. In Chesapeake Bay its crabs & crab cakes. As you approach New York, you will find Cold Water Lobsters & Lobster Rolls, New England Clam Chowder, and in NYC it is Italian, Chinese, Pizza, Cheesecake, Bagels with Lox, Pastrami, Beef on Weck and even Ice Cream Shops.
In Canada it's Butter tarts, Beaver Tails, Poutine, and of course, Walleye, and around the Great Lakes it is Trout & Salmon. As you head down the inland rivers, it will be Biscuits & Gravy, Grits, Fried Chicken, Fried Catfish, Fried Steaks, Fried Green Tomatoes and anything else you can add breading to and fry, along with Slow Hickory Smoked BBQ Brisket and Ribs.
So, whether you take the 'all USA route' or 'cruise Canada', you'll find 300 or more enchanting waterfront destinations guaranteed to tempt you off your boat to stop, shop, stay & linger.
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A word from Capt. John
The Looper's Companion Guide is actually 3 books in 1. It includes everything you want & need for advance planning, preparing, provisioning, equipping and budgeting for this voyage. It also includes a complete 140 cruising day itinerary for actually cruising the Loop, plus extra cruising days for all the most popular detours & side trips for both the USA & Canada. This includes full color pictures with what to expect along the way and when you arrive. You get each day's cruising distance, directions, fuel range, mile markers, waypoints, Marina phone numbers, anchorages and everything you need (and some you don't yet know you need) to make your Great Loop voyage safely, confidently, comfortably, and affordably while absolutely having the most fun.