The Great Loop Route

Luxury trawler yacht cruising through a calm Great Loop waterway at sunset with lighthouse, marina channel, and city skyline in the background.

Cruise America’s legendary inland passage through the Great Lakes, inland rivers, the Intracoastal Waterway, and historic coastal harbor towns.

The Great Loop connects some of the most iconic freshwater and coastal cruising destinations in North America.

Route Overview

The Great Loop is one of the most ambitious cruising routes in North America. Loopers travel through the Great Lakes, the Illinois and Mississippi river systems, the Gulf Coast, Florida, and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway before returning north.

The route blends freshwater cruising, historic harbor towns, inland waterways, offshore passages, and some of the most diverse boating destinations in the United States and Canada.

Featured Harbors Along the Great Loop

Discover iconic freshwater harbors, inland waterways, historic river towns, and coastal cruising destinations connected by America’s legendary Great Loop route.

Chicago Harbor
Major Great Lakes departure point and one of the most iconic urban harbors on the Loop.
Mackinac Island Harbor
Historic island destination known for protected anchorages and classic Great Lakes cruising.
Toronto Harbor
World-class Lake Ontario harbor blending skyline sailing with freshwater cruising culture.
Norfolk Harbor
Critical Intracoastal Waterway junction connecting Loop cruisers to the Atlantic coast.
Charleston Harbor
Historic southern harbor offering marinas, provisioning, and classic coastal cruising charm.
Key West Harbor
Legendary tropical stop connecting Gulf and Atlantic cruising routes.
Mobile Harbor
Important Gulf Coast harbor and staging point for inland river transitions.
Duluth Harbor
Northern Great Lakes harbor surrounded by rugged freshwater cruising scenery.