The Florida Loop
A Perfect Warm-Up for the Great Loop
By Kim Russo, Executive Director of America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association
Dreaming of cruising the Great Loop but not quite ready for the full adventure? Want to test your boating skills on a smaller scale? The Florida Loop is an excellent way to dip your toes into long-distance cruising.
The Florida Loop circles the southernmost part of the Florida peninsula. It includes a taste of many things you’ll encounter on the Great Loop, such as locks, tides, currents, anchoring in remote areas, and visits to charming towns and bustling cities.
You can cruise the Florida Loop year-round, but summer has considerations—lower water levels in Lake Okeechobee and the risk of hurricanes. The route is approximately 500 miles and is generally done in about 7 to 10 travel days -- plus however many days you plan to stay at anchor to enjoy the surroundings or remain tied up at a dock to explore on land.
Below is a sample itinerary based on our trip aboard The Perch, a Silverton 410. Use it as inspiration and customize it to suit your pace and preferences.
(Note: If you plan to cruise through the Everglades National Park along the Gulf Shore of Florida or the Keys, you must complete a specific Boater Education Course and obtain a completion certificate.)
View of a marina in the Florida Keys.
Ocean approach to Miami.
A still night on the Okeechobee.
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Approximate Statute miles: 70
You’ll likely have a lot of company on this leg of your adventure as the waterways near Southwest Florida’s popular beaches, where the Caloosahatchee River meets the Gulf, are very busy. If you have time for an extended trip, you can make this a multi-day leg by exploring popular towns like Naples and Marco Island. For us, an anchorage in the Everglades was our destination.
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Approximate Statute Miles: 90
This is a good time to practice using your weather apps before taking on the Great Loop because you’ll need to identify a good weather window with calm seas before heading for the Keys. While weather is always a consideration when boating, this leg is less protected than many others on the route, so weather is even more critical.
Once you arrive in the Keys, spend as long as you’d like island hopping and exploring. Looper favorites are Key West and Marathon, but there is much to see and do in this tropical paradise.
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Approximate Statute Miles: 95
We didn’t have the time to explore the upper Keys, so we started this leg from Marathon, making for a long day. There are two routes leaving Marathon: the more protected “inside” route that runs north of the Keys and has shallower depths and the “outside” route south of the Keys that has better depths but is less protected. The Perch draws 3.5’, and we had no problem navigating the inside route to reach our anchorage in the lower part of Biscayne Bay.
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Approximate Statute Miles: 45
We cruised through Miami, enjoying the views of the city, and took a short side trip up the New River to the heart of Fort Lauderdale. The city offers reasonably priced dockage along the Riverwalk. It’s a fabulous place to dock, utilize the marina laundry room if needed, and explore the shopping, dining, and nightlight of Fort Lauderdale.
Caution: If you do venture up the New River, plan carefully. There are draw bridges that, when closed, only offer about 16’ of clearance. These bridges open on request, except on weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. when they will not open for vessels.
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Approximate Statute Miles: 85
As you wind down the New River to the Intracoastal, you’ll notice the opulence of the waterfront properties. Prepare for many no-wake zones and check cruising guides to time your arrival at draw bridges, as many in this area open on a schedule rather than on request.
There are plenty of things to see and do in this area, known as the “Gold Coast,” so consider breaking this leg into two or three days. Stuart has many marinas, moorings, and anchorages.
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Approximate Statute Miles: 60
Stuart is known as the “crossroads” because it’s where the Okeechobee Waterway and Intracoastal Waterway meet. It’s also a popular staging ground for making the jump to the Bahamas.
As you head west, you’ll encounter two locks before you reach Lake Okeechobee. If you’ve never been through a lock, this will be great practice for the Great Loop. Check your cruising guides for operating times and any restrictions during your trip.
There are two routes through Lake Okeechobee: the “crossing” (aka Route 1) and the “rim route” (aka Route 2). Check the Lake depths before selecting a route and starting this leg!
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Approximate Statute Miles: 70
This final leg will take you through three additional locks, and by the time you reach Fort Myers, you should feel like a pro! Fort Myers is a boaters’ favorite, but much of the dockage there was destroyed by Hurricane Ian in 2022. The remaining sunken debris can make anchoring risky.
If you find dockage downtown, you’ll be treated to many shops, restaurants, and the historic Edison-Ford Estate. If not, your best options are near Cape Coral or Fort Myers Beach.
The Florida Loop is a rewarding and manageable cruise that gives you a taste of the Great Loop experience. With diverse scenery, varied boating conditions, and plenty of practice opportunities, it’s the perfect “test cruise” — or even a fulfilling stand-alone adventure.
Happy cruising!