A continuous waterway that navigates around or through more than 20 states, the Great Circle Loop takes boaters on a trip connecting Gulf and Atlantic intracoastal waterways, mighty inland rivers, bays, and the Great Lakes. Those who travel the Loop can choose among routes that range from 5,000 to 7,000 miles and take several months to a year or more to complete.
Today, a number of books and websites are dedicated to the Great Circle Loop and feature advice and guidance from a growing community of “Loopers,” a term that refers to those who have completed the voyage. People have navigated the Loop with a variety of watercraft, including sailboats, Jet Skis, pontoons, and yachts, but the most common craft used is a boat between 26 feet and 36 feet long.