Capt. John's Gulf Crossing

The Gulf Crossing

Carrabelle, Florida is only a short 31 miles
southeast of Apalachicola and it is the last
stop on the Gulf side of the ICW.

The Big Bend is three to four travel days with the advantage being that you’re closer to land in case you want
an exit strategy from the Gulf due to weather. If you went the whole trip around the Big Bend you would stop first
at Steinhatchee then Cedar Key and finally Crystal River.

Apalachicola, Florida is a 61-mile run from Panama City Beach on Florida’s ICW. It is a beautiful cruise
through absolute wilderness most of the way. You will most likely see eagles in the air, and dolphin in the
water on this run through some pretty swampy looking territory. Apalachicola is also known for it's great, tasty,
and bountiful oysters. So you will want to make sure you have your fill (and then some) on this part of your
voyage.

From Carrabelle you have to either cross southeast out into the Gulf of Mexico to Tarpon Springs or cruise
around the “Big Bend” of Florida's Panhandle. We've done it both ways and both ways have their pros & cons.
If you head straight across the Gulf, the voyage is a 160 mile trip; at 10 mph, It takes 16 hours to cross, so in order
to arrive in daylight you will need to leave Carrabelle around midnight.
If you choose to "hopscotch" your way around - the trip will take you 4 to 5 days.

If you love a good treasure hunt then you
definitely need to try scalloping when you reach
Steinhatchee. You can harvest scallops by
hand or with a landing or dip net, you will need
to grab your mask and snorkel, and anchor out
in areas where the water is between 4 and 8
feet deep, near the grass beds. This is where
you will find scallops by the thousands. Scallop
season is July 1 through Sept 10.

In Cedar Key,
this shack is
humorously referred
to as the
Honeymoon Suite.
But it may have the
last laugh...
it did after all,
survive Hurricane
Wilma

However
you like 'em
we guarantee you'll
love 'em when you
get 'em fresh in
Apalachicola, Fl

From the Gulf to the Hudson River you will see
dolphins, dolphins, and more dolphins. At times it
will appear as if they are escorting you to your next
Port of Call. Often, they will come up close enough
to your boat you can reach out and touch one.

And all my friends think she is so sexy... LOL

Seriously... The 160 mile stretch across the Gulf of Mexico is a nice run and easy to do. With updated charts,
GPS, the right kind of boat, and some good weather - you'll be in great shape. It is easy to find other
"Loopers" that are making the trip and you can all do it all together if you wish (and most do). The stretch
from Carrabelle to Tarpon Springs is the shortest, quickest, and easiest route to take. Remember to plan
your departure from Carrabelle, so that you make landfall in Tarpon Springs in daylight. This means you need
to depart by midnight.
Hop-scotching around Florida's Big Bend will keep you closer to shore and shelter, but will also keep you on
the look-out. We have taken both routes and truthfully - other than wind and weather conditions - both routes
can be very enjoyable or very miserable; but your choice of route should depend on your vessel and your
mood too well, the coastal route will be best. Although this route will take you 3 or probably 4 days - but there
is some great scenery and places to visit along the way.
We don't suggest you buy any ICW, River, or Navigational Maps (or Guide Books) until you are very close to
departing on your Great Loop voyage - as you will need the most updated maps and resources you can get.

If you choose to "hopscotch" around Florida's Big Bend. . . (And that

is what I do) . . . You

will be stopping here at Steinhatchee. This is

where the locals will gladly show you where

and how to gather a few

fresh scallops for dinner. With some real butter, a little garlic

and

some pasta... WOW!

"Twiga" across the Gulf of Mexico. With

today's

technology and weather forecasts,

you can easily

and safely make this trip.

but it is only 58 miles to Keaton Beach

Marina, and

only 70 miles to Steinhatchee.

For powerboats especially, we recommend

the

Carrabelle to Keaton Beach, then

Steinhatchee

and Crystal River route. In fact,

sail or power, we

love and suggest you visit

Steinhatchee & Crystal

River.

Truly... Crossing the Gulf is a piece of cake. In the right boat, that is.
Furthermore, you do have options... two really good ones, and one not so good. The not so good option is to have
your vessel hauled over land, but that may cost you more then the entire cost of your cruise around the loop. The
other two options however are really great ones. 1.) you can head straight across the Gulf from

There is great
scenery, and
wonderful places to
visit along the "big
bend" of Florida's
Gulf Coast.

WOW! You've made it this far, and now suddenly you have butterflies in your stomach over
crossing a little 160 mile stretch of the Gulf of Mexico. Instead, you should be feeling very good
over your accomplishments; and quite honestly, you are not the first, or the only, and you won't
be the last, to have the nervous nellies over crossing the Gulf.

Meclizine - the chewable kind... is my drug of choice for
seasickness. Doesn't do any good to swallow pills when your
tossing your cookies.

Yes, if it wasn't for this little stretch across the open Gulf, (and the Great Lakes) our "Looper Boats" would not
comfort. But the fact is, cruising the Loop in it's entirety requires a safe, solid, seaworthy vessel.
Crossing the Gulf is an exciting part of this journey. Truth be known, (in the right boat) it is probably no more
dangerous then crossing a busy street. It is a fun, and interesting part of the journey with much to see and
experience.

Capt John's America's Great Loop

Crossing the Gulf of Mexico