Southern Boating: Navigating Florida to Virginia and the ICW

Southern boating is a popular pastime that draws cruisers from Florida to Virginia along the picturesque Intracoastal Waterway. Stretching for over 1,000 miles, this scenic route offers boaters a unique way to explore the diverse landscapes and vibrant cities of the Southern United States. From the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf Coast to the historic ports of Charleston and Savannah, there is no shortage of breathtaking views and exciting adventures to be had on this iconic waterway. Whether it's fishing, cruising, or simply enjoying the warm southern sun, boaters of all kinds can find something to love about navigating southern waters.

There are plenty of brand new guides for 2024 which cover the southeast U.S. and several established and trusted navigation aids as well. We recommend taking at least one cruising guide, chartbooks which cover your planned area of travel, and updated digital charts for your plotter. You also don't want to get caught on the water with a completed logbook, so stock up before setting out.

GUIDES

1. Maptech Embassy Guide: Chesapeake Bay To Florida & the ICW 9th Edition
The Maptech Embassy Cruising Guide to the New England Coast covers Cape May and Delaware Bay through the Chesapeake and Intracoastal Waterway and offshore to Fernandina Beach in northern Florida. Packed with detailed listings for marinas, local navigation advice, aerial photos, and an Intracoastal Waterway Bridge Table.

2. Waterway Guide Mid-Atlantic 2024
Updated annually, the Waterway Guide Mid-Atlantic 2024 edition (previously titled Atlantic ICW) is the indispensable cruising companion for boaters exploring the Intracoastal Waterway from Norfolk, VA to the Florida border.

3. Waterway Guide Southern 2024
Updated annually, the Waterway Guide Southern 2024 edition is the indispensable cruising companion for boaters exploring Florida's East coast, the St. John's River, the Okeechobee Waterway, the Keys, Florida's West coast and the Gulf of Mexico to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

4.Maptech Embassy Guide: Florida to Mobile Bay 9th Edition
Complete coverage of Florida’s East Coast, Gulf Coast to Mobile, AL, the Florida Keys, the Okeechobee Waterway, and a planning guide and facility listing for the Bahamas. Features detailed navigation advice, aerial photos, destination and dining tips, comprehensive bridge tables, GPS waypoints, and detailed listings for 1,300 marine facilities.

5.Intracoastal Waterway Chartbook Norfolk To Miami
The Intracoastal Waterway Chartbook guide is a complete set of navigation charts for the 1,090-mile Intracoastal Waterway from Norfolk to Miami, as well as charts for all major Atlantic inlets. The chartbook also includes a complete listing of waterway bridge and lock characteristics; anchorage listings; mileage charts; charts for a picturesque alternate route; and—new to this edition—marina listings—all in a compact, easy-to-use format.

6.ICW Norfolk To Miami Complete Cruising Guide
Since 1979, this book has been the piloting guide of choice for the tens of thousands of boaters traversing the 1,094-mile Intracoastal Waterway between Virginia and Florida each year. This sixth edition is double the size of its predecessor and includes greatly enhanced coverage of anchorages, pilotage, and facilities. With the addition of John Kettlewell, editor of The Intracoastal Waterway Chartbook, to the author team, the Moellers’ long-established mile-by-mile navigation guide is better than ever.

7.Waterway Guide Florida Keys
The new Waterway Guide Florida Keys 3rd Edition is the indispensable cruising companion for boaters exploring South Florida from Fort Lauderdale to the Dry Tortugas. The 3rd edition features a brand new layout celebrating Waterway Guide's 75th year, plus the return of the popular spiral binding.

8.Waterway Guide Gulf Coast 2024
The Waterway Guide Western Gulf Coast 2nd edition is the indispensable cruising companion for boaters exploring the Western Gulf Coast from Lake Pontchartrain and New Orleans to South Padre Island on the Texas/Mexico border.

9.Seaworthy Georgia Coast Waterways & Islands
The Georgia Coast, Waterways and Islands is a new kind of boater’s guide to the intricate, unspoiled and exciting coast of Georgia. The guide describes the flora and fauna of varied rich ecosystems as you travel through the natural and human history of over 1,500 miles of waterways. 134 minutely-detailed chartlets, unrivaled by any other guide, show the latest depths allowing boaters more flexibility to enjoy the Georgia coast. Navigator-friendly, north oriented chartlets picking up where NOAA left off will empower you to customize your itinerary.