Direct, Protected & Scenic Routes
For most pairs of locations, BoatRoutes generates one or more route variants. Each variant prioritizes different factors, giving you options that match your comfort level, weather conditions, and cruising style.
How Variants Are Named
Section titled “How Variants Are Named”Many pairs use the three names below: Direct, Protected, and Scenic. But the names are not fixed. When two variants go different ways around an island or through different channels, BoatRoutes may name them after the passage they use (for example, “via Cattle Pass”). When it cannot give a clear name, it falls back to plain labels like “Alternate 1” and “Alternate 2”. Read the name as a hint, then check the map and the distance to see what each variant actually does.
Direct Route
Section titled “Direct Route”The Direct route is the shortest navigable path between two locations. It minimizes distance and travel time by taking the most straightforward course through open water.
Best for:
- Calm weather with light winds and small seas
- Experienced boaters comfortable in open water
- When you want to minimize travel time
Trade-offs:
- May cross open water with greater fetch and wave exposure
- Less protection from wind and swell
- Could involve longer stretches away from shore
Protected Route
Section titled “Protected Route”The Protected route favors calmer waters by staying closer to land, using lee shores, and routing through more sheltered passages. It may add distance but reduces your exposure to wind and waves.
Best for:
- Days with stronger winds or building seas
- Smaller boats that are more affected by waves
- Passengers who are less comfortable in rough conditions
- Overnight or low-visibility passages where staying near shore is prudent
Trade-offs:
- Typically longer than the Direct route
- May add 15-30 minutes or more to your travel time
- Could route through narrower passages with stronger tidal currents
Scenic Route
Section titled “Scenic Route”The Scenic route prioritizes interesting coastline and scenic waypoints. It may meander past notable landmarks, beautiful shorelines, or interesting geological features.
Best for:
- Leisurely cruises when time is not a constraint
- Photography or sightseeing trips
- Exploring new areas and discovering interesting coastline
- Fair weather days when you want to enjoy the journey
Trade-offs:
- Usually the longest of the three variants
- May add significant time to the passage
- Not optimized for efficiency
Comparing Variants
Section titled “Comparing Variants”On the route detail page, use the variant tabs at the top to switch between Direct, Protected, and Scenic routes. The map updates to show the selected route, and the distance and time estimates change accordingly.
Key differences to look for:
| Factor | Direct | Protected | Scenic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance | Shortest | Moderate | Longest |
| Open water exposure | Most | Least | Varies |
| Travel time | Fastest | Moderate | Slowest |
| Current encounters | Varies | May be stronger in channels | Varies |
- Not every location pair has all three variants. Some routes only have a Direct option if the geography does not offer meaningful alternatives.
- In summer, when Pacific Northwest winds often build in the afternoon, consider using the Protected route for afternoon departures.
- Compare the current impact between variants — the Protected route through a narrow channel might face stronger currents than the Direct route through open water.
- On the route explorer table, expand a route row to see all available variants side by side.