Trip Planning & Itineraries
BoatRoutes lets you plan multi-stop cruising trips with individual legs, each with distance and timing information. Whether you are planning a weekend getaway or a two-week cruise, the trip planner helps you organize your stops and understand the logistics.
What You See
Section titled “What You See”Trip pages show a complete itinerary with:
- Ordered list of stops — each with its location name, type, and key amenities
- Leg details — distance and estimated travel time between consecutive stops
- Total trip summary — overall distance, number of stops, and estimated cruising days
- Maps — the complete trip route shown on a single map
Pre-Built Itineraries
Section titled “Pre-Built Itineraries”BoatRoutes includes a set of curated trip itineraries. Each one is a ready-made route through a cruising ground, broken into legs you can follow in order.
Every itinerary page shows:
- A short description — where the trip goes and who it suits, from a quick first overnight to a multi-week cruise
- The cruising ground it belongs to, such as the San Juan Islands or Desolation Sound
- An ordered list of legs — each leg names the stop, with notes about the anchorage, marina, or passage
- A total — overall distance in nautical miles and an estimated number of cruising days
The trips range from short weekend loops to long circuits. Pick one that matches the area you want and the time you have.
Planning Your Own Trip
Section titled “Planning Your Own Trip”While pre-built itineraries are a great starting point, you can also plan your own trip by:
- Starting at a location page for your departure point
- Browsing available routes to choose your first stop
- Visiting that location’s page and repeating the process for subsequent legs
- Noting distances and times for each leg to build your schedule
Trip Timing Considerations
Section titled “Trip Timing Considerations”When planning a multi-day trip, keep these factors in mind:
Daily range: Most cruising boats cover 25-50 nautical miles per day, depending on speed and conditions. For a relaxed pace, plan for 4-6 hours of cruising per day.
Tidal current planning: On longer trips, each leg may need its own departure time optimization. Currents that are favorable in the morning may be opposing in the afternoon. If a leg passes through a narrow channel, plan to reach it near slack water. See Slack Water & Passage Timing.
Weather windows: In the Pacific Northwest, weather can change quickly. Build flexibility into your schedule for weather days.
Marina reservations: During peak season, popular marinas fill up. Book ahead for weekend stops at places like Friday Harbor, Roche Harbor, or Ganges.
- Start with a conservative schedule — it is better to arrive early and explore than to feel rushed.
- Build in at least one flexible day per week for weather delays or spontaneous exploring.
- Review the route detail page for each leg individually to check current conditions and timing.
- Consider provisioning stops — not every marina has fuel and groceries. Check amenities on the location detail page before committing to a stop.
- Some of the best Pacific Northwest cruising destinations are anchorages and marine parks without marina services. Make sure you are self-sufficient if your itinerary includes several consecutive anchor-outs.