Clay and Marybeth Kelley have traveled the Florida waterways and the Bahamas for many years. During these travels, they have met people new to cruising and others who have been cruising for years. One topic they all have in common is the confused and varied information about traveling through Florida and the Bahamas. This is not a cruising guide, but rather a guide for cruisers that explains, literally, hundreds of items every cruiser must know to cruise these waters without incident along the way. It is written in an easy-to-understand style that addresses the varied situations cruisers will find during their travels in these waters and includes chapters on the history of the Intracoastal Waterway, Florida's boating laws, safety equipment requirements, law enforcement, weather, cruising the Florida Keys, arriving in the Islands, and what to expect when returning to Florida. It also contains valuable reference information in two appendices on U.S. Coast Guard and Florida Marine Patrol contact information, and recommended cruising guides.