Find the right charts, updates, manuals and guides for coastal cruising.
Check these links to find latest navigation materials before you head out into the Santa Barbara Channel or exploring the coast near Ventura, Oxnard, Santa Barbara or points south.
Ocean Survey
Chart currency
Do you have the right scale? Is your chart up-to-date? Find out here. (Channel Islands and vicinity start at 18700.) List updated daily.
View Current Charts
Up-to-the-minute charts with all notices incorporated. Excellent for planning. Scope out small areas such as anchorages and harbors and restricted waters. Click on 'Chart Viewer'
Pacific Coast Chart Viewer
Up-to-the-minute charts with all notices incorporated. List runs N to S. Channel Islands and our neighborhood start at 18700.
Chart Updates
Get all the updates - even ones that haven't been printed on a chart yet. You'll have to go through three links, accepting a disclaimer, but this is the route to the most up-to-date chart info.
Order U.S. Charts
Get print on demand charts updated to latest Local Notice to Mariners or buy latest NOAA edition. Print on demand are about $25, NOAA about $20.
Order Central and South America charts
This is a bit out of our Channel, but after awhile, you might want to venture farther afield.
Order Mediterranean charts
Coast Pilot
The government's cruising guide. Essential information when traveling away from homeport. Includes restricted areas, descriptions of hazards and up-to-date descriptions of landmarks.
Notice to Mariners
Monthly compilation of hazards, changes to navaids, most recent chart updates and updates to light list
Local Notice to Mariners
Updated weekly, lists of hazards, changes to navaids, most recent chart updates and updates to light list
Light List and Corrections
If it winks or blinks, or has stopped winking or blinking, the info is here, complete lists and updates.
Channel Islands Harbors
Best info from the agency that maintains the channels - the Corps of Engineers. Excellent aerial photos to plan your harbor approach.
Rules of the Road
Easy index to stand-on/giveway as well as boat lighting and day shapes.
Chart #1
This doesn't look like a chart, more like a book, but it has all of the chart symbols in it
Float Plan
If you're not sailing with Capt. Dan, fill one of these out and leave it with someone who cares if you come back from your cruise.
Background and Research Material
NOAA'S Ocean Service
NOAA's National Ocean Service is composed of ten program and staff offices. Summary information and direct access to their official Web sites is provided.
Navigator of the Navy
This link explains why a lat/long on a chart is not necessarily the same point on a chart plotter. Not a trivial issue.
National Geo-spatial Intelligence Agency Maritime Safety
Worth a quick glance. Links to other arcane navigation sites available.
Office of Coast Survey
Among other things, they maintain the database from which all U.S. nautical charts and most nav pubs (e.g.Coast Pilot) are derived. Also have complete database of wrecks in coastal waters.
American Practical Navigator aka Bowditch
The US Navy's navigation bible for more than 200 years, updated, of course.
On and Around the Channel Islands
Boating at the Channel Islands
Extremely important planning information, particularly for boaters planning to go ashore. Note that the Park Service does not control the entire chain. The Nature Conservancy has a large interest on Santa Cruz and requires permits to go ashore. Find out more about individual islands, hazards, restrictions, NPS and Nature Conservancy procedures for visiting and sights to see. Call 805.898.1642. for Nature Conservancy permits.
California Tides
NOAA data
California Boating Law
Da Rules
