SHC nautical chart Atlantic ocean

The nautical charts published by the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) are the official reference for navigation in Canadian waters. Renowned for their reliability and level of detail, they are used by recreational boaters, professional mariners, as well as by stakeholders in commercial shipping, fishing, and offshore activities. The purpose of this page is to present the specific characteristics of Canadian nautical charts, their main strengths, and also their limitations, in order to help you choose the charting best suited to your navigation needs.

The Canadian Hydrographic Service: a reference authority

Established in 1883, the Canadian Hydrographic Service is one of the oldest hydrographic services in the world. It now operates under the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and is responsible for surveying, analyzing, and disseminating hydrographic information essential to safe navigation.

The CHS is responsible for charting one of the largest maritime domains in the world: more than 240,000 kilometers of coastline, including the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Arctic Ocean, the St. Lawrence River, the Great Lakes, and numerous inland waterways. This geographical diversity requires very high standards of accuracy and regular updating.

Types of Canadian nautical charts

Official paper charts: long regarded as the reference medium, they remain highly valued for voyage planning, training purposes, and as a reliable onboard backup.

Each format serves specific needs, but all are based on the same official hydrographic databases.

Content and information available on Canadian nautical charts

CHS nautical charts stand out for the richness and precision of the information they contain, including:

• Bathymetry: depths shown in meters, detailed depth contours, and seabed relief representation
• Coastlines and shorelines: nature of the coastline, beaches, cliffs, rocky areas, and port infrastructure
• Aids to navigation: lighthouses, lights, buoys, lateral and cardinal marks, leading lines
• Navigational hazards: shoals, drying rocks, wrecks, shallow areas
• Regulated areas: buoyed channels, traffic separation schemes, military or protected zones
• Additional information: currents, tides, water level variations, and port information

These data are essential for safe navigation, particularly in complex areas such as archipelagos, estuaries, or regions subject to strong tidal ranges.

Advantages of Canadian Hydrographic Service charts

Official and reliable charting

The main advantage of Canadian nautical charts lies in their official status. They are produced from hydrographic surveys conducted or validated by the CHS, in accordance with strict international standards set by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO). This ensures a high level of reliability.

Regular updates

The CHS continuously updates its charts by incorporating Notices to Mariners, new bathymetric surveys, and changes to port infrastructure or aids to navigation. In electronic format, these updates can be integrated very quickly, significantly enhancing navigational safety.

Exceptional geographic coverage

Few countries have a maritime domain as vast and diverse as Canada’s. CHS charts cover both heavily trafficked coastal areas and remote, difficult-to-access regions, particularly in the Canadian Arctic. They are therefore essential for any navigation in Canadian waters.

High precision in complex areas

In areas known for strong currents, significant tidal ranges, or changing seabeds—such as the St. Lawrence River or the coast of British Columbia—Canadian nautical charts provide a level of detail essential for prudent navigation.

Disadvantages and limitations of Canadian nautical charts

Sometimes high cost

Official CHS nautical charts, especially paper editions, can represent a significant investment, particularly when covering a large cruising area. This cost reflects the complexity of hydrographic surveys and the official production process.

Occasionally limited detail for very local coastal cruising

In some highly frequented recreational boating areas, certain users may find that the scale or level of detail does not always meet very specific local needs, such as small anchorages or secondary coves. Supplementary local information may therefore be useful.

Gradual transition toward fully digital charting

Like many hydrographic services worldwide, the CHS is progressively shifting its production toward ENC electronic charts. Navigators who rely exclusively on paper charts may find it more difficult to obtain certain older or very specific editions.

Who are Canadian nautical charts for?

Canadian Hydrographic Service charts are intended for a wide audience, including:

• Recreational boaters engaged in coastal or offshore navigation in Canada
• Professional mariners (commercial shipping, fishing, towing)

• Navigation and maritime training schools
  Explorers and navigators operating in northern regions

They form an essential foundation for navigation under sail or power, whether for day trips or long-distance voyages.

Nautical charts from the Canadian Hydrographic Service are first-rate navigation tools, recognized for their accuracy, reliability, and compliance with international standards. Despite a sometimes higher cost and a shift toward digital formats that may challenge some users, they remain indispensable for safe navigation in Canadian waters.

Whether you are a recreational boater, a professional mariner, or a passionate navigator, choosing an official CHS nautical chart means choosing safety, precision, and peace of mind at sea.

Before choosing your nautical chart, it is interesting to know the particularities and differences between nautical charts.

All nautical charts are edited on request and include the latest updates; due to obsolescence, they can neither be returned, nor exchanged.