Caribbean Sea Nautical Charts: Marine Charts for Sailing in the Caribbean and Central America

Introduction

The Caribbean Sea is one of the major sailing regions of the Atlantic Ocean. Bordered by the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles, Central America and the northern coast of South America, it offers an exceptional variety of maritime routes. From the Virgin Islands to Martinique, from Cuba to Jamaica, and from the Grenadines to Panama, there are countless cruising opportunities.

However, navigating the Caribbean requires suitable nautical charts. Coral reefs, shoals, narrow passages, currents and tropical weather conditions make careful passage planning essential.

A Caribbean Sea nautical chart helps sailors plan crossings, select stopovers and study harbour and anchorage approaches. Paper and digital charts cover both major shipping routes and coastal passages between the islands.

Main areas covered by Caribbean Sea nautical charts

The Lesser Antilles: from Saint Martin to Grenada

The Lesser Antilles are one of the Caribbean's principal cruising regions. This island arc separates the Atlantic Ocean from the Caribbean Sea and includes Saint Martin, Saint Barthélemy, Antigua, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Nautical charts of this region help sailors plan passages between Marigot, Gustavia, Pointe-à-Pitre, Deshaies, Fort-de-France, Le Marin, Rodney Bay and Bequia.

Passages between the islands can be exposed to significant Atlantic swell. Anchorages on the leeward coasts generally offer better protection, although particular attention must be paid to reefs and coral seabeds.

The Greater Antilles: Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica and Puerto Rico

The Greater Antilles occupy the northern part of the Caribbean Sea. They include Cuba, Hispaniola, which is divided between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Puerto Rico.

The main ports and stopovers include Havana, Santiago de Cuba, Kingston, Montego Bay, Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, San Juan and Ponce.

A nautical chart of the Greater Antilles helps sailors plan longer passages between the islands, identify routes between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, and study the approaches to major commercial ports.

The Windward Passage, between Cuba and Hispaniola, and the Mona Passage, between Hispaniola and Puerto Rico, require careful planning because of currents, swell and maritime traffic.

The Virgin Islands and the Eastern Caribbean

The British and US Virgin Islands are major destinations for recreational sailing.

Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, Saint Thomas and Saint John offer numerous harbours, bays and anchorages. Road Town, on Tortola, and Charlotte Amalie, on Saint Thomas, are two important ports of call.

Detailed nautical charts help sailors plan passages between the islands, identify reefs and select routes suitable for their vessel's draught.

The Southern Caribbean: Trinidad, Tobago and the ABC Islands

To the south, nautical charts cover Trinidad, Tobago and Grenada, as well as Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, situated off the Venezuelan coast.

The ports of Chaguaramas, Port of Spain, Scarborough, Willemstad and Oranjestad are starting points for various regional cruises.

Charts of this area are particularly useful for sailors planning to reach the coast of South America or continue towards Colombia and Panama.

The Western Caribbean and the Panama Canal

The western Caribbean Sea includes the coastlines of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.

The main sailing areas include Cancún, Cozumel, Belize City, the Bay Islands of Honduras, Bocas del Toro and Colón.

The Belize coastline is bordered by an extensive barrier reef system. Large-scale nautical charts are essential when planning passages between reefs, islands and lagoons.

In Panama, the approaches to Colón and Cristóbal provide access to the Atlantic entrance of the Panama Canal, which connects the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean.

What information does a Caribbean nautical chart contain?

A Caribbean nautical chart displays the hydrographic information essential for navigation:

• Water depths, soundings and bathymetric contours.

• Coral reefs, shoals, rocks and wrecks.

• Lighthouses, buoys and other aids to navigation.

• Channels, reef passages, harbours and anchorage areas.

• Regulated areas, submarine cables and maritime installations.

• Tidal and current information where included on the chart.

Some areas have been surveyed using older or incomplete hydrographic data. Particular caution is required, especially in remote anchorages and reef passages.

Nautical charts should be supplemented by sailing directions, weather forecasts and recent local navigational information.

Particular characteristics of navigation in the Caribbean Sea

Trade winds and inter-island passages

The easterly to north-easterly trade winds strongly influence navigation in the Caribbean. They favour certain westbound passages but can make eastbound routes more demanding.

The channels between islands are sometimes exposed to rough seas and local wind acceleration.

Coral reefs and shallow waters

Coral reefs are among the main hazards of coastal navigation. Approaches to certain bays and passages between small islands require accurate, detailed nautical charts.

Whenever possible, reef passages should be negotiated in good visibility and with lighting conditions that make it easier to distinguish changes in water colour.

Hurricane season

The official North Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November.

Cruise planning must take this period into account, together with weather forecasts and available shelter. A nautical chart is never a substitute for weather bulletins and maritime safety information.

Main publishers of Caribbean Sea nautical charts

SHOM: the French West Indies and the Caribbean Sea

The French Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (SHOM) publishes official nautical charts covering Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, Saint Barthélemy and the surrounding waters.

Its chart portfolio includes general charts of the Caribbean Sea, coastal charts and detailed plans of the main French ports.

Admiralty: international chart coverage

Admiralty charts, published by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO), cover major shipping routes, passages between islands and numerous Caribbean ports.

They are widely used for professional navigation and international passage planning.

Imray: nautical charts designed for recreational sailing

Imray offers extensive chart coverage of the Eastern Caribbean, from the Virgin Islands to the Grenadines, as well as several areas of the Southern Caribbean.

Its portfolio includes general passage-planning charts, coastal charts, harbour plans and anchorage plans. These charts are particularly well suited to inter-island cruising.

NOAA and other hydrographic offices

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides official nautical charts of US waters, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

Other national hydrographic offices publish data covering their territorial waters. Together, these sources contribute to nautical chart coverage throughout the Caribbean basin.

Paper or digital nautical charts for sailing in the Caribbean?

Paper nautical charts provide an overview of the intended route and make it easier to plan passages between islands. They remain usable independently of electronic navigation equipment.

Digital nautical charts, including those offered by Navionics, C-MAP and Imray, allow sailors to consult cartographic information on compatible equipment. Depending on the system, they offer different display scales and navigation assistance features.

For professional navigation, vector Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) can be used with compatible ECDIS systems.

In reef areas, it is essential to have sufficiently detailed and up-to-date charts. Zooming in on a digital chart does not guarantee greater hydrographic accuracy.

How to choose the right scale for a Caribbean Sea nautical chart

The appropriate chart scale depends on the intended route and type of navigation.

A small-scale general chart is suitable for planning longer passages between the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles and Central America.

Intermediate-scale coastal charts help sailors prepare passages between islands, such as Martinique to Saint Lucia or Guadeloupe to Antigua.

Large-scale charts are essential for studying reef passages, channels, harbours and anchorages.

A cruise involving several islands will generally require a combination of all three levels of chart coverage.

Conclusion

A Caribbean Sea nautical chart is an essential navigational document for planning passages between the Antilles, Central America and the northern coast of South America.

From the anchorages of Guadeloupe to the reefs of Belize, and from the Virgin Islands to the Panama Canal, each region presents its own hydrographic characteristics.

Suitable, sufficiently detailed and regularly updated nautical charts help sailors prepare crossings, identify navigational hazards and navigate more safely.

FAQ – Caribbean Sea nautical charts

Which nautical chart should I choose for sailing in the Caribbean?

The choice depends on the sailing area and intended route. A general chart is suitable for planning major crossings, while coastal charts and detailed plans are required for approaches to islands, harbours and anchorages.

Which nautical charts should I use for sailing between Martinique and Guadeloupe?

You will need chart coverage of Martinique, Dominica, Les Saintes and Guadeloupe, together with detailed plans of your intended stopovers. SHOM and Imray offer suitable chart coverage for this region.

Are digital nautical charts available for the Caribbean?

Yes. Several publishers offer digital nautical charts covering the Caribbean. It is important to check their exact geographical coverage, compatibility with your navigation equipment and available update options.

Which nautical charts should I choose for sailing in the Grenadines?

Detailed coastal charts are required to identify reefs, passages and anchorages around Saint Vincent, Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau and Union Island. Particular care is needed when approaching the Tobago Cays.

Which nautical chart should I use to reach the Panama Canal from the Antilles?

A general Caribbean chart is useful for planning the westbound passage. It should be supplemented by detailed charts of the Panamanian coast, the approaches to Colón and the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal.

Why should nautical charts be updated before a Caribbean cruise?

Navigation marks, water depths, harbour facilities and regulated areas may change. Chart updates and notices to mariners provide the latest available information for safe passage planning.