Pilot Books: Planning Coastlines, Ports and Stopovers

A pilot book is essential nautical documentation for planning coastal navigation, a cruise, an offshore passage or a stopover in an unfamiliar sailing area. Known as a “pilot book” in English nautical literature, it describes a coastline, maritime region, archipelago or sailing area and provides practical information that complements the geographical information shown on a nautical chart.

A pilot book helps sailors understand how to approach a coastline, identify major hazards, prepare a harbour entrance, select an anchorage, anticipate the effects of wind and swell and understand local characteristics. It therefore provides a link between cartographic information and the conditions actually encountered by the navigator.

At Nautic Way Maritime Bookshop, the Pilot Books category includes publications for recreational sailing as well as offshore navigation, covering France, Europe and many international sailing areas.

What Is a Pilot Book?

A pilot book is a publication devoted to a defined geographical area. It generally describes the coastline in the order in which it may be encountered during navigation and provides information required to prepare a passage and stopovers.

Unlike a simple nautical chart, a pilot book explains the maritime environment. It may describe an entrance channel, identify a shoal, provide information about an anchorage or draw attention to local current or wind conditions.

Depending on the publication and sailing area, a pilot book may include:

• harbour and marina approaches;

• channels and entrance passages;

• coastal and underwater hazards;

• shoals, reefs and rocks;

• anchorages and sheltered areas;

• local currents;

• wind and swell effects;

• alignments and prominent landmarks;

• lights and navigation aids;

• radio information and harbour contacts;

• local administrative information;

• services available in ports.

This information is particularly useful when preparing navigation in an unfamiliar area.

Pilot Book, Nautical Guide and Sailing Directions: What Are the Differences?

The terms pilot book, nautical guide and sailing directions are closely related, but their purposes may differ.

A pilot book generally focuses on practical use of a sailing area: approaches, routes, anchorages, ports, hazards and local conditions.

A nautical guide or cruising guide often takes a broader approach. It may combine navigation information, descriptions of stopovers, port information and practical advice for recreational sailors.

Sailing directions are generally more technical and institutional. Shom publications and Admiralty Sailing Directions from the UK Hydrographic Office provide structured descriptions of coastlines, approaches, hazards, hydrographic conditions and maritime facilities.

The choice therefore depends on the type of navigation and the level of detail required.

Why Use a Pilot Book?

A nautical chart accurately represents the position of depths, hazards, navigation marks, lights, channels and infrastructure. However, it cannot always explain how these elements should be interpreted in the real context of navigation.

A pilot book provides this descriptive dimension.

Before a stopover, it can help prepare:

• the harbour approach;

• passage through an entrance channel;

• the choice of an anchorage;

• alternative routes;

• areas exposed to swell;

• areas subject to strong currents;

• the main visual landmarks;

• contingency options in deteriorating weather.

It therefore allows the sailor to prepare navigation before reaching the area and reduces the number of decisions that must be made when visibility, wind or sea conditions may complicate the operation.

Pilot Books for the English Channel and North Sea

The English Channel is an area where the use of a pilot book is particularly valuable because of currents, large tidal ranges, sandbanks, channels and heavy maritime traffic.

A pilot book can support navigation between Dunkirk, Calais, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Dieppe, Le Havre, Cherbourg, Saint-Malo and Brest. On the British side, the approaches to Dover, Portsmouth, Southampton, Plymouth and Falmouth also present many specific characteristics.

In this region, pilot information should be interpreted together with Shom or Admiralty charts and the relevant tide and current information.

Pilot Books for Brittany and the French Atlantic Coast

Brittany, the Iroise Sea and the Atlantic coast offer a wide variety of coastlines, islands, channels and anchorages.

A pilot book can be used to prepare navigation around Brest, Roscoff, Morlaix, Lorient, Concarneau, Belle-Île, La Rochelle, Île d’Yeu or the ports of the Bay of Biscay.

Knowledge of approaches and anchorages is particularly useful in areas where depths, currents, prevailing winds and swell can significantly affect access conditions.

Specialist pilot books and guides can therefore complement Shom charts and, depending on the area, publications from Admiralty, Imray or NV Charts.

Pilot Books for the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean is another major sailing area covered by numerous pilot books.

Sailors can use them to prepare stopovers in Marseille, Toulon, Nice, Ajaccio, Bastia, Bonifacio, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, Genoa, Naples or Dubrovnik.

In this region, information concerning anchorages, exposure to wind and swell, approaches and local characteristics is particularly important.

Imray publications are widely used for several Mediterranean sailing areas. They can be used with Shom, Admiralty, Imray or NV Charts depending on the area concerned.

Pilot Books for the Atlantic and Ocean Passages

Pilot books are also essential when navigation extends beyond the French coastline.

For a route towards Lisbon, Madeira, the Azores or the Canary Islands, they help sailors prepare approaches and stopovers in areas that may be unfamiliar to the crew.

During a transatlantic crossing, the requirements are different. The navigator needs documentation adapted to major ocean routes, stopovers and seasonal conditions.

An itinerary may therefore link La Rochelle, Lisbon, Las Palmas, Mindelo, Fort-de-France and other Caribbean ports.

For long-distance navigation, specialist publications also cover the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean, with possible stopovers in Papeete, Auckland, Port Louis or Cape Town.

Pilot Books for the Caribbean and West Indies

The Caribbean is a particularly well-covered area in terms of pilot books.

A specialist pilot book can support navigation between Martinique, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy.

It can be used to prepare stopovers in Fort-de-France, Le Marin, Pointe-à-Pitre, Gustavia, Marigot or Roseau.

In these regions, information about anchorages, approaches, depths, winds and the protection provided by islands can be decisive when choosing a suitable stopover according to weather conditions.

How to Use a Pilot Book Before Departure

A pilot book should be consulted during route planning, not only when entering a harbour.

An effective method is to:

• identify sensitive sections of the route;

• identify arrival and alternative ports;

• study entrance channels;

• select several possible anchorages;

• note local wind and current characteristics;

• identify major landmarks and lights;

• prepare approaches for both daylight and night-time conditions;

• check information that may have changed.

This preparation provides a genuine navigation plan before reaching the area.

Using a Pilot Book with a Nautical Chart

A pilot book never replaces the nautical chart required for navigation. The two documents serve different purposes.

The chart allows the navigator to determine position, depth, hazards, navigation marks and route. The pilot book provides a complementary description of the coastline and explains practical characteristics of the sailing area.

Effective preparation therefore involves moving constantly between the two.

For example, when approaching a harbour in Brittany, the navigator can identify the entrance channel and hazards on a Shom chart, then consult the pilot book to understand the alignments, landmarks, wind conditions, currents and possible anchorages.

Paper or Digital Pilot Book?

Pilot books are available in paper format and, for certain publications, digital format.

Digital format facilitates searching and makes it possible to store a large amount of documentation in a small amount of space. It integrates naturally into navigation planning using a computer, tablet or compatible electronic system.

Paper pilot books nevertheless retain an important advantage: they remain available independently of batteries, electrical power or electronic systems.

On board, paper documentation also provides a valuable backup in the event of electronic equipment failure.

How to Choose a Pilot Book

The first criterion is always the geographical area. A pilot book should accurately cover the area in which the vessel will navigate.

Other factors should then be considered:

• type of navigation: coastal, offshore or ocean;

• vessel and draught;

• ports and anchorages of interest;

• language of the publication;

• level of detail required;

• paper or digital format;

• publication date;

• available corrections or updates.

For a Mediterranean cruise, a regional pilot book will generally be more useful than a publication covering an excessively large area. For an ocean passage, several specialist pilot books may be required for the different stopovers.

Major Publishers and Collections

Pilot books are published by different private publishers and hydrographic offices.

Among the frequently encountered references are:

• Imray, covering many cruising areas in Europe and worldwide;

• Shom, for official French sailing directions;

• Admiralty and UKHO, for Sailing Directions covering numerous international regions;

• NV Charts, alongside their charting documentation in selected areas;

• Pilote Côtier, covering various French sailing areas;

• Maptech, particularly for certain North American areas;

• Waterway, for navigation on various inland waterways.

Each collection has its own geographical coverage and level of detail. It is therefore important to select the publication corresponding precisely to the intended itinerary.

Pilot Book Updates and Service Life

A descriptive pilot book can generally be kept longer than an annual almanac, but this does not mean that it should be used for years without checking.

Ports change, channels may be modified, new hazards can appear and port infrastructure can evolve.

Before navigation, it is therefore recommended to check the publication date and any available corrections.

Information that is particularly subject to change, such as depths, navigation marks, port works, contacts or regulations, should be compared with the latest available nautical information.

Conclusion

A pilot book is an essential tool for understanding a coastline, preparing a harbour approach and organizing stopovers. It provides practical knowledge of the maritime environment that cartography alone cannot always convey.

From the English Channel and North Sea to Brittany and the Atlantic, from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, and from the major Atlantic routes to the Indian and Pacific Oceans, pilot books help sailors anticipate the characteristics of each sailing area.

Used together with nautical charts from Shom, Admiralty, Imray or NV Charts, as well as appropriate tide, current and safety information, a pilot book becomes a genuine planning and decision-support tool.

It is suitable for recreational sailors preparing their first cruise as well as experienced sailors, offshore skippers, instructors and maritime professionals who need precise knowledge of coastlines, ports, hazards and local conditions when entering an unfamiliar area.

FAQ – Pilot Books

What is a pilot book?

A pilot book is a publication describing a maritime area, coastline or sailing region. It provides practical information about ports, approaches, anchorages, hazards, currents, winds, landmarks and local characteristics.

What is the difference between a pilot book and a nautical chart?

A nautical chart represents the sailing area geographically and shows depths, hazards, navigation marks and lights. A pilot book describes the coastline and provides practical information for preparing approaches and stopovers.

Can a pilot book replace a nautical chart?

No. A pilot book complements the nautical charts and does not replace the cartographic documentation required for navigation.

What is the difference between a pilot book and sailing directions?

A pilot book intended for recreational sailors generally uses a practical and descriptive approach, with information about ports, anchorages and local conditions. Official sailing directions, such as those published by Shom or Admiralty, are generally more technical and structured.

Which pilot book should I choose for Brittany?

Choose a pilot book covering the specific area of navigation: northern Brittany, southern Brittany, Iroise Sea, English Channel or Atlantic coast. The choice also depends on the type of navigation and the ports or anchorages of interest.

Which pilot book should I use for the Mediterranean?

There are specialist pilot books covering different regions: western Mediterranean, Balearic Islands, Corsica, Sardinia, Adriatic, Greece, Turkey and other areas. Imray publications are widely used for several of these regions.

Which pilot book should I choose for an Atlantic crossing?

For a transatlantic crossing, it is preferable to use documentation dedicated to ocean routes and the main stopover areas. Regional pilot books can then complement the documentation for the Canary Islands, Cape Verde and the Caribbean.

Should I have a pilot book on board for night navigation?

A pilot book is particularly useful when preparing a night-time approach because it allows sailors to study lights, landmarks, alignments, entrance channels, hazards and harbour characteristics in advance. It must nevertheless be used together with the appropriate charts and other nautical documentation.

Is a paper pilot book still useful with GPS and a chartplotter?

Yes. A pilot book provides descriptive information that an electronic system does not always offer and provides independent documentation in the event of electrical or electronic failure.

How long can a nautical pilot book be kept?

This depends on the publication and sailing area. A descriptive pilot book can remain useful for several years, but its publication date and available corrections should be checked regularly.

Who are the main publishers of nautical pilot books?

Well-known publishers and organizations include Imray, Shom, Admiralty/UKHO, NV Charts, Pilote Côtier, Maptech and various specialist regional publishers.

Is a pilot book useful for offshore navigation?

Yes. Pilot books are particularly useful for preparing landfalls, harbour approaches, anchorages and stopovers during offshore navigation. For major ocean crossings, they are generally combined with publications dedicated to ocean routes and weather conditions.