Reeds Almanacs: International Reference for Coastal and Offshore Navigation

The Reeds Almanac is one of the major references in English-language nautical documentation. Used for many years by leisure sailors, skippers and professional mariners, it brings together regularly updated publications containing a wide range of information required for planning and conducting coastal or offshore navigation.

The Reeds collection is particularly well known for the Reeds Nautical Almanac, widely regarded as a key reference for navigation in European Atlantic waters. The range also includes regional almanacs such as the Reeds Channel Almanac, Reeds Eastern Almanac, Reeds Western Almanac, as well as versions designed for small craft or sailors who prefer a loose-leaf format.

Reeds almanacs are published in English and are intended in particular for sailors navigating around the coasts of the United Kingdom, Ireland, the English Channel, the North Sea, the European Atlantic and, depending on the edition, the Azores, Madeira and the coastline as far as Gibraltar.

What is the Reeds Nautical Almanac used for?

A nautical almanac does not replace a nautical chart. It provides the practical information needed to use charted information effectively and prepare the different stages of a voyage.

The Reeds Nautical Almanac includes, among other information:

• port plans and harbour information;

• tide tables;

• tidal current information;

• lights and navigation marks;

• waypoints;

• route and passage information;

• distance tables;

• radio information;

• weather information;

• safety procedures;

• first-aid information;

• marina information.

The 2026 edition of the general Reeds Nautical Almanac includes approximately 700 port plans and more than 7,500 waypoints, with data regularly updated.

The advantage of this structure is that sailors can quickly find operational information before or during navigation.

A Reference for the European Atlantic

The Reeds Nautical Almanac covers a large part of the European Atlantic.

Its geographical area includes the waters from Denmark to Gibraltar, covering the European Atlantic coasts, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Channel Islands, as well as the French, Spanish and Portuguese coasts. Depending on its editorial coverage, it also includes northern Morocco, the Azores and Madeira.

This extensive coverage makes it particularly suitable for international cruising.

For example, a sailor can plan a route from the North Sea to the English Channel, continue along the French coast towards Brest, La Rochelle or Bayonne, then sail towards Spain and Portugal before reaching Gibraltar.

For offshore passages or long-distance cruising, information concerning Madeira and the Azores can also be used to prepare stopovers and Atlantic passages.

Reeds Channel Almanac: English Channel and Surrounding Coasts

The Reeds Channel Almanac is a regional edition particularly useful for sailors navigating the English Channel.

Its coverage includes the southern coast of England, from the Isles of Scilly to Ramsgate, as well as the northern coast of France, from Dunkirk to Ouessant. It also covers the Channel Islands.

This area includes maritime zones particularly affected by tides and currents.

Ports such as Dunkirk, Calais, Dieppe, Le Havre, Cherbourg, Granville and Saint-Malo, as well as the various British ports of the English Channel, can therefore be incorporated into a cruise plan.

The Reeds Channel Almanac provides in particular:

• tide tables;

• tidal currents;

• waypoints;

• lights and navigation marks;

• port plans;

• weather information;

• radio procedures;

• safety information;

• distress procedures.

It is therefore particularly suitable for sailors who regularly navigate in the English Channel.

Reeds Eastern Almanac: North Sea and Eastern Coasts

The Reeds Eastern Almanac focuses on the eastern cruising areas of the British Isles and the North Sea.

The 2026 edition covers the eastern coasts of the United Kingdom, the Shetland and Orkney Islands, as well as the Dutch and German coasts, with coverage extending approximately from Ramsgate to Heligoland.

This region has specific characteristics: strong currents in certain areas, heavy commercial traffic, sandbanks, channels, busy port areas and navigation in relatively shallow waters.

The Reeds Eastern Almanac helps sailors prepare stopovers and passages around ports such as Ramsgate, Harwich, Hull, Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Hamburg, depending on the area covered.

It is particularly useful as complementary documentation for sailors wishing to cross or explore the North Sea.

Reeds Western Almanac: United Kingdom and Ireland

The Reeds Western Almanac covers the western coasts of the British Isles and Ireland.

The 2026 edition covers the British coastline from Cape Wrath to Padstow, as well as the whole of Ireland.

This region includes a wide range of maritime environments: rocky coastlines, archipelagos, exposed passages, straits, bays and numerous marinas and harbours.

Information about tides, waypoints, lights, weather and safety procedures is particularly useful for preparing navigation in these waters.

The publication can accompany cruises around Scotland, Wales, Ireland or the south-western coast of England.

Reeds Small Craft Almanac: For Small Craft

The Reeds Small Craft Almanac is a more compact version designed for sailors operating smaller vessels.

It brings together essential nautical information in a format that is easier to carry and consult.

The 2026 edition covers the coasts of the United Kingdom, Ireland and the North Atlantic, with coverage extending to Denmark and the Gironde depending on the areas concerned. It includes tide and current information, waypoints, radio information, weather data and emergency information.

It is particularly suitable for sailors looking for concise documentation without carrying the complete Reeds Nautical Almanac.

Reeds Looseleaf Almanac: A Loose-Leaf Format

The Reeds Looseleaf Almanac uses a loose-leaf format for the comprehensive Reeds documentation.

This presentation makes it easier to consult and manage a large volume of information intended for navigation.

The 2026 edition covers the area from Denmark to Gibraltar, including the Channel Islands, Ireland, Madeira and the Azores. It contains approximately 700 port plans and 7,500 waypoints.

The loose-leaf format is particularly useful for sailors who make extensive use of the almanac at the chart table and want to organize their documentation according to their cruising area.

Tides, Currents and Route Planning

Tides and currents are a key component of Reeds almanacs.

This information is particularly important in the English Channel, North Sea, Brittany, Ireland and around the British Isles.

A passage between Cherbourg and Portsmouth, navigation around the Channel Islands or a North Sea crossing cannot be planned simply by considering distance and heading.

The navigator needs to determine:

• the optimum passage time;

• the influence of the current;

• the available water depth;

• weather conditions;

• any challenging passages;

• arrival times at ports.

Reeds provides this information in a structured format designed for nautical use and onboard consultation.

Port Plans and Stopover Planning

Port plans are one of the important features of the Reeds Nautical Almanac.

They help sailors prepare an approach to an unfamiliar harbour by identifying the main elements of the entrance and harbour layout.

This function is particularly useful for an itinerary involving several stopovers.

A sailor can prepare successive calls at Dover, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Brest, La Rochelle, Bilbao, La Coruña, Lisbon or Gibraltar, depending on the planned route and geographical coverage.

A port plan does not replace the navigation chart. It is complementary documentation intended particularly for preparing harbour approaches and stopovers.

Lights, Navigation Marks and Night Navigation

Reeds almanacs also provide information about lights and navigation marks.

This information is useful for identifying aids to navigation and preparing nighttime approaches.

Night navigation along the British coast, in the English Channel or in approaches to Atlantic ports requires a good understanding of buoyage and the characteristics of navigation lights.

Reeds provides practical documentation that complements the information shown on nautical charts.

Weather, Radio and Safety

Navigation depends on more than cartography.

Reeds almanacs also contain information relating to weather, radio communications, distress procedures and safety.

Information about emergency calls, including Mayday procedures, provides sailors with a readily accessible reference in the event of a critical situation.

This explains why Reeds is used as onboard documentation well beyond simple stopover planning.

Which Nautical Charts Should Be Used with Reeds?

Reeds is designed to complement nautical charts.

Depending on the cruising area, it can be used with charts produced by Shom, Admiralty, NV Charts or the relevant national hydrographic services.

For example:

• English Channel and French coast: Shom or Admiralty;

• British coast: Admiralty and other suitable charting systems;

• North Sea: Admiralty, NV Charts and national hydrographic services;

• French Atlantic coast: Shom, Admiralty or NV Charts;

• Spain and Portugal: appropriate hydrographic charts for the countries concerned;

• Azores and Madeira: charts covering the relevant Atlantic areas.

The choice of chart always depends on the cruising area, type of navigation and navigation system used.

An English-Language Almanac for International Navigation

The Reeds Nautical Almanac is published in English. This is an advantage for sailors engaged in international navigation and accustomed to English maritime terminology.

Terms relating to tides, ports, lights, buoyage, weather and communications are therefore presented using internationally recognised nautical vocabulary.

Reeds is particularly suitable for crews who regularly sail between France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain and Portugal.

Why Use the Current Reeds Edition?

Reeds is an annual publication. Nautical information is regularly revised to incorporate changes affecting ports, navigation aids, tides, communications and regulatory data.

The 2026 edition of the Reeds Nautical Almanac incorporates numerous annual updates and includes more than 45,000 changes, according to the publisher's information.

For current navigation, using the edition corresponding to the year of the voyage is therefore an important precaution.

Conclusion

The Reeds Almanac is a major reference for sailors undertaking coastal and offshore navigation in British and European Atlantic waters.

With the Reeds Nautical Almanac, Reeds Channel Almanac, Reeds Eastern Almanac, Reeds Western Almanac, Reeds Small Craft Almanac and Reeds Looseleaf Almanac, the collection allows sailors to choose documentation suited to their cruising area and type of vessel.

From the North Sea to the English Channel, from the British and Irish coasts to the French Atlantic coast, from Spain to Portugal and as far as the Azores, Madeira and Gibraltar, Reeds provides practical information about ports, tides, currents, lights, waypoints, weather, communications and safety.

Used alongside appropriate nautical charts, a Reeds almanac provides particularly comprehensive documentation for preparing international voyages and planning stopovers accurately.

FAQ – Reeds Almanacs

What is the Reeds Nautical Almanac?

The Reeds Nautical Almanac is an annual English-language nautical almanac providing information about ports, tides, currents, lights, navigation marks, waypoints, weather, communications, safety and navigation in European Atlantic waters.

What area does the Reeds Nautical Almanac cover?

It covers European Atlantic waters from Denmark to Gibraltar, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Channel Islands, the French, Spanish and Portuguese coasts, as well as the Azores, Madeira and northern Morocco depending on the edition's geographical coverage.

Does the Reeds Nautical Almanac cover the Mediterranean?

No. The Reeds Nautical Almanac mainly focuses on the European Atlantic. For the Mediterranean, other specialised publications, including the Imray Mediterranean Almanac, are more appropriate.

What is the difference between the Reeds Nautical Almanac and the Reeds Channel Almanac?

The Reeds Nautical Almanac covers a much larger area, from Denmark to Gibraltar. The Reeds Channel Almanac specialises in the English Channel, including the southern English coast, northern France and the Channel Islands.

What area does the Reeds Eastern Almanac cover?

The Reeds Eastern Almanac covers the eastern coasts of the United Kingdom, the Shetland and Orkney Islands, as well as the Dutch and German coasts of the North Sea.

What area does the Reeds Western Almanac cover?

It covers the western coasts of the British Isles, from Cape Wrath to Padstow, as well as the whole of Ireland.

Does Reeds contain tide tables?

Yes. Tide tables and tidal current information are an important part of Reeds almanacs.

How many port plans does the Reeds Nautical Almanac contain?

The 2026 edition of the Reeds Nautical Almanac contains approximately 700 port plans.

How many waypoints does the 2026 Reeds Nautical Almanac contain?

The 2026 edition contains more than 7,500 waypoints.

Does Reeds replace a nautical chart?

No. The almanac and nautical chart are complementary. The chart is used to position the vessel and plot the route, while Reeds provides extensive practical and operational information.

Which nautical charts can be used with Reeds?

Depending on the area, it can be used with charts from Shom, Admiralty, NV Charts or national hydrographic services.

Is Reeds available in French?

No. The Reeds Nautical Almanac is published in English. It is particularly suitable for sailors engaged in international navigation and familiar with English maritime terminology.

Is Reeds suitable for navigation in the English Channel?

Yes. The Reeds Channel Almanac is specifically dedicated to the English Channel and is particularly suitable for navigation between the French and British coasts.

Is Reeds suitable for navigation in the North Sea?

Yes. The Reeds Eastern Almanac is designed in particular for navigation in the North Sea, around the eastern British coast, the Netherlands and Germany.

Is there a Reeds almanac for small boats?

Yes. The Reeds Small Craft Almanac is a more compact version designed for small craft and contains the main information required for navigation.

Is there a loose-leaf version of Reeds?

Yes. The Reeds Looseleaf Almanac provides comprehensive documentation in a loose-leaf format, particularly suitable for consultation at the chart table.

Why choose the current year's Reeds edition?

Reeds is updated every year. Information about ports, navigation aids, tides, communications and certain regulatory matters may change. The edition corresponding to the year of navigation therefore provides the most up-to-date documentation.