NOAA Atlantic Ocean Nautical Chart

The area covered by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) nautical charts for the Atlantic Ocean constitutes the world’s largest maritime domain. This leading U.S. organisation produces official nautical charts for all U.S. waters, focusing exclusively on the coastal waters of the United States. Whether you are preparing a transatlantic passage towards the U.S. coastline or a local coastal voyage, choosing official charting is essential for safety, accuracy and regulatory compliance. Nautic Way Maritime Bookshop, a recognised specialist with more than 25,000 references, assists mariners in selecting these essential navigation resources for safe and efficient navigation in U.S. waters.

What is this nautical chart used for?

The value of a NOAA chart lies in its ability to provide comprehensive hydrographic and oceanographic information, turning the chart table into a reliable operational planning centre.

• Safe route planning: They allow you to plan every stage of a voyage, whether for sailing, fishing or cruising.

• Bathymetric analysis: The charts provide detailed information on water depths and the seabed, helping mariners avoid hazards.

• Identification of landmarks and aids to navigation: Mariners can find the precise positions of buoys, lighthouses and beacons, which are essential for visual positioning.

• Understanding oceanographic conditions: They incorporate critical information on currents, tides and potential hazards in the area.

• Strategic planning tool: Unlike digital systems, which can be limited by screen size, a paper chart provides a robust overall view, ideal for developing a clear route strategy and identifying potential anchorages.

Which type of navigator is this nautical chart recommended for?

The Nautic Way catalogue offers 280 NOAA products for the Atlantic, meeting the needs of a wide range of mariners.

• Leisure sailors and recreational boaters: Essential for safe recreational boating activities along the U.S. coastline.

• Skippers and long-distance sailors: For those undertaking deliveries or offshore cruises to the United States.

• Professional mariners and commercial shipping: These documents are fully suited to the technical requirements of commercial navigation.

• Navigation schools: A valuable training resource for learning to interpret the seabed and aids to navigation.

Reading and understanding the chart

The effectiveness of NOAA charts is based on rigorous organisation of scales and a high density of information, inherited from a long cartographic tradition that began in 1807.

• Available formats: Charts are supplied flat and rolled in a tube for optimal readability.

• Appropriate scales: Nautic Way allows you to choose the appropriate coverage for your area of navigation: coastal (170 products), nearshore (49 products) or offshore (12 products).

• Information shown: Mariners should pay particular attention to bathymetry, coastline features and the complete range of official aids to navigation, including buoys and lighthouses.

• Complementary tools: Nautic Way provides an interactive chart tool allowing you to select precisely the chart number corresponding to your route, such as 11013 for the Straits of Florida or 25640 for Puerto Rico.

Reliability, updates and safety

Safety at sea depends on the currency of hydrographic information. NOAA is currently undergoing a major technological transition that every mariner should understand.

• End of traditional paper charts: NOAA announced the complete discontinuation of its traditional paper chart production as of January 1, 2025.

• ENC printing: To compensate for this discontinuation, Nautic Way offers printed ENCs (Electronic Navigational Charts), providing faithful paper copies based on vector databases updated in near real time.

• Depth units: On traditional NOAA charts, depths are shown in fathoms. On new paper charts produced from ENC data and offered by Nautic Way, depths are shown in metres.

• Printed to order: All charts are printed to order and incorporate the latest updates from the hydrographic service.

• Right of withdrawal: Due to their rapid obsolescence and customised nature, as they are printed to order, these charts cannot be returned or exchanged.

Nautic Way expertise for mariners

Choosing Nautic Way Maritime Bookshop means relying on a recognised specialist in nautical charting.

• Specialist expertise: Based in Challans, France, our team assists professional mariners and leisure sailors in selecting the appropriate navigation documentation.

• Cutting-edge technology: Nautic Way uses tools that enable ENC printing, providing customers with a reliable paper medium compliant with the latest U.S. charting standards.

• Wide selection: With more than 25,000 references, we provide the essential navigation resources for responsible navigation on all the world's seas.

FAQ

Which nautical chart should I choose for sailing in the U.S. Atlantic?
The choice depends on the scale of your navigation. You can use the interactive chart tool on the Nautic Way website to select the appropriate chart numbers for your area, such as 11460 for Cape Canaveral or 25641 for the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Is this chart sufficient on its own for safe navigation?
Although comprehensive, it is an essential navigation tool that should be used together with other publications, such as sailing directions and almanacs, to prepare a voyage safely.

How often should a NOAA chart be replaced?
Because nautical charts can become obsolete rapidly, it is essential to use recently printed charts incorporating the latest hydrographic corrections.

Can NOAA charts be used with a GPS?
Yes. The paper charts printed by Nautic Way are now based on ENCs, the standard for electronic nautical charting, ensuring consistency with your digital navigation systems.

What is the difference between a SHOM chart and a NOAA chart?
SHOM is the French hydrographic service, while NOAA is the official U.S. organisation. Each is the official reference for nautical charting within its respective national jurisdiction.