NOAA Pacific Ocean Nautical Chart

Navigation in the Pacific Ocean, and particularly along the U.S. coastline, presents a major challenge for any mariner due to the vastness of the area and the diversity of coastal landscapes, ranging from the fjords of Alaska to the sunny shores of California. This page brings together the official nautical charts produced by NOAA – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the leading U.S. authority for maritime and oceanographic navigation.

It is important to note that these charts focus specifically on the coastal waters of the United States. For a skipper, fisherman or recreational sailor, choosing a chart suited to the intended type of navigation is essential for safety and accuracy. Whether you are preparing a transatlantic passage arriving on the U.S. West Coast or a coastal cruise, having up-to-date official documentation is essential for complying with regulations and ensuring a safe route.

What is this nautical chart used for?

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

• Safe route planning: These charts are an essential tool for preparing a voyage, whether for sailing, fishing or cruising.

• Bathymetric analysis: They provide detailed information on water depths and the seabed, allowing mariners to anticipate shoals and shallow areas.

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

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

• Added value compared with digital charts: Although digital navigation has become the standard, a NOAA paper chart remains an essential onboard backup. It provides an overall view that screen zoom can fragment, helping mariners identify potential anchorages and navigate many nautical miles with confidence.

Which type of navigator is this nautical chart recommended for?

Nautic Way Maritime Bookshop offers these solutions to a wide range of users, ensuring that each mariner has the appropriate tool for their intended use.

• Leisure sailors and recreational boaters: To ensure safe day trips, fishing trips or family cruises along the U.S. coastline.

• Experienced sailors and skippers: For preparing deliveries, passages or demanding offshore voyages.

• Professional mariners and commercial shipping: NOAA charts are well suited to the technical requirements of commercial navigation.

• Day and night navigation: The accuracy of aids to navigation and light sectors supports safe vessel operation around the clock.

Reading and understanding the chart

The effectiveness of NOAA charts is based on the rigorous organisation of information, inherited from a long cartographic tradition that began in 1807 with the Office of Coast Survey.

• Format and chart medium: Charts are supplied flat and rolled in a tube, making them suitable for clear reading on a chart table.

• Different scales: The Pacific catalogue includes 429 products, divided by coverage area: coastal (331 charts), nearshore (79 charts), offshore (18 charts) and oceanic (1 chart).

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

• Depth units: Historically, depths have been shown in fathoms. However, for new paper charts produced from ENC data, depths are now given in metres.

• Professional use: The Office of Coast Survey is now rationalising its chart coverage to provide standardised scales offering an optimal level of detail.

Reliability, updates and safety

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

• End of traditional paper charts: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced the complete discontinuation of its traditional paper chart production as of January 1, 2025.

• ENC printing: To compensate for this discontinuation, Nautic Way uses a system that replaces traditional paper charts with printed ENCs (Electronic Navigational Charts), providing faithful copies based on data updated in near real time.

• Printed to order: All charts are printed to order and benefit from the latest corrections issued by the U.S. hydrographic service.

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

• Best practice: For maximum safety, it is recommended to combine the use of ENCs (available for download) with paper charts.

Nautic Way expertise for mariners

Choosing Nautic Way Maritime Bookshop means relying on a recognised specialist in nautical charting, with more than 25,000 references:

• Specialist expertise: Nautic Way assists leisure sailors and professional mariners in selecting the appropriate navigation documentation.

• Authorised and certified supplier: We offer official NOAA charts, providing access to authentic U.S. hydrographic documentation.

• Technological expertise: Nautic Way has expertise in new printing solutions based on ENC data, providing customers with a reliable paper medium compliant with the latest international standards.

• Location and advice: Based in Challans (85300), France, our team of experts provides specialist knowledge to guide each mariner towards the product best suited to their route.

FAQ

Which nautical chart should I choose for sailing in the U.S. Pacific?
The choice depends on your navigation area and the required scale: coastal charts for coastal navigation or offshore charts for open-water passages. You can use the interactive chart tool on Nautic Way to select the appropriate chart numbers for your route.

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, particularly during the transition to ENC-based chart production introduced in 2025.

Can NOAA charts be used with a GPS?
Yes. The paper charts printed by Nautic Way are now based on the same underlying databases as ENCs, the standard for electronic nautical charting, ensuring consistency with 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.