The Chart Locker

A free resource for cruising sailors
Download chart files in MBTile format for 
use with OpenCPN and other charting programs.

No Patreon. No t-shirts. No videos with ads. 
Donate to save our oceans instead!

Good charts don't matter if we are navigating through dying oceans. Every penny of every donation is sent to The Story of Stuff Project who are working hard to change behaviors and systems that create our dependency on plastic (and other stuff). We also believe in supporting the cruising community without trying to make a buck. Read more...

US $8,688 donated to The Story of Stuff Project as of
7 September 2024... Thank you!

What are MBTile Files?

MBTile is a file format for storing tilesets. It's designed to allow many chart files to be packaged into a single tileset.
A tileset is a collection of raster or vector data broken up into a uniform grid of square graphic tiles at 22 preset zoom levels.

MBTiles have many advantages over the older KAP format. They support more colors, are smaller than KAP files, and many tiles can be contained in a single file. 

PLEASE SHARE THESE FILES BUT 
NOT THE LINKS IN THE TABLES BELOW

Share these files with others but please only share the downloaded files (along with this readme file or a link to this page that you are now reading). That way others who want to download the files will do so knowing everything they need to know (and be able to read the warnings!). It will also give them a chance to donate to a great cause.

Thanks for helping out.

READ THIS VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE!

It’s up to you -- not these files or the people who made them -- to keep you, your crew, and your boat safe. We did our best with these files, but we make no promises.

Always use multiple sources when navigating -- including your eyes looking at the real world, not just a chartplotter.

What's New


December 2024

Added charts for the EAST COAST OF CENTRAL AMERICA (Western Caribbean) & 
EAST COAST OF MAINLAND MEXICO
Added Charts for the JAPAN'S SETO NAIKAI as well as a JAPAN OVERVIEW

30 August 2024
Added link for charts for THE MEDITERRANEAN

3 July 2024
Updated charts for FIJI

20 June 2024
BAHAMAS!
ABCs, ARUBA, BONAIRE & CURAÇAO

31 May 2024
Caribbean! Charts for WINDWARDS, LEEWARDS, TURKS & CAICOS, PUERTO RICO
JAMAICA, CAYMAN ISLANDS, CUBA

Any New Charts?

Subscribe and we'll let you know when new charts are available or older charts are updated. Plus tips, trivia, and OpenCPN news.
(We promise to never share or sell your email address.)

Missed some newsletters?
Check out The Chart Locker Talker archive.

READ THIS NOW

These files -- like all chart files -- have errors and do not display all possible dangers.
Compare and use multiple chart sources. Don't be lazy. You are responsible for navigating your vessel safely.

The Chart Locker

Read HOW TO USE THESE FILES below, and view the

What Charts are Available?

Here are the regions covered by  The Chart Locker charts. 

Index of Countries & Island Groups

American Samoa :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Aotearoa/New Zealand :: NEW ZEALAND/AOTEAROA 
Aruba :: CARIBBEAN
Austral Islands :: FRENCH POLYNESIA
Australia - East Coast :: AUSTRALIA
Bahamas :: CARIBBEAN
Bermuda :: ATLANTIC
Beveridge Reef :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Bonaire :: CARIBBEAN
Caribbean - Leeward Islands :: CARIBBEAN
Caribbean - Windward Islands :: CARIBBEAN
Caribbean - Western :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Canada (British Columbia)
 :: USA & CANADA
Cayman Islands :: CARIBBEANChile (Juan Fernandez, Desventuradas, Salas y Gómez) :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Clipperton Island :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Cocos Island :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Cook Islands :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Costa Rica :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Cuba :: CARIBBEAN
Curaçao :: CARIBBEAN
Dominican Republic :: CARIBBEAN
Easter Island (Rapa Nui) :: SOUTH PACIFIC
El Salvador – Pacific Coast :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Federated States of Micronesia :: TROPICAL NORTH PACIFIC
Fiji :: SOUTH PACIFIC
French Polynesia :: FRENCH POLYNESIA
Gambiers :: FRENCH POLYNESIA
Guatemala :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Honduras :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Jamaica :: CARIBBEAN
Japan - Ryukyu Archipelago :: ASIA
Kiribati :: TROPICAL NORTH PACIFIC
Louisiade Archipelago (PNG) :: SOUTH PACIFIC



Marquesas :: FRENCH POLYNESIA 
Marshall Islands
:: TROPICAL NORTH PACIFIC
Mediterranean :: MEDITERRANEAN
Mexico –  Mainland (East & West) :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Mexico – Sea of Cortez :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Mexico – Islas Revillagigedo :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Micronesia (Federated States) :: TROPICAL NORTH PACIFIC
Minerva Reefs 
:: SOUTH PACIFIC
New Caledonia :: SOUTH PACIFIC
New Zealand/Aotearoa :: NEW ZEALAND/AOTEAROA 
Nicaragua
 :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Niue :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Pacific Ocean :: PACIFIC OVERVIEWS
Palau :: TROPICAL NORTH PACIFIC
Panama :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA

Papua New Guinea - Louisiades :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Pitcairn Islands :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Puerto Rico :: CARIBBEAN
Rapa Nui (Easter Island) :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Samoa :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Society Islands :: FRENCH POLYNESIA
Solomon Islands :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Taiwan :: ASIA
Tokelau
 :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Tonga :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Trinidad & Tobago :: CARIBBEAN
Tuamotus
:: FRENCH POLYNESIA
Turks and Caicos :: CARIBBEAN
Tuvalu :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Vanuatu :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Wallis and Futuna :: SOUTH PACIFIC
USA (Southeast AK, WA, OR, CA) :: USA & CANADA

Note for Mac Users

The native Mac unzip utility sometimes doesn't like zip files made on a Windows computer. If you have problems, we recommend trying a different unzip program like the free Unarchiver.

PACIFIC OVERVIEW

Zoom levels 8-12

Approximately 30N to 30S -- also includes New Zealand, Australia East Coast, Java Sea and SE Asia
Excellent for planning. No need to use overviews of individual island groups when using these.

Use the section you need: East of 180°, West of 180°, or Complete.

View examples to compare areas covered.


Click the link in the Area column to download a ZIP file containing the MBTile charts for that area.

RegionArea# of ChartsSize (bytes)Date Created
Description
PACIFICTropical Pacific - Complete
Roughly 30 N to 30 S
43.12 GB
(3,359,456,312)
Oct 2023Z8-12: ArcGIS, BingSat,
GoogleSat & Navionics
 View coverage maps
PACIFICTropical Pacific - East
Roughly 30 N to 30 S
East of 180° only
41.37 GB
1,482,178,486
Oct 2023Z8-12: ArcGIS, BingSat,
GoogleSat & Navionics
View coverage maps
PACIFICTropical Pacific - West
Roughly 30 N to 30 S
West of 180° only
41.74 GB
(1,877,913,590)
Oct 2023Z8-12: ArcGIS, BingSat,
GoogleSat & Navionics
View coverage maps

MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA

Use Mexico Charts with Mexico & Central America Overview or a Caribbean or Pacific Overview.

Region Area Date ArcGIS BingSat Google Navionics Notes
MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICAOverviewJan 2024ALL (649 MB)Z8-Z12 - Mexico and all of Central America -
East & West Coasts
CENTRAL AMERICAWest Coast - Mexican Border to ColumbiaJan 20243.35 GB4.43 GB3.31 GB613 MBZ8-16,18 - Includes Panama Canal, Cocos Island, & Islas de Las Perlas
CENTRAL AMERICAEast Coast - Mexican Border to ColumbiaDec 20244.56 GB5.72 GB5.29 GB973 MB

(CMapX 1.99 GB)
Z8-16,18 - Can use with Mexico & Central America Overview or Caribbean Overviewbut not required.
MEXICOBaja - Pacific CoastJan 20241.56 GB3.04 GB2.17 GB418 MBZ13-16,18 - San Diego to Cabo San Lucas including Isla Guadalupe & Rocas Alijos
MEXICOGulf of California - West sideJan 20241.42 GB2.33 GB1.68 GB333 MBZ13-16,18
MEXICOGulf of California - East sideJan 20241.77 GB2.73 GB2.01 GB313 MBZ13-16,18
MEXICOMainland - West CoastJan 20241.83 GB2.45 GB2.01 GB367 MBZ13-16,18 - Mazatlán to Guatemala including Islas Revillagigedos and Clipperton
MEXICOMainland - East CoastDec 20244.03 GB6.16 GB4.86 GB864 MB

(CMapX 1.42 GB)
Z8-16,18 - Use with either Mexico & Central America Overview or Caribbean Overview, but not required.
MEXICODrone-Mapped High Resolution Anchorage Charts (link) 
Z19 or 20
Created by s/v Perspective

FRENCH POLYNESIA

Click the link in the Chart Area column to download a ZIP file containing the MBTile charts for that area.

Please do not share file links... only share a link to this page.

Country/RegionChart Area# of ChartsSize (bytes)Date CreatedDescription
FRENCH POLYNESIASociety Islands41,191,525,616
(1.1 GB)
Jun 2023Z8-16,18 Navionics, Bing Sat, Google Sat, & ArcGIS
(Z14 may be the best available zoom level for some islands
when using Bing Sat)
FRENCH POLYNESIAMarquesas4858,364,264
(818 MB)
Feb 2024Z10-16,18 Navionics, Bing Sat, Google Sat, & ArcGIS
FRENCH POLYNESIAAustrals4

356,682,713 
(340 MB)
Feb 2024

Z10-16,18 Navionics, Bing Sat, Google Sat, & ArcGIS
FRENCH POLYNESIATuamotus - ArcGIS12,298,442,346
(2.13 GB)
Jun 2023Z8-16,18 ArcGIS
Do not use these files to navigate atolls at night!
FRENCH POLYNESIATuamotus - Bing Satellite12,718,331,324
(2.53 GB)
Jun 2023Z8-16,18 Bing Sat
Do not use these files to navigate atolls at night!
FRENCH POLYNESIATuamotus - Google Satellite12,631,506,770
(2.45 GB)
Jun 2023Z8-16,18 Google Sat
Do not use these files to navigate atolls at night!
FRENCH POLYNESIATuamotus - Navionics1304,577,661
(290 MB)
Jun 2023Z8-16,18 Navionics
FRENCH POLYNESIATuamotus Passes - GPX Layer
Version 2.01
152 KBJul 2023GPX file to add as an OpenCPN layer
Best viewed on satellite image.
Includes pass notes in description.
Color codes: Green = Pass 
Red = No Pass
Magenta = Small Pass (local boat only) 
Yellow = Possible Pass
White = Quay in Pass or Moorings

SOUTH PACIFIC

Use these charts with a Pacific Overview.

Country Date ArcGIS BingSat GoogleSat Navionics Notes
COOK ISLANDS
Mar 2024ALL (607 MB)

  

Z8-18 ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat, Navionics. 
FIJIJuly 20244.90 GB5.93 GB3.59 GB736 MBZ8-16,18 ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat, Navionics
IMPORTANT NOTE: GoogleEarth is missing areas in the Lau Group (e.g. Malevuvu Reef & parts of Mbukatatanova Reefs). Also, Ceva-i-ra is not charted on GoogleSat or BingSat.
MINERVA REEFSsee TONGA
NEW CALEDONIASep 20225.11 GB3.22 GB3.12 GB751 MBZ12, 15, 18
Use with a Pacific Overview
NIUEsee TONGA
PAPUA NEW GUINEA -
Louisiade Archipelago
Mar 20234.4 GB2.0 GB638 MBZ8-16,18

PITCAIRN ISLANDSsee RAPA NUI
RAPA NUI (Easter Island)
including PITCAIRN ISLANDS,
Arch. Juan Fernandez,
Isla Sala & Gómez,
Islas Desventuradas
Mar 2024ALL (447 MB)Z8-18 ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat, Navionics
NOTE: The positions of some islands are often poorly charted on the Navionics charts and some satellite
images do not include coverage of some islands.
SAMOA & AMERICAN SAMOAMar 2024ALL (2.98 GB)Z8-18 ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat, Navionics
SOLOMON ISLANDSMar 20223.98 GB
4.71 GB2.75 GB586 MBZ8, 10, 12 Overview
Z15, 18 Detail
TOKELAUMar 2024ALL (189 MB)Z8-18 ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat, Navionics
TONGA
Including Niue
Beveridge Reef
Minerva Reef
Mar 2024945 MB1.27 GB1.26 GB235 MBZ8-18 ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat, Navionics
Note: South Minerva Reef & Beveridge Reef are not visible on the satellite images. North Minerva Reef is only visible on Navionics and GoogleSat.
TUVALUMar 2024ALL (385 MB)Z8-18 ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat, Navionics
Niulakita does not appear on BingSat
VANUATUFeb 20242.36 GB
2.58 GB2.82 GB164 MBZ13-16, 18
Use with a Pacific Overview
WALLIS & FUTUNAMar 2024ALL (400 MB)Z8-18 ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat, Navionics

TROPICAL NORTH PACIFIC

Thanks to sy Pakia Tea for creating these charts.

Click the link in the Country column to download a ZIP file containing the MBTile charts for that area.

Please share a link to this page, not the links to the files.

RegionCountry# of ChartsSize (bytes)Date CreatedDescription
NORTH TROPICAL PACIFICKiribati
Gilbert, Phoenix & Line Islands
223,657,588,990
(3.41 GB)
Dec 2021Overviews at Z10
Detail at Z12, 15 and Z17 or 18
ArcGIS, Bing Satellite, Google Satellite & Navionics
(Provided by Pakia Tea)
NORTH TROPICAL PACIFICMicronesia & Palau
85,688,652,244
(5.30 GB)
Feb 2022Overview at Z10
Detail at Z12, 15, and Z17 or 18
ArcGIS, Bing Satellite, Google Satellite & Navionics
(Provided by Pakia Tea)
NORTH TROPICAL PACIFICMarshall Islands
65,453,657,662
(5.08 GB)
Dec 2021Overview at Z10
Detail at Z12, 15, 18
ArcGIS, Google Satellite & Navionics
(Provided by Pakia Tea)

NEW ZEALAND / AOTEAROA

Please share a link to this page, not the links to the files.

North Island East and West Coasts: Cape Reinga to Cape Terawhiti
South Island East Coast: Cape Farewell to Puysegur Point (including Stewart Island)
South Island West Coast: Cape Farewell to Puysegur Point

Use the country overview (Z8-12) along with the coast you are sailing (NE, NW, SE or SW at Z13-16,18)

IslandCoast# of ChartsSize (bytes)Date CreatedDescription
OVERVIEW OF ENTIRE COUNTRYAll41.28 MB
(134,995,488)
Oct 2023Z8-12
ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat, Navionics
NORTH ISLAND /
TE IKA-A-MĀUI
East44.36 GB
(4,686,901,367)
Oct 2023Z13-16,18
ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat, Navionics
NORTH ISLAND /
TE IKA-A-MĀUI
West42.96 GB
(3,183,493,192)
Oct 2023Z13-16,18
ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat, Navionics
SOUTH ISAND / 
TE WAIPOUNAMU
East45.53 GB
(5,945,357,823)
Oct 2023Z13-16,18
ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat, Navionics
SOUTH ISAND /
TE WAIPOUNAMU
West42.65 GB
(2,855,593,503)
Oct 2023Z13-16,18
ArcGIS, BingSat, GoogleSat, Navionics
OUTLYING ISLANDSAntipodes/Moutere Mahue,
Auckland/Motu Maha,
Bounty/Moutere Hauriri,
Campbell/Motu Ihupuku,
Chatham/Wharekauri,
Kermadec/Rangitāhua,
Snares/Tini Heke
<coming soon>

AUSTRALIA

Thanks to Mark & Jennifer Ullmann of m/v Starlet for creating these charts.
 
Coverage is the Gulf of Carpentaria, the East coast of Australia from the Torres Strait south to Tasmania and west through Victoria.

Note that some areas -- particularly on the Great Barrier Reef and in the Coral Sea -- are not covered at greater than Z16.

Please share a link to this page, not the links to the files.

Country/RegionArea# of ChartsSize (bytes)Date CreatedDescription
AUSTRALIACoral Sea 4(2.40 GB)Mar 2023Z10, 12, 14, 16, 18
AUSTRALIAQueensland West - ArcGIS & GoogleSat
Queensland West - BingSat & Navionics
Queensland North - ArcGIS & Navionics
Queensland North - BingSat & GoogleSat
Queensland Mid - ArcGIS
Queensland Mid - BingSat
Queensland Mid - GoogleSat & Navionics
Queensland South - ArcGIS & GoogleSat
Queensland South - BingSat & Navionics
2
2
2
2
1
1
2
2
2
(3.09 GB)
(2.03 GB)
(4.69 GB)
(4.41 GB)
(3.62 GB)
(3.27 GB)
(2.96 GB)
(3.66 GB)
(2.41 GB)
May 2023

Mar 2023
Z10, 12, 14, 16, 18
AUSTRALIANew South Wales - ArcGIS & GoogleSat
New South Wales - BingSat & Navionics
2
2
(3.58 GB)
(2.38 GB)
Mar 2023Z10, 12, 14, 16, 18
AUSTRALIAVictoria - ArcGIS & GoogleSat
Victoria - BingSat & Navionics
2
2
(4.75 GB)
(3.29 GB)
Mar 2023Z10, 12, 14, 16, 18
AUSTRALIATasmania - ArcGIS & GoogleSat
Tasmania - BingSat & Navionics
2
2
(3.36 GB)
(2.10 GB )
Mar 2023Z10, 12, 14, 16, 18

ASIA

For Japan, use the Overview plus whatever regions you are sailing in.
Please share a link to this page, not the links to the files.

CountryRegionDateArcGISBingSatGoogle SatNavionicsDescription
JAPANOverview

Dec 2024ALL (2.02 GB)Z8-14
JAPANRyukyu Islands
Jun 2023ALL (4.26 GB)Z8-16,18
JAPANSeto Naikai & ShikokuDec 20242.67 GB2.94 GB3.47 GB640 MBZ8-18
JAPANKyushu<coming soon>
JAPANHonshu<coming soon>
JAPANHokkaido<coming soon>
TAIWANEntire Coast and all IslandsJun 2023

ALL (3.17 GB)
Z8-16,18
TAIWANEntire Coast and all IslandsJun 2023

ALL (3.17 GB)
Z8-16,18

CARIBBEAN

Use these Charts with Caribbean Overview.
Please share a link to this page, not to the file links below.

Country/Region Date ArcGIS BingSat Google Navionics Notes
OverviewMay
2024
ALL (338MB)Z8-12, Entire Caribbean Basin & Gulf of Mexico: Bahamas to South America, Barbados to
Mexico/Central America.
ABCs
(Aruba, Bonaire & Curaçao)
Jun 2024ALL (799 MB)Z13-18
Use with Caribbean Overview
The Bahamas North
Grand Bahama & TheAbacos
Jun 20243.38 GB3.69 GB2.39 GB485 MBZ13-18
Use with Caribbean Overview
The Bahamas East
Nassau, Eleuthera, Cat,
Exumas, & southwards
Jun 20246.93 GB8.31 GB4.56 GB1.06 GBZ13-16, 18 ArcGIS & BingSat
Z13-18 Navionics & GoogleSat
East of Tongue of the Ocean and 77°W
Use with Caribbean Overview
The Bahamas West
Andros, Bimini, Berry Islands
Jun 20248.29 GB9.14 GB3.91 GB702 MBZ13-16, 18 ArcGIS & BingSat
Z13-18 Navionics & GoogleSat
West of Tongue of the Ocean and 77°W
Use with Caribbean Overview
Cayman Islands<see Jamaica & Cayman Islands>
Cuba - North CoastMay
2024
2.91 GB3.25 GB487 MBZ8-16 & 18
Cuba - South CoastMay
2024
5.68 GB6.66 GB689 MBZ8-16 & 18
Dominican RepublicJan
2023
1.37 GB1.84 GB1.66 GB216 MBZ8, 10, 12, 15, 18 with some
Z14 where Z15 isn't supported
and Z17 where Z18 isn't supported
Haiti<coming early 2025>
Jamaica & Cayman
Islands
May
2024
ALL (1.69 GB)Z8-18
Leeward Islands
(Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, British Virgins, Guadeloupe, Montserrat, Saba, Saint Barths, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Martin, Sint Eustatius, US Virgins)
May
2024
1.46 GB1.64 GB2.02 GB357 MBZ8-18, Virgin Islands to
Guadeloupe
Puerto RicoMay
2024
ALL (2.12 GB)Z8-18
South American Coast
(Venezuela & Columbia)

<coming early 2025>
Turks & CaicosMay
2024
1.50 GB1.69 GB969 MB203 MBZ8-18
Trinidad & Tobago<included in Windward Islands>
Western Caribbean
(East Coast of Central America)
Nov
2024
ALL (351 KB)BingSat, GoogleSat, ArcGIS, Navionics
Z8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18
(Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala & Belize coming in early 2025)
Windward Islands
(Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Martinique, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago)
May
2024
1.39 GB1.39 GB1,44 GB224 MBZ8-18, Dominica to Trinidad 

ATLANTIC

Please do not share file links... only share a link to this page.

Some very large charts exclude Z17. This reduces chart size
by about 20% but does not impact quality. 

Country/RegionDateArcGISBingSatGoogleSatNavionicsNotes
The Bahamas< See Caribbean section>
BermudaMar 2024

ALL (635 MB)Z8-Z18

MEDITERRANEAN

Provided by Peter & Adrienne of s/v Amazing Grace

RegionDescription
MediterraneanCharts Available Here (link)External Link

CANADA & USA
West Coast

Southeast Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon & California
Provided by Peter & Adrienne of s/v Amazing Grace

RegionDescription
North America - West CoastCharts Available Here (link)External Link

OTHER RESOURCES

DescriptionFileDate CreatedCreated by
Rapa Nui (Easter Island) Anchoring GuidePDF (788 KB)2008Bruce & Alene - s/v Migration
South Pacific Weather (Latitude 38 article)PDF (525 KB)2011Bruce & Alene - s/v Migration
Video Seminar: How To Use MBTiles in OpenCPNMP4 (948 MB)2021Bruce & Alene - s/v Migration
Making a Case to Disconnect
Cruising World article, October 2022
PDF (1.8 MB)2022Bruce & Alene - s/v Migration
GRIB Spot Forecast Visual Alert Spreadsheet
Version 2.3
ZIP (1.9 MB)April 2024Bruce & Alene - s/v Migration
This LibreOffice Calc spreadsheet makes it easy
to see if any dangerous weather is expected in your
location based on a downloaded GRIB spot forecast.
Instruction PDF included in ZIP.
Terry's Topics Newsletter
(kindly hosted by s/v Soggy Paws)
Terry's Topics (link)2022A monthly newsletter with lots of
chart and anchoring information from
Terry of s/v Valhalla.
Readme.pdf to include
when sharing charts
PDF 578(KB)2024Bruce & Alene - s/v Migration
Please include this Readme File when sharing The Chart Locker charts.
Other MBTiles SourcesSoggy Paws Satellite Charts (link)

Hacking Family Chart Downloads (link)
2023Other sources of MBTiles and older KAP charts.

Note:  If possible, use MBTiles rather than KAP charts  -- they are a far superior file format.
World MBTiles (non-marine)OpenAndroMaps (link)2023Nice resource for planning as these maps have lots of information that you don't find on nautical or satellite MBTiles (like place names!). Be sure to read "Which map categories do I need?" so you know what to download.

HOW TO USE THESE FILES

56 minute video seminar on using MBTiles in OpenCPN.
(Download available in Other Resources above)

  • OpenCPN Version  ::  OpenCPN 5.x is required to use MBTiles. They cannot be used with OpenCPN 4.x.
  • Keep your CHARTS folder clean :: Don't accept charts from everyone you meet who offers a hard drive full of charts. And don't throw charts into a single folder. Organize your charts and get rid of anything that is outdated or not useful. KAP files, particularly, are of no use if you have good coverage of the same area with MBTiles.
  • Folder Structure  ::  Create an organized folder structure  on your computer. Unzip and copy files into folders. For example:
    C:/charts
    C:/charts/Mexico_mbtiles
    C:/charts/Mexico_mbtiles/Overview
    C:/charts/Mexico_mbtiles /Mainland Pacific
    C:/charts/Mexico_mbtiles /Sea Of Cortez
    etc.
  • Load What You Need :: When "installing" charts in OpenCPN, you will find OpenCPN much more responsive if you only choose those folders with the charts you currently need. For example, if you are sailing in Mexico, don't include charts for French Polynesia. Never include your entire "Charts" folder!
  • Overviews  ::  Some areas have a separate overview. You should include these files when you use the more detailed files for an area; it will look better when using quilting. However, there is no need to use a local island group overview if you are using one of the Pacific Overviews that covers the area of interest.
  • Zoom levels  :: Overviews usually are Z8, Z10 and Z12. Charts created after June 2023 are usually Z8 to Z18 minus Z17. Before June 2023, coastal and island charts are usually Z12, Z15 and Z18. If a single MBTile covers an entire region, it may have Z8, 10, 12, 15, & 18 (or Z8-Z18 minus Z17) and there will be no overview. Some locations may not have all zoom levels. If that is the case, charts usually include the best zoom level available. 
  • Type of Charts  ::  Most chart sets include Bing, Google and ArcGIS satellite imagery as well as Navionics charts. Remember that MBTiles based on vector Navionics charts ARE NO LONGER TRUE VECTOR CHARTS; they are raster MBTiles at various zoom levels. 
  • Chart Groups  ::  We highly recommend reviewing OpenCPN's Chart Group documentation and using chart groups with MBTiles. For example, if you are sailing in Mexico's Sea of Cortez, create four groups: Nav,  ArcGISBingSat and GoogleSat. Put the Sea of Cortez Navionics charts in one group, the Sea of Cortez Bing satellite charts in another, and so forth. Then you can easily switch back and forth between the type of chart you want to view. To switch chart groups, use the 1, 2, 3, etc. keys, or right-click and select Chart Groups. Again, read OpenCPN's Chart Group documentation. It's an incredibly important and cool feature; another proof that OpenCPN is the best charting program out there. Thanks OpenCPN Developers!
  • Folder Organization  ::  Feel free to reorganize your folder structure to allow easier and more logical creation of chart groups. Do what works for you but do keep your charts organized.
  • Quilting  ::  Using these charts in OpenCPN works best with Quilting turned on (Press the 'Q' key).  However, if you do not use chart groups (which you should!), it is often better to have Quilting turned off.  This is really important: Clicking on a chart in the OpenCPN chartbar at the bottom of the screen excludes the chart when quilting is off, and selects the chart when quilting is on. Read that sentence again and make sure you understand it.
  • OpenCPN 5.0 Release Notes about MBTiles   ::  

    OpenCPN treats the MBTile format different from normal raster and vector charts. MBtiles are NOT fully capable and quiltable charts. They are used as switchable overlays. This is seen as the best compromise considering the unknowable zoom composition and accuracy of tilesets loaded from unknown sources. 

    MBTiles are shown as switchable overlays to whatever base chart sets are loaded. In the picture below, the background map is the base-map and the MBTiles is a satpic overlay. There are four charts in the chart-bar. All are MBTiles. Three are of a darker shade with a red "X". One is a lighter shade of violet and represents the visible satpic. Left click on a MBTiles piano key is a visibility toggle shortcut. Same effect as Right-click->"hide" on a piano key. Clicking on one of the darker shade buttons makes that MBTile chart visible. The button changes to a lighter shade and the red "X" disappears.
    (Note: this is only if quilting is OFF.)

    With MBTiles it's advisable to show the charts outline - use the "O" shortcut key. If a chart is not visible, and there is no red "X" on the piano key, zoom in until it's visible. 

    MBTiles use the Web Mercator projection, with possible quite large errors in geo referencing. In real life these large errors are hard to find.
OpenCPN MBTile example
Red X over social media icons

Why No Social Media? No Patreon?

Because social media is harming society and cruising. The incessant monetizing and merchandising of the cruising life detracts from its beauty and community. We appreciate the hundreds of people who helped us learn by simply giving freely of their time and experience.  

Vloggers, stop trying to be famous and just sail already. And please stop cheapening this wonderful life with your false, reality-TV, over-the-top approach; it's cheesy and juvenile. And those who support them, there are so many more worthwhile causes. Really.

Migration anchored in North Minerva Reef
Credits

Charts and website created by Bruce Balan & Alene D. Rice of s/v Migration

Support

Sorry, but I can't offer OpenCPN support. Please use OpenCPN's built-in help file and/or visit  the OpenCPN Forum for help setting up and using the program. However, if you find a problem with any of the charts (missed area, mislabeled file, etc.), or incorrect information on this website, we really want to know as we strive for accuracy.

Contact

Email:
thechartlocker [at] gmail.com
(Use for conversations about Chart Locker charts ONLY... please read SUPPORT [look left] for help with OpenCPN.)

We may be at sea and away from an internet connection so replies may be delayed.