The Chart Locker

for MBTiles

A free resource for cruising sailors
Download chart files in MBTile format for 
use with OpenCPN 5.x and other charting programs.

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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 tiles at 22 preset zoom levels.

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

PLEASE DON'T SHARE
THE LINKS IN THE TABLES BELOW

Only share 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.

‘Nuff said.

What's New

As of 12 January 2023
Added complete set of charts for the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

As of 10 November 2022
Added link to Making a Case to Disconnect Cruising World article and
Terry's Topics Newsletter in Other Resources section

As of 29 October 2022
Tuamotus Navionics MBTiles added back after accidentally removed in September

As of 22 September 2022
Tuamotu_Passes.GPX in French Polynesia section. Indicates pass/no pass/etc.
with color-coded waypoints for all 76 atolls. To be used as a layer in OpenCPN

MEXICO HIGH RESOLUTION DRONE-MAPPED CHARTS
Link in Mexico section to s/v Perspective's High-Res Drone-Mapped Charts of Mexican anchorages

COMPLETE SITE CHANGE LOG
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READ THIS NOW

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

The MBTile Chart Locker

Read HOW TO USE THESE FILES below, and view the

World map showing charted regions

Interactive Chart Finder

You can see all the charts available using this map. 

Index of Countries & Island Groups

American Samoa :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Austral Islands :: FRENCH POLYNESIA
Bahamas:: ATLANTIC
Bermuda :: ATLANTIC
Beveridge Reef :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Clipperton Island :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Cocos Island :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Cook Islands  :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Costa Rica - Pacific Coast :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Dominican Republic :: ATLANTIC
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
Honduras - Pacific Coast :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Kiribati :: TROPICAL NORTH PACIFIC
Marquesas :: FRENCH POLYNESIA
Marshall Islands :: TROPICAL NORTH PACIFIC

Mexico – Pacific Coast :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Mexico – Sea of Cortez :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Micronesia :: TROPICAL NORTH PACIFIC
Minerva Reefs :: SOUTH PACIFIC
New Caledonia :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Nicaragua – Pacific Coast :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Niue :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Pacific Ocean :: PACIFIC OVERVIEWS
Palau :: TROPICAL NORTH PACIFIC
Panama – Pac Coast & Canal :: MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA
Pitcairn Islands  :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Rapa Nui (Easter Island) :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Samoa :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Society Islands :: FRENCH POLYNESIA
Solomon Islands :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Tokelau :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Tonga :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Tuamotus :: FRENCH POLYNESIA
Tuvalu :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Vanuatu :: SOUTH PACIFIC
Wallis and Futuna :: SOUTH PACIFIC

PACIFIC OVERVIEWS

Zoom levels 8, 10 & 12

 Choose one of the two sets:
Tropical Pacific - Approximately 30N to 30 S -- includes Java Sea and SE Asia
South Pacific Popular Routes - Covers the main island groups usually visited (smaller size than Tropical Pacific).

Excellent for planning. No need to use overviews
of individual island groups when using these.

Use only the section you need: East, West, or Combined.

View thumbnails 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 - Combined
Roughly 30 N to 30 S
42,384,186,377
(2.22 GB)		Jan 2022Z8, 10 & 12: ArcGIS, BingSat,
GoogleSat & Navionics
 View coverage maps
PACIFICTropical Pacific - East
Roughly 30 N to 30 S
East of 180 ONLY		41,004,060,350
(957.55 MB)		Jan 2022Z8, 10 & 12: ArcGIS, BingSat,
GoogleSat & Navionics
View coverage maps
PACIFICTropical Pacific - West
Roughly 30 N to 30 S
West of 180 ONLY		41,379,944,382
(1.29 GB)		Jan 2022Z8, 10 & 12: ArcGIS, BingSat,
GoogleSat & Navionics
View coverage maps
PACIFICSouth Pacific - Combined
Popular Routes
41,245,210,362
(1.16 GB)		Jan 2022Z8, 10 & 12: ArcGIS, BingSat,
GoogleSat & Navionics
View coverage maps
PACIFICSouth Pacific - East
Popular Routes
East of 180 ONLY		4723,777,126 
(690.25 MB)		Jan 2022Z8, 10 & 12: ArcGIS, BingSat,
GoogleSat & Navionics
View coverage maps
PACIFICSouth Pacific - West
Popular Routes
West of 180 ONLY		4521,250,602
(497.10 MB)		Jan 2022Z8, 10 & 12: ArcGIS, BingSat,
GoogleSat & Navionics
View coverage maps

MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA

Click the link in the 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/RegionArea# of ChartsZip File Size (bytes)Date CreatedDescription of
Charts
MEXICO
Overview
(Use with the detailed charts below.
Not necessary if installing a Pacific Overview.)		310,116,254
(9.6 MB)		January 2022San Diego to Guatemalan Border
including Islas Revillagigedo, Isla Guadalupe, & Rocas Alijos
Z8, 10:  Navionics, BingSat & GoogleSat
MEXICOMainland - Pacific Coast; North & South
67,010,648,560
(6.52 GB)		August 2021
North: Mazatlán to Zihuatanejo (includes Isla Isabela & Islas Marias)
South: Zihuatanejo to Guatemalan Border
Z12, 15, 18: Navionics, BingSat, & GoogleSat
MEXICOBaja - Pacific Coast37,586,515,863 
(7.06 GB)		August 2021San Diego to Cabo San Lucas (includes Isla Guadalupe & Rocas Alijos)
Z12, 15, 18: Navionics, BingSat, & GoogleSat
MEXICOSea of Cortez - Bing Satellite

Sea of Cortez - Google Satellite

Sea of Cortez - Navionics

3

3

3		10,423,529,130
(9.7 GB)
4,742,875,272 
(4.4 GB)
597,788,719 
(570 MB)

August
2021		3 files in each zip: Northwest,
Southwest, & East
Dividing line between Northwest and Southwest is at Bahia Concepción.
Z12, 15, 18: Navionics, BingSat*, & GoogleSat
*Bing Satellite tends to provide better images than Google Satellite in Mexico.

MEXICO

Islas Revillagigedo
(and Clipperton Island)		3127,766,248
(121 MB)		August 2021Z8, 10, 12, 15, 18
Navionics, BingSat, & GoogleSat
(No satellite images of Roca Partida)

MEXICO

Drone-Mapped High Resolution Anchorage Charts
MBTiles created by s/v Perspective
s/v Perspective's website
Z19 or 20
Created by drone mapping

CENTRAL AMERICA

Mexican Border to Columbian Border
(including Panama Canal, Cocos Island, & Islas de Las Perlas)
38,682,915,447 
(8.1 GB)		August 2021
Z8, 10, 12, 15, 18
Navionics, BingSat, & GoogleSat

FRENCH POLYNESIA

Click the link in the 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 Islands4--
(1.23 GB)		Jan 2022Z8, 10, 12, 15, 18 Navionics, Bing Sat,
Google Sat, & ArcGIS
(Z14 is the best available zoom level for
some islands when using Bing Sat)
FRENCH POLYNESIAMarquesas4--
(822.9 MB)		Jan 2022Z8, 10, 12, 15, 18 Navionics, Bing Sat,
Google Sat, & ArcGIS.
FRENCH POLYNESIAAustrals4

--
(273.16 MB)		Jan 2022

Z8, 10, 12, 15, 18 Navionics, Bing Sat,
Google Sat, & ArcGIS
FRENCH POLYNESIATuamotus - ArcGIS1--
(2.57 GB)		Jan 2022Z8, 10, 12, 15, 18 ArcGIS
FRENCH POLYNESIATuamotus - Bing Satellite1--
(1.37 GB)		Jan 2022Z8, 10, 12, 15, 18 Bing Sat
FRENCH POLYNESIATuamotus - Google Satellite1--
(2.06 GB)		Jan 2022Z8, 10, 12, 15, 18 Google Sat
FRENCH POLYNESIATuamotus - Navionics1--
(293 MB)		Jan 2022Z8, 10, 12, 15, 18 Navionics
FRENCH POLYNESIATuamotus Passes - GPX Layer
Version 1		152 KBSept 2022GPX file to add as a 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

Click the link in the 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.

RegionCountry# of ChartsSize (bytes)Date CreatedDescription
SOUTH PACIFICCook Islands6367,023
(358 MB)		Mar 2021Z8, 10 Overview
Z12, 15, 18 Navionics, BingSat & GoogleSat
NOTE: Best Bing Sat resolution is
only Z14 on some islands.
SOUTH PACIFICFiji - ArcGIS

Fiji - Bing Satellite

Fiji - Google Satellite

Fiji - Navionics 		1

1

1

1		6,325,709,737
(5.89 GB)
--
(6.25 GB)
--
(3.02 MB)
--
(642.96 MB)		Jan 2022

Feb 2022

Sept 2021

Sept 2021		Z8, 10, 12, 15, 18
(no overview needed)


SOUTH PACIFICNew Caledonia  -  ArcGIS
New Caledonia - BingSat
New Caledonia - GoogleSat
New Caledonia - Navionics		1

1

1

1
5,489,480,237 
(5.11 GB)
3,454,197,746
(3.22 GB)
3,348,582,683
(3.12 GB)
787,535,678
(751.05 MB)
ArcGIS Sept 2022
Others Feb 2022		Z12, 15, 18
(Use with a Pacific Overview)
SOUTH PACIFICPitcairn Islands688,762,048
(89 MB)		Nov 2019Z8, 10, 12 Overview
Z15, 18 All 4 islands - Navionics,
Bing Satellite, & Google Satellite
SOUTH PACIFICRapa Nui (Easter Island)3233,307,725
(233 MB)		Oct 2019Z8, 10, 12, 15, 18 Navionics,
Bing Satellite, & Google Satellite
SOUTH PACIFICSamoa & American Samoa31,916,693
(1.83 GB)		Mar 2021Z8, 10, 12, 15, 18 Navionics,
Bing Satellite, & Google Satellite
SOUTH PACIFICSolomon Islands - ArcGIS
Solomon Islands - BingSat
Solomon Islands - Google Sat
Solomon Islands - Navionics
2

2

2

2		4,275,887,956
(3.98 GB)
5,057,960,441
(4.71 GB)
2,957,534,885
(2.75 GB)
614,738,450
(586.26 MB)		Mar 2022Z8, 10, 12 Overview
Z15, 18 Detail
SOUTH PACIFICTokelau
3
111,234
(108 MB)
Mar 2021Z8, 10, 12, 15, 18 Navionics,
Bing Satellite, & Google Satellite
SOUTH PACIFICTonga, Niue, and Minerva
& Beveridge Reefs		62,202,525,471
(2.05 GB)		Jan 2021Z8, 10 Overview
Z12, 15, 18 Navionics, Bing Satellite, & Google Satellite
NOTE: No satellite charts for South Minerva and Beveridge Reefs.
SOUTH PACIFICTuvalu
81,349,202,794
(1.26 GB)		Jan 2022Z10 Overview
Z12, 15, 18 ArcGIS, Bing Sat, & Google Sat
Z12, 15, 17 Navionics
(Provided by Pakia Tea)
SOUTH PACIFICVanuatu
3--
(4.69 GB)		Aug 2021Z8, 10, 12, 15, 18 Bing Satellite, Google Satellite & Navionics
SOUTH PACIFICWallis and Futuna3158,429
(155 MB)		Mar 2021Z8, 10, 12, 15, 18 Bing Satellite, Google Satellite & Navionics

TROPICAL NORTH PACIFIC

Click the link in the 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.

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)

ATLANTIC

Click the link in the 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.

RegionCountry# of ChartsSize (bytes)Date CreatedDescription
ATLANTICBermuda3404,465
(405 KB)		May 2021Z8 & Z18 Navionics, Bing Satellite,
& Google Satellite
ATLANTICBahamas North36,002,785,684
(5.59 GB)		April 2022Beta files: Use with caution.
Grand Bahama & Great Abaco
ArcGIS, Bing Satellite, Navionics
Z8 10 12 15 18
ATLANTICBahamas  South
Bing Satellite
Bahamas South
Navionics
1

1
12,077,903,301
(11.2 GB)
1,211,017,427 
(1.13 GB)		April 2022Beta files: Use with caution.
All areas except Bahamas North
Z8 10 12 15 18
ATLANTICDominican Republic
DR ArcGIS
DR Bing Satellite
DR Google Satellite
DR Navionics
1
1
1
1
1,473,355,715 (1.37 GB)
1,972,492,240 (1.84 GB)
1,787,400,021 (1.66 GB)
225,876,359 (251 KB)		Jan 2023Beta files: Use with caution.
Z8 10 12 15 18 with some Z14 where 
Z15 isn't supported and Z17 where
Z18 isn't supported
ATLANTICPanama - San Blas

4368,259,072 (351 KB)

Feb 2023Beta files: Use with caution.
 BingSat, GoogleSat, ArcGIS, Navionics
Z8 10 12 14 15 16 18

OTHER RESOURCES

DescriptionFileDate CreatedCreated by
Rapa Nui Anchoring GuidePDF (788 KB)2008Bruce & Alene - s/v Migration
South Pacific Weather (Latitude 38 article)PDF (525 KB)2011Bruce & Alene - s/v Migration
How To Use These Files Video SeminarMP4 (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
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

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 will not work in OpenCPN 4.x.
  • 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.
  • Overviews  ::  Many 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 are Z8 & Z10, and usually Z12.
    Coastal and island charts are Z15 & Z18, and sometimes Z12. If a single mbtile covers an entire region, it may have Z8, 10, 12, 15, & 18 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. For example, some of the Society Islands only have Z14 with Bing Satellite.
  • Type of Charts  ::  Some zip files contain separate folders containing mbtiles based on Bing, Google or ArcGIS satellite imagery and  Navionics charts. Remember, the mbtiles based on vector Navioncis charts ARE NO LONGER TRUE VECTOR CHARTS; they are raster mbtiles at various zoom levels. 
  • 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 to use. For example, if you are sailing in Mexico, don't include charts for French Polynesia.  Never include your entire "Charts" folder!
  • Chart Groups  ::  We highly recommend reviewing OpenCPN's Chart Group documentation and using chart groups with MBTiles. For example, if you are sailing in the Sea of Cortez, create three groups: Nav,  BingSat, and GoogleSat. Put the Sea of Cortez Navionics charts in one group, the Sea of Cortez Bing satellite charts in another, and the Google satellite charts in another. 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 a 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. 
  • Quilting  ::  Sometimes using these charts in OpenCPN works best with  Quilting turned off (Press the 'Q' key).  This is especially true if you are not limiting the active charts by using chart groups (which I do not recommend). Experiment to see what works best for you. 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 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, no OpenCPN support offered. Try the OpenCPN Forum. 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 Bruce at
thechartlocker [at] gmail.com

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

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