Chart

"Chart" is the nautical term for what is referred to on land as a map. It is one of the basic tools for navigation. A chart shows the water depth and may show the topography of the shore line. It will also show aids to navigation, land marks, beaches, bottom conditions, shipping channels, launch ramps, and land-side services such as gas stations, Coast Guard stations and cultural features (churches, radio towers, bridges and so on). Cultural features can be used for position determination through a compass bearing fix. Coastal kayakers will also make use of information on tidal streams.

There is no substitute for a chart. A street map does not show the details available on a good chart. A chart features things like compass roses and isogonic lines, distance scales, latitude and longitude lines, and pertinent notes. It is not enough to simply have one, you should also know how to read a chart - see Fundamentals Of Kayak Navigation. In some countries, Chart Number 1 is a special publication - it is a book containing all chart symbols in use and their meanings. You should get a copy of Chart 1 for reference.

There are online chart sources. One source is from the NOAA itself. From this site (http://mapfinder.nos.noaa.gov/) you can download reduced resolution charts good enough for planning. Other sources can be found on the web.