Welcome to BoatRoutes
BoatRoutes is a marine navigation platform built for cruisers, sailors, and powerboaters exploring the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia. We combine NOAA chart and prediction data with OpenStreetMap coastline data and modern route planning to help you make better decisions on the water.
What BoatRoutes Does
Section titled “What BoatRoutes Does”Route planning with real environmental data. Rather than just drawing lines on a chart, BoatRoutes calculates routes that account for distances, travel times at your boat speed, and the tidal currents you will encounter along the way.
Up to three route variants for most pairs of locations. Choose between Direct (shortest distance), Protected (favoring calmer waters and lee shores), and Scenic routes to match your priorities for any given passage.
Tide and current overlays. See predicted tide heights and tidal current speeds along your route for any departure time. Understand whether currents will help or hinder your passage before you leave the dock.
Slack water timing for narrow passages. Critical passes like Deception Pass, Active Pass, and Dodd Narrows require careful timing. BoatRoutes shows you when slack water occurs so you can plan your departure accordingly.
Multi-stop trip planning. Build complete cruising itineraries with multiple stops, and see distances and timing for each leg.
Coverage Area
Section titled “Coverage Area”BoatRoutes currently covers:
- Washington State — Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the waters of the Pacific coast
- British Columbia — the Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound, the Sunshine Coast, and the waters around Vancouver Island
We are continuously expanding our coverage. See Where We Cover for details.
Next Steps
Section titled “Next Steps”- Plan Your First Route — a step-by-step walkthrough
- Understanding Route Details — learn to read the route detail page
- Where We Cover — see our full coverage area