3542 - Bute Inlet Nautical Chart

The Wilderness Authority: 3542 - Bute Inlet

Explore the rugged majesty of the Coast Mountain fjords with the professional authority of the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS). Chart 3542 is the essential 1:40,000 scale "road map" for mariners, providing the critical detail required to navigate the 80 km length of Bute Inlet, from its mouth near Stuart Island to the glacial waters of the far north.

Precision for Deep-Water Fjords and Tidal Rapids

Bute Inlet is world-renowned for its turquoise glacial water, vertical granite walls, and powerful tidal currents. CHS Chart 3542 provides the "ground-truth" data required for safe pilotage in this remote wilderness:

• High-Resolution Fjord Mapping: Features the 1:40,000 detail necessary to navigate the deep, narrow waters of the inlet, where mountains rise over 9,000 feet directly from the sea.

• Tidal Rapid Approaches: Includes critical data for the approaches to the Arran Rapids, one of the fastest and most turbulent tidal passages on the BC coast.

• Essential Estuary Data: Provides detailed bathymetry for the head of the inlet at Waddington Harbour, where the Homathko and Southgate Rivers create extensive mudflats and shifting shoals.

• Hazard & Weather Awareness: Explicitly marks submerged hazards and navigational aids, vital for mariners dealing with the region’s notorious "Bute Winds"—powerful inflow and outflow gusts unique to this mountainous corridor.

The Professional Standard for Remote Coastal Safety

With the growth of eco-tourism and industrial logging in the Homalco First Nation traditional territory, the reliability of Chart 3542 is paramount. Whether you are a professional pilot guiding a commercial vessel or a recreational explorer seeking the pristine beauty of Homathko Estuary Provincial Park, this official CHS chart delivers the accuracy and detail needed to navigate with total confidence.