3549 - Queen Charlotte Strait - Western Portion Nautical Chart

The Pacific Gateway: 3549 - Queen Charlotte Strait (Western Portion)

Navigate the wild and technical transition where the Inside Passage meets the open sea with the professional authority of the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS). Chart 3549 is the definitive 1:40,000 scale "road map" for mariners, providing the high-resolution data required for safe passage through the western reaches of Queen Charlotte Strait and the technical Goletas Channel.

Precision for Coastal Bar Crossings and Premier Diving

The western portion of the strait is famous for its challenging sea states and spectacular marine biodiversity. CHS Chart 3549 provides the "ground-truth" data required for safe pilotage in this high-energy environment:

• Goletas Channel & Nahwitti Bar: Offers the detailed bathymetry and shoreline configuration necessary for timing the crossing of Nahwitti Bar, a region known for dangerous breaking seas when heavy swells meet strong ebb tides.

• God's Pocket Marine Provincial Park: Includes high-detail mapping for Browning Pass, Hurst Island, and Bell Island, providing the precision needed for divers and eco-tourism operators visiting these world-renowned cold-water sites.

• Strategic Passage Navigation: Detailed data for Christie Passage, Bate Passage, and Shadwell Passage, ensuring safe leads for vessels transiting between the strait and the open waters of Queen Charlotte Sound.

• Essential Shoreline Data: Explicitly marks submerged hazards, kelp beds, and navigational aids around Hope Island and Nigei Island, vital for both commercial fishing fleets and recreational cruisers.

The Professional Standard for North Island Transit

As the final link for vessels heading toward the Scott Islands or crossing to the Central Coast, the reliability of Chart 3549 is paramount. Whether you are a professional pilot managing the western approaches to Port Hardy or a recreational explorer seeking the rugged beauty of the outer islands, this official CHS chart delivers the accuracy and detail needed to navigate with total confidence.