3853 - Cape St James to Cumshewa Inlet & Tasu Sound Nautical Chart

The Archipelago Overview: 3853 - Cape St. James to Cumshewa Inlet & Tasu Sound

Navigate the diverse and powerful waters of southern Haida Gwaii with the professional authority of the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS). Chart 3853 is an essential 1:150,000 scale coastal overview, providing mariners with the wide-area situational awareness required to transit the rugged shores of Moresby Island, from the historic Cape St. James up to Cumshewa Inlet and across to the deep-water fjords of Tasu Sound.

Strategic Coverage for Haida Gwaii Explorers

As a general-scale coastal chart, 3853 serves as the primary planning tool for vessels entering the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve. It bridges both sides of the island chain, offering vital data for:

• Dual-Coast Navigation: Provides a continuous view of the eastern (Hecate Strait) and western (Pacific) shorelines, essential for planning passages around the turbulent southern tip of the archipelago.

• Tasu Sound & West Coast Approaches: Features the critical bathymetry needed for approaching Tasu Sound, one of the few significant harbors of refuge on the rugged west coast of Moresby Island.

• East Coast & Gwaii Haanas: Detailed coverage for the approaches to Cumshewa Inlet, Laskeek Bay, and the intricate island groups that define the protected inner waters of the park.

• Safety & Hazard Intelligence: Explicitly identifies offshore dangers, sea bottom characteristics (rock, sand, or mud), and navigational aids across a massive geographic area, ensuring safe transit through high-current zones like Cape St. James.

The Professional Standard for Remote Marine Safety

Whether you are a commercial fisher, a long-range cruiser, or a research vessel, the reliability of Chart 3853 is vital. Specifically designed to meet the rigorous requirements of marine navigation, this official CHS chart delivers the broad perspective needed to navigate the wild heart of Haida Gwaii with total confidence.