Chart Sources

High Resolution Background Map

A more detailed version of the built in background GSHHS map is available
See online Owiki See online page Chart Sources

It is a big file, 230 mb(unzipped) compared to the standard 26mb, and may slow your computer down. The presentation is better when zoomed in, but most users don't need it.

Install by unzipping and placing the files in the <data_install_dir>/gshhs. which is normally:

Free Nautical Charts

Get started quickly

Here are three sample raster charts from Puerto Rico:

Right click and use “Save Link As”, or similar.

Just clicking shows you the actual file as a text file (more about that advanced subject here: Imgkap See online Owiki

Don't use these charts for navigation. Download their current versions from NOAA's Web site. Save the charts in a “directory”, also called a “folder”. Install the charts by adding this directory to the Options→Charts→Loaded Charts Tab.

Chart Downloader Plugin

The Chart Downloader Plugin, included with Opencpn 4.2 and above, will help you to download, update and organize almost all free chart sources described below.

Free Chart Sources

Note: The motivation for releasing the East Asia Hydrographic Charts is well worth reading.
Realizing that official and high quality small scale ENCs conforming with the established IHO standard were not available for the SCS, the EAHC MSs decided to cooperate closely and resolve the situation so that mariners could use most up-to-date chart information for voyage planning and enhancing safety of navigation, rather than resorted to some commercially developed electronic products which were either prepared in proprietary formats, or containing unofficial data with very infrequent updating…
It was the view that if the SCS ENC could be freely and widely available to mariners, it would further enhance the safety of navigation in the region. This in turn could reduce the chances of environmental damage from grounding and oil pollution, which have tremendous cost impact.
The EAHC decided to provide the SCS ENC to users free of charge.

Other Charts

All platforms

Commercial Nautical Charts for OpenCPN

All platforms

Windows only

Links to more chart sources

GE2KAP Tool to Make Chart Overlays