About BayCharts

BayCharts is a free, fast nautical chart of the Chesapeake Bay that runs in your browser and installs like an app. It exists because checking a depth, a mark or a tide shouldn't require a $100 app or a chartplotter at the helm.

Who makes it

BayCharts is created and maintained by Dave Maher, a Chesapeake Bay sailor. It is the sister site of StormTracking.com, a live tropical and winter storm tracker.

Where the data comes from

• Charts: NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC), rendered live from NOAA's chart display service — depths shown in feet at MLLW
• Tides & currents: NOAA CO-OPS official predictions
• Base maps: OpenStreetMap and Esri satellite imagery
• Marks overlay: OpenSeaMap

Get Bay updates

Occasional email when meaningful features land — new layers, new tools, nothing chatty.

The fine print

BayCharts is a planning and situational-awareness tool, not for navigation. Chart data can lag official updates and rendering can differ from official products. Always use official charts and publications, and cross-check anything that matters.