Planning & Enroute Guides

Sailing Directions, both "Planning" and "Enroute" guides, are published by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) under the authority of the Department of Defense. These are best thought of as Coast Pilots for non-U.S. waters.

"Sailing Directions (Planning Guides)"

Additionally they provide information on individual countries whose borders are adjacent to that ocean basin. Information about electronic navigation systems, recommended routes, traffic separation schemes, pilotage requirements, vessel traffic services (VTS), buoyage systems, prohibited areas, weather, currency, government, holidays, industries, languages, territorial waters, restricted areas, time zones, US Embassies and other pertinent subjects and dangers.

Sailing Directions (Planning Guide) Pub. #120

Pacific Ocean and Southeast Asia

This guide is used in conjunction with Sailing Directions (Enroute) Pub. #’s 125, 126, 127, 153, 154, 155, 157, 158, 159, 161, 162, 163, and 164.
Sailing Directions Pacific Ocean & S.E. Asia (2018) - Download.

Sailing Directions (Planning Guide) Pub. #140

The North Atlantic Ocean and Adjacent Seas

This guide is used in conjunction with Sailing Directions (Enroute) Pub. #’s 131, 132, 141, 142, 143, 145, 146, 147, 148, 191, 192, 193, 194, and 195.
Sailing Directions N. Atlantic Ocean, Baltic, North & Mediterranean Seas (2019) - Download.

Sailing Directions (Planning Guide) Pub. #180

Arctic Ocean

This guide is used in conjunction with Sailing Directions (Enroute) Pub. #’s 181, 182, and 183.
Sailing Directions Arctic Ocean (2020) - Download.

Sailing Directions (Planning Guide & Enroute) Pub. #200

Antarctica

Sailing Directions Antarctica (2020) - Download.

"Sailing Directions (Enroute Guides)"

Enroute Downloads