18/03/2026
The Garmin ActiveCaptain app is made for mariners who want an easy-to-use, powerful navigation tool that enhances a connected boating experience.
Users can access nautical charts and maps on their smartphone and compatible Garmin chartplotter to better plan their adventure โ and take charge of their boat from nearly anywhere.
Let's tackle some common new-user ActiveCaptain questions:
--
๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฑ๐ผ ๐ ๐ด๐ฒ๐ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฝ?
Insert a dedicated ActiveCaptain SD card into your chartplotter and connect the ActiveCaptain app to your chartplotter through Wi-Fi connectivity.
Then, pair with a Bluetooth connection to receive smart notifications on your chartplotter.
ActiveCaptain can wirelessly keep a vessel updated with the latest charts, software and more
--
๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ ๐๐๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐บ๐ ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐?
To download your charts, zoom into an area of interest, and any purchased charts will appear. If you zoom in on an area you donโt have a chart for, youโll be shown charts that are available for purchase.
With a purchase of Garmin Navionics+ or Garmin Navionics Vision+ mapping, youโll have access to 1 year of updates. You can manage your subscription in the ActiveCaptain app by navigating to My Charts.
Once youโve set up the app, you can access your charts on your mobile device and wirelessly update your chartplotter via the OneChartโข feature. Access your charts and plan routes from anywhere, no matter if youโre at home or on the water.
--
๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ ๐ฝ๐น๐ฎ๐ป ๐บ๐ ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฝ๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฎ๐ฝ๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป?
When youโve downloaded Garmin Navionics+ charts to your mobile device or chartplotter, use Auto Guidance+ technology to receive a suggested path to a desired location.
Using your preferred depth and overhead clearance, as well as chart data and frequently traveled routes, Auto Guidance+ calculates a path through channels, inlets and more. The suggested route is easy to edit if you want to add a stop along the way or make additional adjustments.
When manually creating a route, plot waypoints along your desired route in the app โ then sync the route from the app to your chartplotter to navigate with ease.
ActiveCaptain data is automatically synced when the app is connected to a compatible Garmin chartplotter. This allows you to edit routes and waypoints in the ActiveCaptain app or your chartplotter for a seamless experience.
--
๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฒ๐
๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ผ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฎ๐ฝ๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐?
See photos, read reviews and share information about marinas, hazards and points of interest when you join the ActiveCaptain Community through the ActiveCaptain app.
When paired with your chartplotter, this community information is available straight from your display, allowing you to plan better for any trip or excursion.
The Quickdraw Contours feature helps you create your own custom maps with contours and depth labels from the transducer onboard. When you take part in the free Garmin Quickdraw Community, you can download a community chart with input from other boaters.
Depth data coming from numerous sources can influence the detail on the fishing maps for everyoneโs benefit.
To share contours to the Quickdraw community from ActiveCaptain, sync your plotter with the ActiveCaptain app and enable the โcontribute to communityโ toggle. Your depth contributions will automatically be shared with other users.
--
๐๐ฎ๐ป ๐ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐บ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ ๐บ๐ผ๐ป๐ถ๐๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐น ๐บ๐ ๐ฏ๐ผ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฎ๐ฝ๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป?
Integrated connectivity through the Garmin OnDeck system allows users to control various boat switches from virtually anywhere.
Pairing the ActiveCap app with the hub lets users track boat movement and monitor a boatโs battery power, bilge activity, shore power and more through smartphone alerts, and control critical switches onboard.
