05/24/2026
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 — and take charge of their boat from nearly anywhere.
Let's tackle some common new-user ActiveCaptain questions:
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𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝗜 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽?
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
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𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀?
To download your charts, zoom into an area of interest, and any purchased charts will appear. If you zoom in on an area you don’t have a chart for, you’ll be shown charts that are available for purchase.
With a purchase of Garmin Navionics+ or Garmin Navionics Vision+ mapping, you’ll have access to 1 year of updates. You can manage your subscription in the ActiveCaptain app by navigating to My Charts.
Once you’ve set up the app, you can access your charts on your mobile device and wirelessly update your chartplotter via the OneChart™ feature. Access your charts and plan routes from anywhere, no matter if you’re at home or on the water.
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𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻?
When you’ve 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 — 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.
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𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘀?
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 everyone’s benefit.
To share contours to the Quickdraw community from ActiveCaptain, sync your plotter with the ActiveCaptain app and enable the “contribute to community” toggle. Your depth contributions will automatically be shared with other users.
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𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹 𝗺𝘆 𝗯𝗼𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻?
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 boat’s battery power, bilge activity, shore power and more through smartphone alerts, and control critical switches onboard.
