Overview

The Garmin BlueChart g3 Vision HD is a premium electronic chart for the VCA018R region (Inside and Outside Passage) used on compatible Garmin chartplotters. It combines detailed coastal cartography with tools like Depth Range Shading (up to 10 depth ranges) and up to 1-foot contours, so you can read bottom structure and depth transitions without constantly zooming and panning.

This coverage focuses on the Inside and Outside Passages around Vancouver Island, including areas such as the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Johnstone Strait, Strait of Georgia, Queen Charlotte Strait, Quatsino Sound, and the San Juan Islands. It also includes key ports and approaches for places like Vancouver, Victoria, Sidney, Nanaimo, Port Hardy, and nearby U.S. waters around Port Angeles, Oak Harbor, Anacortes, and Bellingham.

On the water, the value is in how quickly you can cross-check what you see on screen with the shoreline and the harbor around you. The 3D perspectives, satellite imagery overlays, and aerial photos help when you are threading through unfamiliar approaches or trying to match chart details to what is actually off the bow.

Key features

• Integrated Garmin and Navionics content for coastal navigation detail in the VCA018R Inside and Outside Passage area
• Auto Guidance routing that uses your selected depth and overhead clearance to suggest a path (planning tool only)
• Depth Range Shading for up to 10 depth ranges to make your target depths easier to spot at a glance
• Up to 1-foot contours for clearer bottom definition when navigating tight areas or working structure while fishing
• Shallow Water Shading with user-defined depth shading to highlight areas you want to avoid
• MarinerEye and FishEye 3D views for additional perspective above and below the waterline
• High-resolution satellite imagery overlays and aerial photography for more recognizable shorelines, landmarks, ports, and marinas

Variants

This chart is offered in multiple purchase formats for the same VCA018R coverage area.

The difference between options is how you receive and load the chart data, not the mapped region itself.

• 010-C1105-00: Format SD Card.
• Preloaded microSD card with an SD adapter, ready to insert into a compatible chartplotter card slot.
• 010-D1373-00: Format Download.
• Downloaded to an SD card using Garmin Express on a computer, then used in the chartplotter as the chart card.

Compatibility and fit

This is cartography for compatible Garmin chartplotters that support BlueChart g3 Vision charts. Before ordering, confirm your chartplotter supports this chart type and that you have the right card slot available (microSD or SD via adapter), especially if your unit shares the slot with other accessories.

If you are using the download format, plan on having access to a computer running Garmin Express and a suitable SD card for the chart download process.

Installation and setup

For the card format, insert the chart card into the chartplotter and allow the unit a moment to index the chart data. The chart information is accessed from the card, so it needs to remain inserted while you are using this cartography on the water.

For the download format, use Garmin Express on your computer to download the chart to an SD card, then insert that SD card into the chartplotter. Once installed, verify the chart layer is selected on your plotter and set your preferred depth shading and safety depth settings before relying on any suggested routing.

Use on board

This chart is a strong match for boaters running the Inside Passage routes around Vancouver Island, along with anglers and cruisers who want 1-foot contour detail and quick visual checks using 3D views and imagery when approaching harbors. Auto Guidance can help with trip planning, but it does not replace keeping a proper lookout and navigating to conditions in real time.