The best source of tidal current information for
San Juan Islands, S. Strait of Georgia, and E. Juan de Fuca Strait

Canadian Current Atlas Published by the Canadian Hydrographic Office. 8.5" x 11", coil bound, 212 pages. This is a one time publication, used for all years. $29.95   ...item# 1806

This book presents pages of current maps, with each page representing a specific hour of the current cycle. Graphs like those shown below are presented for the regions shown. The intended way that you decide which page applies to which chart, is to use the Tide height at Atkinson Point on the mouth of the Fraser River approaching Vancouver (available online or in separate Canadian publications), which you then compare to curves like those shown below. The curve then tells you which page in the Current Atlas applies. There is, however, a far better way to do this, and that requires a separate annual publication called the Washburne's Tables. This document simply tells you which page to turn to for each hour of the year. It makes the use of the Atlas very much faster and more precise as he uses tested algorithms to be sure you are in the right cycle. The value of the Washburne's Tables is clear from the fact that they have been in use continually for more than 20 years. Again, the Washburne Tables are an annual publication, the Canadian Current Atlas is a one time purchase. See Washburne's Tables. A practical note. Keep in mind that these data are computer model output, not current-gauge data like those used to seed the actual Current Tables. They are ideal for figuring routes and estimating transit times throughout the regions covered. There is no better way to do that. But if you care to know the precise times and speeds at a specific narrow pass, it is best to refer to the government (US or Canada) Current Tables themselves, which are online or available at numerous outlets. You can get good estimates of peak times and speeds for channels and narrow passes from these pages, but for precise values at narrow constrictions it is best to check the primary data. For currents in Puget Sound, see Puget Sound Tidal Current Charts. Use of current charts underway