How ancient sailors navigated
Coasts, stars, winds, waves, birds, depth soundings and accumulated route knowledge all contributed to early navigation.
Read the guideNavigation
How sailors found direction and position at sea
Navigation combines observation, calculation and experience. Explore environmental wayfinding, dead reckoning, celestial methods and the instruments that gradually improved a mariner's ability to determine position.
Celestial latitude simulator
See why the altitude of Polaris gives a useful approximation of latitude in the Northern Hemisphere.
Try the simulatorLongitude at sea
Learn why east-west position required astronomical tables, precise instruments and eventually reliable marine timekeeping.
Understand longitudeNavigation technology
Follow the roles of the compass, lead line, log line, astrolabe, sextant, chronometer, radio, radar and satellites.
Explore the instrumentsPolynesian wayfinding
Learn how Pacific navigators combine stars, swells, wind, birds and other environmental cues.
Explore wayfinding