Garmin Marine Handheld GPS Units

• Marine Handheld GPS
• Garmin Marine Handhelds
• Garmin GPSMAP H1i Plus
• Garmin GPSMAP 86i
• Garmin GPSMAP 79s
• Garmin GPSMAP 67i
• Garmin GPS 73
• Garmin inReach
• Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus
• Garmin inReach Mini 3
• Garmin inReach Mini 2 Marine Bundle
• Garmin inReach Mini 2
• Garmin inReach Messenger
• Useful links
• Compare Marine Handhelds
• Marine GPS
• Marine Chartplotters
• Fishfinders with GPS
• Garmin Marine Charts
• Garmin Accessories

Navigate on the water with a Garmin marine handheld GPS device - view marine charts on a device that fits in the palm of your hand. If you want to guard against dropping your GPS overboard, choose a device that floats on water - such as the Garmin GPSMAP 86i or the Garmin GPSMAP 79s. Both are waterproof and fully buoyant. Colour screens are available across the range, with greyscale screens on entry-level models such as the Garmin GPS 73. You can also buy handheld GPS devices for outdoor use from ActiveGPS.

See the buying guide below or call 01733 777623 (Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 5:00pm) for expert advice on choosing the right marine handheld GPS.

Deliveries

We offer UK, Europe and Worldwide deliveries. We despatch orders at 4:30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. We need to receive your order on those days by 3:00pm. When possible we may despatch orders received after that time. No orders are despatched on Saturday, Sunday or Bank Holidays in England and Wales.

We offer FREE UK delivery on all orders of £50.00 or more, plus next working day and guaranteed Saturday delivery options. Click here for further info. All options also appear at the basket pages.

Marine Handheld GPS Buying Guide

Please note that when adding Garmin BlueCharts to a marine handheld device you cannot add g3 Vision versions (only g3). If you want to use g3 Vision versions of BlueCharts (which include Auto Guidance) you will need to buy and use a dedicated chartplotter rather than a marine handheld device.

Do I Need a Floating Marine Handheld GPS?

If you're using a handheld GPS on an open boat, RIB, kayak, or sailing dinghy, a floating, waterproof device is strongly recommended. The Garmin GPSMAP 86i and Garmin GPSMAP 79s are both buoyant and waterproof to IPX7 standard, meaning they can be submerged to 1 metre for up to 30 minutes. Fixed chartplotters are not designed to float - so for any situation where dropping your device overboard is a risk, a marine handheld is the safer choice.

Colour Screen vs Greyscale Screen

Most current Garmin marine handhelds feature a colour display, which makes reading charts and sonar data significantly easier in bright sunlight and at a glance. Entry-level models such as the Garmin GPS 73 use a greyscale screen and are a cost-effective option if you primarily need basic GPS navigation without chart detail.

Preloaded Maps & Chart Compatibility

Garmin marine handhelds do not come preloaded with BlueChart maps - a BlueChart g3 map card is required and purchased separately. A wide range of BlueChart g3 titles are available covering UK, European, and worldwide waters. Remember: marine handhelds support BlueChart g3 only - not g3 Vision. If you require g3 Vision with Auto Guidance, you will need a dedicated chartplotter.

Marine Handheld GPS as a Backup Navigator

Even if your vessel has a fixed chartplotter at the helm, carrying a marine handheld GPS as a backup is strongly advisable. If your main electronics fail at sea, a charged handheld with preloaded charts could be essential to your safety. The Garmin GPSMAP 86i runs on AA batteries as well as USB charging - meaning it remains usable even if your boat's power fails.

Need Help Choosing?

Call us on 01733 777623 (Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 5:00pm) and one of our team will help you choose the right marine handheld GPS for your vessel and how you use it. Alternatively, browse our FAQs for answers to common questions.

Why Buy from ActiveGPS?

We are official authorised Garmin Internet Retailers, offering genuine Garmin products, accessories, and maps. All our stock is purchased directly from assigned Garmin UK distributors - we do not source from the grey market and never sell counterfeit products.

When you buy from ActiveGPS.co.uk, you can be confident that you’ll receive full Garmin support and the peace of mind that comes with purchasing authentic, reliable products.

This page was last updated on: 16th September 2026