The best boat navigation apps for routes, tides, and forecasts

Thanks to modern technology, we’ve mastered the ability to access any source of information via our phones. However, you may not be aware of the wave of boat navigation apps that have emerged in recent years. With these marine navigation apps at our disposal, our time on the water has never been safer, more concise, or more connected than it is now.

But how do you go about finding the most valuable apps amongst the crowd? We’ve got you covered. We’ve done the hard work and narrowed down the best in boating and sailing apps so you’re never more than a touch away from the best knowledge and must-have functionality.

The 7 best marine navigation apps

1. Savvy Navvy

Price: £45- £89

Savvy Navvy is a boating app that aims to simplify navigation for all boat owners. Downloading the app will save you time consulting charts and tables, allowing you to spend more time sailing. You can also view local tide data from 8,000 stations around the world. Not only that, but Savvy Navvy also features route planning, weather forecasts, and GPS active tracking.

2. MarineTraffic

Price: FREE (with in-app purchases)

Marine Traffic is the Google Maps of the sea. Never leave home before you’ve checked their live boating traffic map. Discover all port arrivals and departures for over 4,000 ports and marinas in real-time. Marine Traffic is free to download and offers a variety of in-app purchases, including visualisation of global shipping patterns by vessel type, starting at £4.75 per month, billed annually.

3. Windfinder

Price: FREE (with in-app purchases)

Perfect for all sailors and wave enthusiasts alike, Windfinder is a must-have app for you adventure seekers across the globe. Packed full of features which predict weather forecasts to ensure you never set sail during turbulent weather conditions. Windfinder’s features don’t end there; you’ll also receive a notification for prime wind conditions. Be notified with the perfect condition directly to your phone today!

4. Animated Knots

Price: £4.99

Don’t get yourself tied in a knot if your nautical knowledge isn’t where it needs to be. While not strictly a boat navigation app, Animated Knots can undoubtedly help you with learning to navigate your own boat. The Animated Knots app is an interactive and efficient way to learn how to tie knots of all types, making it especially relevant for sailing enthusiasts. From Anchor Hitches to Carrick Bends and just about every knot in between, Animated Knots is a simple, hands-on way to learn and practise your knots for a no-hassle day at sea.

5. Windy: Wind and metro forecast

Price: FREE (with in-app purchases)

With this useful marine app, you’ll never have to second-guess the weather again, as you’ll be up to speed with all things weather and wave forecasts, as well as wind alerts.
Just as convenient for windsurfers and sailors as it is for other recreational water sport lovers, Windy is jam-packed with features, including weather history archives, a convenient offline mode for when you’re out of data range, and nautical maps and charts.

6. Tides Chart

Price: FREE (with in-app purchases)

You might have guessed already - but Tides Chart does what it says on the tin. This app provides you with in-depth data on what to expect from the tides in your local area. Don't get caught out on a dropping tide; look to the Tides Chart to help you plan and navigate towards those calmer waves. Not only that, but this app can also provide you with weather forecasts and optimal fishing hours.

7. Navily

Price: FREE (with in-app purchases)

Last on our list of the best boat navigation apps is Navily. If searching for the perfect berth is a source of stress for you, Navily may be the boating app you need. With over 11,000 anchorages, 4,200 marinas and 300,000 users’ journeys and experiences to browse through, Navily is the perfect way to sail without stress. Carry the best of berthing knowledge and real people’s ratings right in the palm of your hand. Let’s not forget its built-in community feature, which allows you to connect with other boating enthusiasts and access over 60,000 real reviews. Navily is the go-to app for smooth, stress-free berthing.

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