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The best mobile applications for marine navigation
June 19, 2024 Orca Blog

The best mobile applications for maritime navigation

Modern maritime navigation benefits greatly from technological advances, particularly through dedicated mobile applications.

Whether you're an occasional boater or an experienced skipper, these digital tools can transform your experience at sea by making navigation easier, improving access to marine weather information, or making your outings safer. 

Today, Orca Retail brings you a guide to the best apps available to help you navigate safely and efficiently. 

For each mobile app, find a summary of features, a video presentation, their ratings on the iphone and android stores, as well as mobile download links!

 

Best mobile apps for navigation and mapping

Navionics Boating (iOS, Android) - Free with in-app purchases

Navionics is one of the most popular and comprehensive marine navigation apps in the world, and is developed by the Garmin brand well known for its GPS. 

It offers detailed, up-to-date nautical charts for lakes, rivers and seas around the world.

Features include advanced route planning, real-time weather and alerts, customisable points of interest, map downloads for offline use, NMEA instrument support and augmented reality functionality.

Navionics offers monthly or annual subscriptions to access premium features, such as 3D nautical charts, bathymetric (seabed) maps and advanced fishing tools.

 

iNavX (iOS, Android) - Free with in-app purchases

iNavX is an advanced marine navigation app designed for experienced boaters.

It allows you to import and overlay nautical charts, satellite images and other geospatial information.

Features include accurate navigation with route and routing tools, detailed weather alerts, creation of custom waypoints and routes, support for NMEA instruments (the National Marine Electronics Association standard for on-board electrical devices) and a collaborative route planning function.

iNavX is particularly appreciated by navigators who use complex routes or who need precise navigation for professional reasons.

 

Best mobile apps for marine weather

Windy (iOS, Android) - Free with in-app purchases

Windy stands out for its hyper-local and detailed weather forecasts, which are particularly useful for navigators.

The app offers interactive maps displaying wind, waves, currents, temperature, atmospheric pressure and precipitation. You can also track weather patterns in real time and receive alerts for dangerous weather conditions.

Windy is an essential tool for planning your trips at sea in complete safety.

 

SeaWeather (iOS & Android) - Free with in-app purchases

SeaWeather is a comprehensive marine weather app that provides detailed forecasts for sailors.

It displays wind, waves, water temperature, atmospheric pressure and rainfall.

SeaWeather tracks multiple locations and offers weather alerts to keep you informed of sudden changes in conditions.

The app is particularly useful for boaters sailing in areas prone to bad weather.

 

PredictWind (iOS, Android) - Paid subscription

PredictWind is a marine weather forecasting app designed specifically for sailing.

It offers advanced weather models, routing and navigation tools, information on tides and currents, and performance forecasts for sailboats.

PredictWind is particularly popular with professional sailors and keen sailing enthusiasts.

 

Best mobile apps for safety at sea

MarineTraffic (iOS, Android) - Free with premium subscription available

The app displays real-time vessel position, planned route, speed, vessel type and historical movement information.

MarineTraffic is particularly useful for navigators operating in areas with heavy maritime traffic, enabling them to anticipate the movements of other vessels and avoid collisions.

AnchorWatch (iOS, Android) - Free with in-app purchases

AnchorWatch is an app designed to monitor your anchor position and alert you if you drift.

This feature is essential for safety, as it prevents you from drifting and colliding with other boats or hitting underwater obstacles.

 

Conclusion

The mobile apps for maritime navigation offer a variety of indispensable tools for modern seafarers.

Whether you're looking to improve your route planning, monitor the weather in real time, stay connected with other sailors or ensure your safety at sea, there's an app to suit your needs! 

By using these apps, you can not only improve your navigation but also maximise your enjoyment and safety at sea.

Explore the possibilities offered by these digital tools and make the most of every outing on a RIB or sailboat.

 

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