Top 10 apps to have on your smartphone while boating

In today’s technology-dominated world, smartphones have revolutionized the way we live, simplifying everyday activities that were once unthinkable.
And this digital revolution does not even spare the sea.
Even in boating, in fact, smartphones and tablets have become useful (and in some cases indispensable) tools for navigating safely, enjoying one’s outings at sea to the fullest and improving comfort on board.
From real-time weather forecasts to direct contact with ports around the world, via comprehensive navigation tools and even astronomical guides: boating apps offer a range of possibilities (all in one place, the smartphone) that were once unthinkable.

Why use apps on the boat?

The benefits of using boating apps are many.
Let’s start with the most popular apps, the weather apps, which allow you to monitor sea and wind conditions in real time, so that you can plan your boating trips consciously and be better prepared for any eventualities.
Other very useful and popular apps are those that provide information on the nearest ports, the services they offer and free berths, allowing you to sail with greater peace of mind.
You can also find some of them among the bay anchorage tips from page 66.
Then there are the navigation apps, which offer detailed nautical charts, route planning tools, and advanced features that can work alongside and even replace on-board electronics.
Mind you, these apps only work fully when connected to the network, but you don’t always need an Internet connection to use their functions.
In fact, many apps allow offline downloading of maps, enabling consultation and main functions even when there is no signal.
Finally, let’s enter the boundless universe of leisure apps, those that turn the smartphone or tablet into a true entertainment center for the boat.
With these apps you can listen to music, watch movies or TV series, read books and magazines, play games, and even learn new things.

The boats around you

Marine Traffic is a very useful application that shows the real-time positions of ships and yachts around the world.
The data comes from AIS receivers and covers more than 100,000 vessels, ports and ship routes.

Marine Traffic

Have fun and learn

This is the perfect app for learning (and getting kids and adults to learn) how to dock.
Dock your boat 3D is a very accurate simulator with which to train yourself to do mooring maneuvers in the harbor, with boats of various sizes!

Dock your boat 3D

Book with a tap

If you are on vacation and looking for a port or anchorage to moor at, you need to download Seasy.
The app allows you to search and book a berth directly from the app in the many ports and buoy fields in the database.

Seasy

Fisherman’s summer

Fishermen from around the Mediterranean (and beyond), download Fishing Points!
You will join a community of more than 9 million fishermen that is very useful for analyzing how tides, moon phases, marine forecasts, solunar and weather forecasts affect the movements and presence of fish in different areas.

Fishing Points

Music for all

The best known of the apps, probably after WhatsApp, is definitely Spotify.
If you are not yet familiar with it, it is an app that allows you to listen to almost any music in the world through a subscription.

Spotify

Surfers also use it

Among the most popular apps for viewing data on weather, wind, currents and swells is Windy.com.
Also used by surfers to find spots with perfect wave heights

Windy.com

Easy license

If you are taking (or updating) your boating license, download Nautica Quiz to keep you practiced during boating vacations.
Also useful and fun for introducing newcomers to boating.

Nautical Quiz

Like ocean sailors

Have fun with the Virtual Regatta racing simulator, downloadable to your smartphone in both Inshore and Offshore versions to test your qualities at the helm of a racing superboat!

Virtual Regatta

View all races

Among the thousands of video streaming apps that allow you to watch movies and TV series, this year you cannot miss downloading RaiPlay. Why? Because there are Olympics in Paris (and Marseille, for sailing) with hundreds of races to follow!

RaiPlay

Secondary screen

Looking for a secondary screen to the onboard chartplotter?
To always know how fast and at what angle you are moving?
Maybe to download to an old smartphone to keep on board at all times?
Here’s Boatspeed for you.

Boatspeed