The Eight Best Boating Apps of 2024 – Marine Navigation Just Got Easier

If you are an avid boater, you should be excited about the wide range of boating, fishing, and navigation apps that have become available on the market recently. The right technology can make your life much easier when you are out on the water without compromising the enjoyment of an old-fashioned boating experience.

However, having so many options to choose from can complicate things when you want an app that is suited to your needs as a navigator or angler. It is difficult to tell which app will provide the tools you need as a sailor.

That is why this article has compiled a comprehensive list of the best apps on the market in each of the three main categories of sailing – fishing, boating, and navigation. By the time you finish reading, you will have a better idea about the perfect app for you. Read on to find out more.

What Is a Boating, Fishing, or Marine Navigation App?

A boating app (sometimes called a fishing or navigation app, depending on the activity) is a type of software that is designed to make nautical navigation easier. It can be installed on your phone so that you can always have all the information you need, no matter where you go.

The days of relying on a sketchy weather forecast on the radio are long gone. In 2024, a subscription to the right weather app will give you real-time updates on weather, tides, and currents to help you with your route planning.

Below is a comprehensive list of some of the most popular boating apps in 2024:

General Boating Apps

General boating apps provide a wide range of features that are designed to enhance the user’s boating experience.

Ramp Assist

One of the first hurdles that boaters need to navigate, and one that can be quite challenging for beginners, is launching and retrieving boats.

Ramp Assist is easy to use and takes the stress out of the experience. It also makes the use of a boat ramp a lot more efficient. The following are some of the features you can look forward to using:

• Trailering assist
• Weather and tide monitoring
• Ramp traffic, details, and locator

Waterway Guide Marinas

Any boater who values simplicity will love the Waterway Guide Marinas boating app. It is designed to provide you with all the information that you need to find the perfect marina to dock your boat so that you can focus on the pleasure of sailing without any lingering worries.

All the information you need will be available at your fingertips thanks to the following features:

• Marina contact information and amenities search
• Fuel prices
• GPS tools
• User reviews
• Marine Directory of the US

Sea Tow

With the Sea Tow boating app, adventurous boaters can rely on updated weather and tide data while they signal for help. Anything can happen while boating, so you never know when you will need a quick tow out of danger.

The app was developed by Sea Tow Services International to provide peace of mind to those who like to push their vessels to the limit. It comes with the following features:

• Membership benefits
• Navigation tools
• Tide and weather reports
• GPS tracking
• 24/7 towing assistance

BoatUS

When the Boat Owners Association of the United States developed the BoatUS app, one of the main concerns was surrounding the safety of seafarers. It is designed to keep its users feeling safe and connected by making it easier to call for help when it is needed.

BoatUS has the following features to offer:

• BoatUS membership
• Trip planning
• GPS location
• Tide and weather reports
• 24/7 towing assistance

Marine Navigation Apps

Marine navigation apps are more about making it easier to find your way around unfamiliar coastal areas. Two of the best apps in this category are Navionics and Argo.

Navionics

Considered by many sailors to be one of the best marine navigation apps for boaters, Navionics can enhance your boating experience with its user-friendly interface and detailed nautical charts. With Navionics, boating has never been easier.

Whether you are a fisherman looking for new fishing grounds or you just want to explore uncharted territories away from the inland hustle and bustle, Navionics can assist. It comes packed with great features, such as:

• Weather and tide predictions
• Compatible with Chartplotter
• Real-time social network updates
• Customizable map display
• Dock-to-dock routing
• Sonarchart™: High-Definition Bathymetry Maps

Argo

With Argo at the helm, you will never have to worry about getting lost ever again. It has a vibrant community of boat enthusiasts that you can count on whenever you are traversing the seas. Argo’s awesome satellite allows you to explore new places with ease.

The app also comes with the following:

• Automatic logbook
• Real-time tide and weather forecast
• Community sharing
• Navigation and routing

Fishing Apps

It’s rare to find a fishing app that has features that you can actually use. More often than not, they come with features such as an anchor alarm or alert that you do not need when it comes to fishing.

Fishbrain

The last app on this list, Fishbrain, can boast over 14 million verified catches. That is amazing, especially considering that the app is free. It is ideal for helping anglers find fresh fishing grounds with an abundance of fish, which sounds simple but is something many different apps have failed to achieve.

Fishbrain owes its success to the following features:

• Weather, tides, and fishing forecasts
• AI-powered fish species recognition
• Ability to connect with other boaters
• Catch log
• Detailed aqua-maps

Navigation Is a Breeze With the Right Boating App

Do you feel like having some fun out at sea but don’t have a boat? Why not rent one from Tierra Verde Boat Rentals, located near St. Petersburg, Florida?

You can grab a boat, get your hands on a boating app or fishing app today, and enjoy a boating experience unlike any other. Great boat rentals in Florida.