Any surfer knows that all you need to get started is a board and some good waves. However, in a modern world, we can reap the benefits that come along with technological advancements and use them to make us better at sports – In this case, surfing.
There are quite a few different types of surfing apps out there, each with its own unique design and solution to some of the problems that come along with being a regular surfer.
For example, some surfing apps can help you predict the size of upcoming waves, as well as providing you with current data regarding the tides in your location.
But with so many different surfing apps out there on the Play Store and App Store, it can be difficult to know which ones deserve precious space on your home screen and which ones will just take up storage and hardly ever get used. Well, that’s where we come in!
In this article, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the very best surfing apps available for download on your smartphone right now. There’s options for both beginners and expert surfers alike. Let’s dive in!
Magic Seaweed Surf Forecast
First up has to be the Magic Seaweed Surf Forecast App, often referred to as “MSW.” This app is a must-have for any regular surfer and it works by providing in-depth surf forecasts for lots of different locations all over the world.
When you use MSW to obtain a forecast, you won’t just receive a regular weather forecast.
Instead, you’ll be given a comprehensive page of information including the MSW star rating, the height of the current waves, the current swell height, and direction of the surf as well as the air and water temperatures.
You can get the MSW app on both Apple and Android devices and can be found on both the App Store as well as the Play Store. Once downloaded, you’ll receive access to the staggering 150+ live surf cameras situated all over the world.
Additionally, you’ll be able to obtain live buoy and wind data, so that you’ll never get caught unaware of potential dangers.
We like that MSW also updates their servers regularly with real-time surf reports from their unique network of reliable reporters. MSW have even thrown in their handy list of best surf spots which comes along with surf-specific photo galleries.
To indicate whether the winds are favourable or unfavourable, MSW uses a 1-5 star scoring method with color-coded wind speed and direction of red, orange, and green.
This app is completely free to download, so any person on any budget can reap the benefits. However, MSW does offer in-app purchases which includes a paid unlimited membership option which gives you access to extended forecasts and charts, as well as ridding you of those pesky advertisements.
Get it here: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/msw-surf-forecast/id322103952
My Tide Times – Tables and Chart
Next up is this tidal information app from My Tide Times. We couldn’t make a list of the best surfing apps without including this one, as it’s one of the most highly rated surfing apps on the entire app store!
According to the creators, it is the only tidal time application you’ll ever possibly need. It’s great for surfers in particular, but it can also come in handy for fishing trips, too.
Even if you plan on just heading to the beach for a paddle, My Tide Times can be used to keep you safe and prepared for just about anything.
Once downloaded, the My Tide Times app gives you access to information from over 9,000 tidal stations all over the world- 40 countries to be specific, including the United States, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.
As soon as you open the app, it cleverly uses your current location to work out tide predictions in real time, no matter where you are in the world. You can also check out sunrise and sunset time information for any location.
The forecasts provided by this app range from 5 to 7 days, but some surfing spots include predictions for up to the next 30 days!
We like that you can even use this app without an internet connection. Provided you’ve pre-loaded your forecast in advance, you can access it at any time even when not connected to the internet, making it perfect for those off-the-beaten-track surfing trips.
This app is completely free and doesn’t try to tempt you with in-app purchases. However, it’s important to note that this app is only available on the App Store, which means it’s only suitable for iPhones and iPads.
Get it here: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/my-tide-times-tables-chart/id777280890
PredictWind – Marine Forecasts
Next up is another forecasting app, but this one comes with a few added features that we think are worth mentioning. The makers of this app pride themselves on creating the most accurate forecasts for surfers and making them available in the highest resolution.
The app allows you to easily navigate through wind, swell, rain, cloud, air, and sea temperatures. You can view this data in three different ways, depending on your personal preference. These include tables, maps, as well as charts.
We like how much detail this app provides without making it too complicated and easy to read.
For example, when you first open the app your current location will be used to display a color-coded forecast map onto your screen, taking away the hassle of having to search up the forecast for a specific location.
We also love their Departure Planner feature, which allows users to calculate the best time of day to leave your house and head to the surf. However, it’s important to note that this feature, as well as a couple of others, are regarded as premium features and won’t come with the regular free version of the app.
Get it here: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/predictwind-marine-forecasts/id477048487
Dorsal Shark Reports
For those that may have a fear of sharks most valuable surfing apps out there is the Dorsal app. It was first popularized in Australia, as a way to keep beach-goers safe from possible shark attacks. It works by providing alerts that empower local communities as well as individuals to work together to stay informed and therefore make better beach-related decisions, as well as surfing decisions.
Read next – What to do if a shark approaches you while surfing
It all began just a couple of years ago, but now it’s been downloaded over half a million times by people all over the world!
Unfortunately, this app is only useful for those who live in certain parts of the world. Dorsal covers the whole of Australia, Hawaii, Reunion Island, and the entirety of mainland USA.
As long as you live in one of these areas, it’s simple to switch between them as you please. We like that each region has its own advanced alerting system as well as a user-friendly reporting platform.
If you spot a shark and want to warn others, it’s easier than ever to create a shark report through the app, and it can be completed in under a minute! You can also enhance your report with extra information such as coordinates and pictures, if necessary.
If you want to check a particular location for past shark sightings before hitting the surf, it’s easy to do so thanks to the list or map view option. You can even set the app to show activity from only the last day, week, or month. This helps the user to make their own informed decision about whether or not to risk surfing in a certain spot.
Get it here: https://apps.apple.com/au/app/dorsal-shark-reports/id1045887929
NobodySurf – Surfing Videos
On those days when the weather is a little too unpredictable to hit the surf, watching surfing videos can often be the next best thing! Thanks to the NobodySurf app, watching the very best surfing videos has never been easier.
We like that they’re all in one place, meaning you’ll no longer have to search specifically for surfing videos on other video-sharing apps such as YouTube. The app provides access to a staggering number of surfing videos (over 10,000!) as well as full-length surfing movies.
We like that they’ve separated their video selection into easy to understand drop-down lists to filter your search results. You can choose between longboard and shortboard, small waves and large waves, and even men, women, and children.
You can cast the videos to an external device such as a television with the help of Chromecast or a FireStick.
If you watch a video you love and wish to find out more about it, NobodySurf provides extensive information about each video including the surfing location, who the surfer is, who filmed the video, the background music, and any other relevant information.
It also makes it super easy to export videos and share them with friends and family or even straight to your social media profile.
Get it here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nobodysurf-surfing-videos/id1146730002