It’s summer, which, for coastal folk, means that time spent on boats is increasing. Every knowledgeable sea captain, river navigator, kayaker, yachtswoman, or Huckleberry Finn-hopeful should be aware of the tides. Tidal information is important for swimmers who may be wary of strong currents, as well as fishermen, judging when best to plunge the waters for the catch. Whether you use tidal charts for commercial purposes, or simply to figure out when to take out the old canoe, here are a few helpful apps to get you sea-bound.
Tide Table is a free app from Tudormobile that is in sync with the National Oceanic (News - Alert) and Atmospheric Administration’s predictions for the tides and currents. The app was upgraded in June of this year to include more accurate tidal data, offline support, and performance. With a fairly simple navigational interface, the app is useful for just about anybody inquiring after tidal information.
TideApp is available for iPhone and Android (News - Alert) and displays current tide conditions as well as future ones so you can plan trips that take you out on extensive aquatic adventures. With tidal data for 4,364 ports, users can save favorite ports, and see charts through 2029.
XTide is software that provides a visual of the progression and height of tides. While pretty basic in its display, the information is simple and easy to read.
Surf Guru takes a different approach for those who like to ride the waves with just a board as a barrier. With current weather conditions, current NOAA data, tides, wide and swell forecasts, and a “Daily Surf Report,” surfers have all they need to predict a good day at the beach.
Marine Weather also includes buoy data, sea surface temperatures, as well as tide tables. Information provided by the app, which is primarily available for Android-based devices. Excellent for boaters, this app is free and assists in predicting sea-worthy ventures.