# Bristol Maps — BristolMap

> Commercial fishing navigation app with satellite imagery, tide, and weather data. (iPhone/iPad app by Chris Hager.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bristol-maps/id1608263684 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Chris Hager](https://appshunter.io/developer/1449874913)
- Category: Navigation, Business
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.00/5 from 14 App Store ratings · 2 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 13.0 · 75 MB
- Released: 2023-05-07
- Data updated: 2026-09-01
- Monetization: subscription
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bristol-maps/id1608263684/reviews.md

## What is Bristol Maps?

Bristol Maps is designed specifically for commercial fishermen to navigate using the latest satellite imagery. Currently serving Bristol Bay and Copper River watersheds. Say goodbye to outdated maps and inaccurate information - our app utilizes the latest, detailed images for increased efficiency, safer fishing trips, and a higher return on investment.

As a fisherman like you, I've always used NOAA charts for the Bay. Given how fast the environment changes, these are at best, unreliable and at worst, dangerous.
For this I developed Bristol Maps, an app that leverages curated satellite images taken during low tide, displaying the current bar locations, and allows for multiple images to be layered. For areas with multiple images at varying tides, this app allows you to see where there will, or won’t be navigable water. Additionally, these images can be overlayed onto the traditional NOAA charts.

Beyond the core mapping functionality, tide and weather forecasts are also available. Weather can be pinpointed to a location as well as the nearest NOAA zone weather forecast. This information can be combined with the mapping functionality to create digital logs. Location, catch, weather, and tide data can be integrated into a log event. Logs can be overlaid onto the navigation page and analyzed to view catch data by area, gear type (4.75" vs 5"), and weather.

Feature list:
* Private groups for sharing location, custom routes and waypoints.
* Private group chat.
* Satellite overlays available for: Naknek/Kvichak, Egegik, Ugashik, Nushagak, and Copper River. Updated seasonally.
* NOAA overlays available offline for all of Alaska.
* Location grid layouts, organized by color and number, which can replace traditional paper maps or code tables shared by Groups. ie: "I'm over by green 22." A search tool is included to quickly find locations.
* NOAA tide charts available offline for Bristol Bay tide stations. Other locations downloaded as they are used.
* Pinpoint weather forecasts available as well as NOAA zone weather forecasts.
* Boundary lines (with “alarm” functionality), for all major districts are preprogrammed along with the ability to create new boundaries.
* Create Waypoints and Routes. These can also be exported/imported to/from other users to share data.
* Online maps can be streamed with NOAA charts, custom satellite views, a high-res AK Government view, and street view.
* Log entries for recording opener times, district, pictures, sets/deliveries, and automatic tide/weather history.

Bristol Maps has been designed with an intuitive, user friendly interface to solve a common fisherman problem.

Bristol Maps Pricing $200/Year
A one-week free trial is included for testing and includes free cancellation. Subscription includes updates, bug fixes and seasonal imagery additions.

## Key features

- Latest satellite imagery overlays
- Tide and weather forecasts
- Digital logbook for catches
- Private groups for sharing
- Customizable boundary alarms
- Waypoint and route creation

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bristol Maps | $200.00 | per year |


## Chart rankings

- #195 in Top Grossing · Navigation (US App Store)

## Recent user reviews (2 of 2)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bristol-maps/id1608263684/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Update the maps

*2025-06-22*

Great app, but We need updated satellite images for 2025 please

### 3/5 — Stuck in Africa

*2025-06-14*

My location services say I’m in Africa and I can’t figure out how to show I’m in Naknek. Please help.

**Developer response:** Hi Lena, this is very likely on a device that does not have a GPS chip. WiFi only iPads are the typical culprit here. The coast of Africa is the default location while the app waits for a location from the hardware. 

In the future please reach out via support@bristolmaps.com for support vs a review. 
Thanks,
Chris

## Frequently asked questions about Bristol Maps

### What is Bristol Maps?

Bristol Maps is a navigation application designed for commercial fishermen, offering the latest satellite imagery, tide, and weather forecasts to improve efficiency and safety.

### What areas does Bristol Maps cover?

Currently, Bristol Maps serves the Bristol Bay and Copper River watersheds, with satellite overlays available for Naknek/Kvichak, Egegik, Ugashik, Nushagak, and Copper River, updated seasonally.

### How much does Bristol Maps cost?

Bristol Maps is available via subscription for $150 per year, which includes updates, bug fixes, and seasonal imagery additions. A two-week free trial is included.

### Does Bristol Maps offer a free trial?

Yes, Bristol Maps includes a two-week free trial for testing purposes, with free cancellation available during this period.

### Can I share my fishing data with others using Bristol Maps?

Yes, Bristol Maps allows for private groups where users can share locations, custom routes, waypoints, and engage in group chat. Waypoints and routes can also be exported/imported.

### Is Bristol Maps available on Android devices?

Bristol Maps is currently supported on iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices. It is not specified if Android support is available.

### How often is Bristol Maps updated?

The app was last updated on October 13, 2025, indicating regular updates. Subscription includes updates, bug fixes, and seasonal imagery additions.

### What is the user rating for Bristol Maps?

Bristol Maps has a rating of 4.0 stars from 14 ratings, suggesting a generally positive user reception.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.9.1 — 2026-08-25

GPX import and export

Move waypoints, routes and tracks between Bristol Maps and the rest of your electronics.

Open a GPX file from a Garmin, Navionics, OpenCPN or another boat and Bristol Maps shows you what's inside before anything is imported, so you pick what to bring in instead of importing blind. Re-importing a file you exported updates your existing marks instead of creating duplicates — or switch that off to bring them in as copies.

Exporting works the same way. Choose waypoints, routes or your recorded track, and for tracks pick an exact date and time range — or a quick 1h, 6h, 24h or 7d — then share the file straight out of the app.

Gear strings export to GPX for your chartplotter as well. GPX files always come back in as plain waypoints; importing never creates gear.

Find it in Settings → Maps & Data → GPX Import / Export, or from the GPX button on your Waypoints and Routes lists.

Faster NOAA chart downloads

The NOAA chart catalog no longer locks up the download screen while it loads, and it's now cached — opening a region doesn't re-download 52 MB every time.

Better map recommendations

Recommended downloads are now one ranked list, scored against your current position and the season's announcements. Kodiak, Alaska Peninsula and Southeast are matched by location, so they show real recommendations instead of coming up empty.

Fixes and improvements

Imagery area requests now show square nautical miles, matching the rest of the app and the same 1500 sq nm limit used on the website
Processor tabs scroll instead of clipping "Tenders" and "Freight" when several tabs are in use
Current arrows and speed labels appear at closer zoom and draw smaller, so they crowd the chart less

### 4.7.2 — 2026-07-19

Waypoint/route sharing improvements
Waypoint Synchronization

### 4.7.0 — 2026-07-19

New settings page layout
Tide overlay improvements
Distance measurement tool
Bug fixes

### 4.6.5 — 2026-07-18

Improved boundary line management tools

### 4.6.4 — 2026-07-15

Map measurement tool

## Apps similar to Bristol Maps

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [AyeTides](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ayetides/id287316432) | 4.8 (4,857) | $7.99 | Navigation |
| [Tide Graph](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tide-graph/id288420737) | 4.8 (1,552) | $1.99 | Navigation |
| [Earthmate](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/earthmate/id519247758) | 2.7 (271) | Free | Navigation |
| [Nautical Charts & Maps](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nautical-charts-and-maps/id1420774597) | 4.6 (3,780) | $8.99 | Navigation |
| [TZ iBoat – Marine Navigation](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tz-iboat-marine-navigation/id1312769833) | 4.7 (871) | Free | Navigation |
| [Tide Graph Pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tide-graph-pro/id721000562) | 4.8 (3,605) | $5.99 | Navigation |

## More apps by Chris Hager

- [Captain's Almanac](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/captains-almanac/id1449874914)
- [Bristol Fleet](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bristol-fleet/id6746662144)

All apps by Chris Hager: https://appshunter.io/developer/1449874913

## Related topics

[bristol maps](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/bristol-maps)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-01.*