# Buoys: Live Ocean Data — Buoy data at a glance

> Live ocean buoy data and swell conditions displayed on your lock screen. (iPhone/iPad app by Erik Savage.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/buoys-live-ocean-data/id6756240428 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Erik Savage](https://appshunter.io/developer/1859448851)
- Category: Weather
- Price: Free
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 2 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 18.0 · 3 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2026-03-11
- Data updated: 2026-07-17
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/buoys-live-ocean-data/id6756240428/reviews.md

## What is Buoys?

Buoys puts live ocean conditions on your lock screen with a compact widget. Check the swell at a glance without unlocking your phone.

Get real-time swell conditions from any NOAA buoy station, updated automatically throughout the day.

Perfect for surfers, anglers, boaters, and anyone who needs to real-time ocean conditions.

FEATURES

- Create a list of your favorite buoys and see conditions for each
- Explore the map of over 1,300 buoys globally
- Add buoys to Favorites from the map, or by station ID (find IDs at ndbc.noaa.gov)
- View metrics including wave height, swell height, swell period, swell direction, and water temperature
- Add the lock screen widget to view live data for the 1st buoy in your Favorites
- Tap on one of your favorite buoys to see metrics over the last 24 hours
- Data sourced directly from NOAA's National Data Buoy Center

GETTING STARTED

1. Open Buoys and add at least one buoy to Favorites (by ID or from the Map). Order the list so your preferred widget buoy is first.
2. To add the widget: long press the lock screen and tap "Customize", or go to Settings > Wallpaper > Customize
3. Tap "Add Widgets" and search for Buoys
4. Select the widget and that's it! The widget shows data for the first buoy in your Favorites

## Key features

- Lock screen widget for live swell data
- Real-time swell conditions from NOAA buoys
- Favorite buoy list
- Global map of active stations
- Wave height, period, and direction metrics
- Water temperature data


## Frequently asked questions about Buoys

### What ocean data does Buoys provide?

Buoys provides real-time data including significant wave height, swell height, swell period, swell direction, mean wave direction, and water temperature from NOAA buoy stations.

### How often is the buoy data updated?

The data is updated automatically throughout the day, ensuring you have the most current ocean conditions available.

### Can I see data from buoys anywhere in the world?

Yes, Buoys allows you to choose from over 1,400 buoy stations globally and displays a map of active stations.

### How do I add a buoy to my favorites in Buoys?

You can add buoys to your Favorites list either by searching for them on the map or by entering their station ID, which can be found at ndbc.noaa.gov.

### Does Buoys have ads?

No, Buoys does not contain advertisements, providing an uninterrupted experience.

### What devices is Buoys compatible with?

Buoys is available for iPhone and iPad devices.

### What is the age rating for Buoys?

Buoys has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users.

### How does the lock screen widget work in Buoys?

The lock screen widget displays live swell data for the first buoy listed in your Favorites. You can customize your lock screen to add the Buoys widget.

## Version history (last 4 releases)

### 1.3.0 — 2026-07-01

New feature: The Buoy Details screen. See how conditions change over time by tapping on a buoy in your list. Includes the last 24 hours of data. Thanks for using Buoys!

### 1.2.0 — 2026-06-07

Thanks for using Buoys! New in this update: Minor bug fixes and improvements.

### 1.1 — 2026-03-18

Thanks for using Buoys! New in this update:
• Favorites: Add and track multiple buoys in one place; your first favorite powers the lock screen widget
• Map: Browse every available station on the map and add buoys to Favorites with a tap
• New readings: Mean wave direction and water temperature (when available)

### 1.0 — 2026-03-11

No release notes.

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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 2026-07-17.*