# Ocean Pulse — NOAA buoy data, artfully. > Visualizes NOAA buoy data as an artful, real-time ocean conditions map. (iPhone/iPad app by Sean O'Brien.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ocean-pulse/id6759033100 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Sean O'Brien](https://appshunter.io/developer/1876459716) - Category: Weather - Price: Free (on sale, was $4.99) - Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings · 1 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 13.0 · 21 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2026-02-28 - Data updated: 2026-06-04 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ocean-pulse/id6759033100/reviews.md ## What is Ocean Pulse? Ocean Pulse — a different way to check the surf. Ocean Pulse transforms real-time NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) buoy data into a living, glowing map. Each buoy pulses with light — color shows swell direction, pulse speed matches wave period, and brightness reveals wave height.  At a glance, you understand the ocean's current state without reading a single number, just like checking the surf from the shore. Featuring 170+ buoys from Alaska to the Caribbean, Ocean Pulse covers the Pacific, Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Hawaii. Tap any buoy for detailed conditions including wave height, period, direction, and water temperature. Save your favorite buoys for quick access. Search by name, ID, or region. Explore the color compass to learn the visual language of the ocean. Want to know one of my favorite ways to experience Ocean Pulse?...I love to dock it on my desk charger in landscape mode, with the whole beautiful ocean is always right there alive next to me! Ocean Pulse is the digital companion to my physical Ocean Pulse light sculptures — real-time ocean data, transformed into art (more about Ocean Pulse sculptures at www.seanobriendesigns.com). Ocean Pulse Origins I designed and built my first Ocean Pulse sculpture in 2011 after moving from the coast of California — where I could walk to check the surf every day — to Berlin, Germany, where the ocean was hundreds of miles away. I was always checking Surfline trying to stay connected, but I hated going online every time just to maintain my connection to the surf. I wanted to somehow have the "pulse" of the ocean in my living environment, always with me. I was craving the surf check ritual, coffee in hand, no matter where I lived in the world. With no coding skills, my brother and my dad helped write the code for the first sculpture — LED lights that visualize wave period, direction, and height in real time. A close friend helped me refine it. Today, Ocean Pulse sculptures live in many homes, keeping ocean-minded souls connected to the rhythms of the sea. With the advent of AI and my unrelenting curiosity about it, I was finally able to create this app — something I had wanted to build for a long time. While I love the Ocean Pulse sculptures and think everyone should have one in their homes, I know they're expensive. This app is my way of making the thing I love available to many more ocean-minded souls for the price of a cup of coffee. I hope you enjoy it, and I hope to refine it over time to make it even better for you.  This is truly a labor of love. Share a review and tell me what you think! ## Key features - Real-time NOAA buoy data visualization - Color-coded swell direction - Pulse speed indicates wave period - Brightness shows wave height - Detailed buoy condition reports - Save favorite buoys - Search buoys by name, ID, or region ## Recent user reviews (1 of 1) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ocean-pulse/id6759033100/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Art and Function in one. *2026-03-01* So cool to just stare at all the buoys even. ## Frequently asked questions about Ocean Pulse ### What is Ocean Pulse? Ocean Pulse is a weather application that transforms real-time NOAA buoy data into a visual, artful map. It uses color, pulse speed, and brightness to represent ocean conditions like swell direction, wave period, and wave height. ### Does Ocean Pulse have ads? No, Ocean Pulse is ad-free. The application is designed to provide a clean and uninterrupted experience for users to visualize ocean data. ### What devices does Ocean Pulse support? Ocean Pulse is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It is designed to be accessible across various Apple mobile devices. ### How often is Ocean Pulse updated? The latest version of Ocean Pulse is 1.0.1, and it was last updated on March 10, 2026. This indicates a commitment to ongoing refinement and improvements. ### What is the age rating for Ocean Pulse? Ocean Pulse has an age rating of 4+. This suggests it is suitable for a wide audience, including younger users, due to its visual and non-complex nature. ### Can I see detailed buoy information in Ocean Pulse? Yes, you can tap on any buoy within Ocean Pulse to view detailed conditions. This includes information such as wave height, period, direction, and water temperature. ### How does Ocean Pulse compare to traditional weather apps? Unlike traditional weather apps that rely on numerical data, Ocean Pulse offers an artistic and intuitive visual representation of ocean conditions. It aims to provide an 'at a glance' understanding of the surf. ### Is Ocean Pulse free to use? Yes, Ocean Pulse is available for free. The developer aims to make this visualization of ocean data accessible to many users. ## Version history (last 2 releases) ### 1.0.1 — 2026-03-10 - Added more buoys for expanded coverage - Tap the tide station name to view the full source data on the web - Fixed an issue where tide data would not update for your location - Corrected buoy names and locations for improved accuracy - Fixed an issue where some buoys would not display data ### 1.0 — 2026-02-28 No release notes. --- *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 2026-06-04.*