# SEAiq USA

> Marine navigation app with NOAA charts, weather, and navigation tools. (iPhone/iPad app by Sakhalin.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/seaiq-usa/id519545162 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Sakhalin](https://appshunter.io/developer/517213477)
- Category: Navigation
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.70/5 from 500 App Store ratings · 48 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 13.0 · 52 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2012-06-01
- Data updated: 2026-08-25
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/seaiq-usa/id519545162/reviews.md

## What is SEAiq USA?

SEAiq USA is a full-featured marine navigation app.  It automatically downloads all charts (both vector and raster) from NOAA and the US Army Corps of Engineers for regions of USA you select.

Other features include:
* Waypoints
* Routes
* Tracks
* Night color modes
* Anchor alarm
* Automatic download and display of weather (wind & isobar)
* Chart measuring tools (EBL/VRM)
* WiFi-based NMEA and AIS
* Raster charts
* Vector charts

No purchase is required in order to use SEAiq USA to view charts.  All features are enabled during a 7-day evaluation period.  After that, many of the feautures require purchase of an in-app upgrade.

Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life.

## Key features

- NOAA and US Army Corps of Engineers charts
- Waypoints, routes, and tracks
- Night color modes
- Anchor alarm
- Automatic weather download
- Chart measuring tools
- NMEA and AIS support

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Upgrade for Premium Features | $24.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of SEAiq USA?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 📊 Accurate and detailed navigation charts
- 💰 Excellent value for price
- 🆓 Free NOAA chart downloads
- 📱 Works offline after chart download
- 🚢 AIS data integration
- 📍 Easy waypoint and route creation
- 🔄 Seamless chart quilting and management
- ⚓ Anchor monitoring feature
- 📚 Comprehensive in-app documentation
- 🛠️ Responsive developer support
- 🔗 Active Captain integration
- 🌊 Tide and current data options
- 📤 Easy GPX export/import functionality
- 🎯 Intuitive user interface
- 🔌 NMEA 0183 data integration
- 🗺️ Both raster and vector chart support
- 🌙 Night vision-friendly display

**Cons**

- 🐢 Slow performance on older devices
- ❌ No way to delete imported tracks
- ❌ Cannot rename imported tracks
- ⚠️ Discontinued Active Captain data support
- 🔐 Limited free version features
- 📵 Requires current device for responsiveness
- 🔗 Difficulty linking iPad to iPhone GPS
- ⏱️ Slow chart display and panning
- 🔄 Long Active Captain synchronization times

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Chart download failures with error messages
- App incompatibility with iOS 8 updates causing loss of purchase
- Performance degradation on iPad 3 and older devices
- Slow zoom and pan responsiveness
- Active Captain integration not fully functional in free version
- Deceptive Active Captain marker display without content access

**Most requested features**

- Delete and rename imported tracks functionality
- Track export as CSV spreadsheet with date, time, course, speed, location
- International chart support in free version
- Precipitation weather integration
- More prominent waypoint highlighting when route not selected
- Enhanced navigation marker visibility
- Improved iPad-to-iPhone GPS sharing

## Recent user reviews (10 of 48)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/seaiq-usa/id519545162/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Love this app

*2022-11-03*

Have been using it for decades!  Great support!

### 4/5 — No way to delete imported tracks

*2021-10-15*

Seems like there is no way to delete imported tracks. Also wish there was a way to rename them.

### 5/5 — GREAT APP FOR BACK UP NAVIGATION

*2021-03-02*

As a licensed captain this app has save me three different times in the past couple years. I was in some real hairy predicaments and  having plotter trouble, the SEA IQ was a life saver giving me information I needed to navigate safely out of certain predicaments. I highly recommend every captain download the app on their smart phones if you want to feel secure in case your GPS plotter lets you down!

### 5/5 — Our main charting tool

*2020-11-25*

Although we have a full electronics suite in our trawler, when cruising , our primary charting tool is SEAiq on an iPad. The updated charts with the AIS target overlay are invaluable to us and we found this program to be one of the best bangs for the buck!

### 5/5 — Paper Charts

*2020-10-22*

I have SEAiq USA on two iPad Pro 12.9” devices, one primary one backup.  I supplement them with a chartplotter.  I do not carry paper charts, which are out-of-date the moment ink hits paper.

I can hear the “gotta have paper” crowd howling, but for the last several years of a career flying a 400,000 pound jet all over the U.S., in the cockpit for charts were two off-the-shelf iPads, one for the captain, one for the first officer.  We also had two moving maps that are roughly analogous to a chartplotter.  So if you’re a paper purist, don’t get on a commercial jet.  There will be no paper.

### 4/5 — Track feature

*2020-08-11*

Track should show date, time, course, speed and location and easily exported as .csv spreadsheet file.

### 5/5 — Great tool

*2020-02-10*

Amazing g Ap!

### 5/5 — Ok, but no longer supports new Active Captain data.

*2019-01-21*

I have used Seaiq for several years as my iPad backup to the boats chartplotter. It does a good job at that and I like its raster chart capability.

But they no longer support new Active Captain data and if you had not used Seaiq with the old AC then you cant download any AC data. So I am now mostly using Aqua Map.

David

### 5/5 — OUTSTANDING APP!!

*2018-05-07*

Michael,

Just downloaded the 7-day trial with Premium and absolutely amazed at how much great info it has even for us non boaters (currently).

Keep up the GREAT app / updates / upgrades. Suggesting this app to my boating friends as we speak ;)

Tom

### 5/5 — A LOT of function and value

*2017-09-27*

I've looked at various iOS charting apps to find one that leveraged the information available on my boat network - speed, heading, COG, depth, etc.  I never found anything that really met my needs.

I went back and found an app I had liked and rejected a year or so ago: SEAiq Pilot. There was a lot to like about the app but I'd be danged if I was going to spend $400 on an iOS app.

However... I discovered I was confused by how they sell their apps. There are really 3 different versions available:
* SEAiq Pilot is intended for use by professional pilots on big ships. It has a lot of features focused on that market such as showing separate course vectors for the bow and stern, showing the swept path of the vessel, showing a trial Rate of Turn, and tons of stuff I don't understand. $400
* SEAiq USA is the 'recreational' version of the program. It has 80%-90% of the functionality of Pilot. It can download and display NOAA and Army Corp of Engineer charts (vector and raster). $25
* SEAiq Open is the same as SEAiq USA but adds the ability to install S-63 as well as charts from PRIMAR and ChartWorld. $50

As a recreational boater my take on this is: $25 if you need the US Govt charts; $50 if you want to buy and load international charts.

So what did I get for my $25? The things that are important to me:
* Integrated, free downloads of NOAA charts
* Management and quilting of both vector and raster charts
* Decent WP and route creation (and no auto-route)
* Very nice route export/import/backup via GPX files
* Export of WPs to my MFDs via WPL sentences
* Very nice import/export/backup of the app configuration via files
* Excellent NMEA 0183 handling including diagnostic displays of sentences received, data, and errors
* Excellent handling and display of AIS data. AIS data is much more useful to me in this app than on my MFDs.

Nice to haves include:
* Tide and current options (several options, free and paid)
* Download and display of GRIB data
* Active Captain integration
* Various alarms
* A very cool anchor monitor

Also include with the app is the most detailed documentation I've seen in a product of this kind. The doc is available from within the app even when the app isn't connected to the internet. Maybe this is old-school but I view it s a huge positive.

I've dealt with their support on a few questions and received some of the best answers--quick, complete and informative.

I'll also note the apps are updated in the app store every few weeks. Again this appears to me to be a 'professional grade' offering with serious ongoing development.

## Frequently asked questions about SEAiq USA

### What does SEAiq USA do?

SEAiq USA is a comprehensive marine navigation application that provides access to detailed charts from NOAA and the US Army Corps of Engineers for selected regions in the USA. It offers a suite of navigation tools to assist boaters and mariners.

### What are the key features of SEAiq USA?

Key features include automatic download and display of vector and raster charts, waypoint and route management, track recording, night color modes, an anchor alarm, automatic weather overlays, chart measuring tools, and WiFi-based NMEA and AIS data integration.

### How much does SEAiq USA cost?

The app offers a 7-day evaluation period where all features are enabled without purchase. After this period, many of the advanced features require the purchase of an in-app upgrade to continue using them.

### What devices is SEAiq USA compatible with?

While specific compatibility details are not provided in the description, it is a mobile application, implying compatibility with smartphones and tablets running iOS or Android operating systems. The description does mention WiFi-based NMEA and AIS, suggesting it can integrate with external marine electronics.

### What are common use cases for SEAiq USA?

Common use cases include planning and executing boat trips, monitoring your vessel's position and progress, setting anchor alarms to ensure your boat stays in place, and viewing real-time weather conditions overlaid on nautical charts for safer navigation.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 5.6.3 — 2026-08-24

* Minor improvements and fixes

### 5.6.2 — 2026-08-07

* Minor improvements and fixes

### 5.6.0 — 2026-02-19

* Minor improvements and fixes

### 5.5.3 — 2026-01-01

* Minor improvements and fixes

### 5.5.2 — 2025-12-09

* Fixes for IOS 26

## Apps similar to SEAiq USA

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [iSailGPS : NOAA USA RNC Charts](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/isailgps-noaa-usa-rnc-charts/id433950540) | 3.9 (72) | $7.99 | Navigation |
| [NOAA Nautical Charts & Map](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/noaa-nautical-charts-and-map/id1540027486) | 3.4 (15) | $5.99 | Navigation |
| [qtVlm](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qtvlm/id999110023) | 3.5 (8) | Free | Navigation |
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| [SeaNav](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/seanav/id857841271) | 4.4 (245) | Free | Navigation |
| [Coastal Explorer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/coastal-explorer/id1452017231) | 2.8 (16) | Free | Navigation |

## More apps by Sakhalin

- [SEAiq](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/seaiq/id529514298)
- [SEAiq Pilot](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/seaiq-pilot/id595198842)
- [SEAiq Pilot VPP](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/seaiq-pilot-vpp/id896469937)
- [SEAiq Watch](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/seaiq-watch/id1463247792)

All apps by Sakhalin: https://appshunter.io/developer/517213477

## Related topics

[isailgps](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/isailgps)

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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 2026-08-25.*