Comparison

SafeWaters.ai vs SurfMap

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

SafeWaters.ai

This app provides comprehensive ocean intelligence, including surf forecasts, wave reports, tide charts, and AI-powered shark risk predictions. It helps surfers, divers, and beachgoers make informed decisions about ocean safety and conditions worldwide.

Highlights
  • 7-day surf and wave forecasts
  • AI-powered shark risk predictions
  • Tide charts and predictions
  • Visibility forecasts for diving
  • Search any beach worldwide
  • Save favorite surf spots
Features
Read full description

Surf Forecast, Wave Reports, Tides & Shark Risk - All in One App SafeWaters.AI is your complete ocean intelligence platform combining surf forecasts, wave reports, tide charts, and AI-powered shark risk predictions. Whether you're a surfer checking wave conditions, a spearfisherman planning your dive, or a swimmer heading to the beach - get all the data you need in one place. SURF & WAVE FORECASTS Detailed wave height, period, and direction forecasts 7-day surf reports for any beach worldwide Real-time ocean conditions and swell data Visibility forecasts for spearfishing and diving Comprehensive tide predictions and charts AI SHARK RISK FORECASTING Like Surfline for surf reports - but we add shark risk intelligence. Our unique AI model, trained on over 200 years of shark attack and marine weather data, generates 7-day shark risk forecasts for any beach in the world. Now when you check your surf forecast, wave report, or tide chart before heading to the ocean, you can check the shark forecast too. SafeWaters.AI adds an extra layer of ocean safety so surfers, spearfishermen, divers, and beachgoers can make smarter, more informed decisions. HOW IT WORKS Search any beach location worldwide (e.g., New Smyrna Beach, FL or Bondi Beach, Australia) View surf forecasts, wave heights, tide times, and visibility conditions Check current day or 7-day shark risk forecast Save favorite surf spots and dive sites for quick access Preview conditions right from your home screen WHO IT'S FOR Surfers checking wave forecasts and swell reports Spearfishermen monitoring visibility and tide conditions Swimmers and ocean safety enthusiasts Lifeguards and beach authorities planning safety measures Anyone seeking comprehensive ocean and surf conditions OCEAN CONSERVATION COMMITMENT We pledge 5% of all profits to ocean cleanup and shark protection efforts—helping you stay informed while supporting marine conservation. IMPORTANT NOTE SafeWaters.AI does not predict shark attacks but provides risk forecasts based on historical and environmental data. A "High Risk" day indicates that current conditions—spanning 40 marine weather variables, date, and location—closely resemble those of past incidents. Always use personal judgment and follow local safety guidance. Your use of SafeWaters.AI signifies understanding and acceptance of these terms. TERMS & SUBSCRIPTIONS Auto-renewable monthly subscription available via In-App Purchase Subscription charged to iTunes account with automatic renewal Auto-renew can be turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period Manage subscriptions in iTunes Account Settings after purchase Current subscription may not be cancelled during active period Privacy Policy & Terms: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSqTlC9Rbqhcn-9GzCz_5iuktPwBbq_OGLWgLjwO6AoNk1wA_xPdOw1uDAhEaWL3pNaJG1BPBt4MBQF/pub Apple EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

SurfMap

This app uses AI to provide personalized surf forecasts based on your skill level and preferred spots. It offers an interactive map for viewing conditions and custom alerts to never miss a great session.

Highlights
  • AI-powered personalized forecasts
  • Interactive map with live conditions
  • 7-day surf planning
  • Customizable alerts
  • Tide and crowd level tracking
  • Skill-level adaptation
Features
Read full description

SurfMap rates the surf for your level at more than 5,000 spots around the world. For each spot, it shows you the best hours to go and tells you why. RATED FOR YOUR LEVEL • Tell SurfMap if you're a beginner, an intermediate or an advanced surfer, and every hour of the week gets a rating for you. • Each rating gives its reason in plain words, like "Ideal size for your level" or "Too much wind". • When the tide makes a spot dangerous, a warning sign shows next to its rating. • Rate your sessions and the AI adds a personal score that predicts how much you'll enjoy each hour. It runs on your iPhone and learns only from your own sessions. MAKE EACH SPOT YOURS • Tell SurfMap which tides work at your spot, which ones are dangerous and how big the waves really get there, and the ratings take it into account. • Save your favorite spots. Around 6:30 pm, SurfMap tells you if one of them looks good tomorrow, and it stays quiet when nothing is worth the trip. • Home Screen widgets show the spot you pick, or the closest spot wherever you are. FIND WHERE TO SURF • See which spots around you, or which of your favorites, look good today, tomorrow, this weekend or later in the week. • Hourly graphs show the waves, wind, tide and weather. Drag across the day to check any hour. • The nearby forecast shows seven days for every spot around you. Open the week in landscape, or compare two spots side by side. • Search spots, towns and guides by the name locals use or the one travelers know. WHERE THE FORECAST COMES FROM • Waves, wind and weather come from global wave and weather models, refreshed twice a day for the next seven days. The ratings are SurfMap's own reading of them. • Tides are predicted for each spot from its own tidal constants, the same method behind printed tide tables. 16 SURF GUIDES • The guides cover Ericeira, Peniche, the Algarve, Hossegor, both sides of the Basque Country, Galicia, Asturias, Cornwall, the west coast of Ireland, Fuerteventura, Taghazout, Bali, the Mentawai Islands, Siargao and Sri Lanka. • Each guide says which spot suits your level, the tide that makes it work and the hazards to watch out for. ASK SIRI • "Hey Siri, does it surf today in Huntington Beach with SurfMap?" Siri answers with your rating and the best window, and a tap opens the spot. • With Apple Intelligence, ask SurfMap anything, like "Is tomorrow better than today at Huntington Beach?" Siri questions need iOS 26. APPLE WATCH • Track your session from your wrist, with no phone in the water. The watch counts your waves, and notices missed waves and wipeouts too. • Follow your heart rate, calories and paddle distance live, and keep the GPS track. If your watch runs out of battery, the session isn't lost. • The watch shows conditions and tide for your spots, and its complications can follow the closest spot. YOUR SURF LOG • Every session goes into your log with its conditions and the board you rode, and each month gets its own recap page. • Share a spot's forecast, a session or a whole month as an image. • Your profile keeps your records and a stamp for each new spot and each new country. • Surf workouts go to Apple Health and count toward your rings. SurfMap has no ads. Please note: All features in SurfMap require a subscription. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

SafeWaters.ai4 screens
SurfMap4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: SurfMap at 75% against SafeWaters.ai's 0%. SurfMap also leads on rating (4.5 vs 4.0) and update cadence (every 6 days vs every 3 weeks). SafeWaters.ai's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 18.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. SafeWaters.ai sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and SurfMap sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SurfMap holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 30 and 40 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of SafeWaters.ai's written reviews are positive against 75% of SurfMap's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SafeWaters.ai ships an update every 3 weeks, SurfMap every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
SafeWaters.ai versus SurfMap: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSafeWaters.aiSurfMap
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (30 ratings)4.5 (40 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews75.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3040 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS14.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB57 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperSafeWatersAI LLCGuillaume Bernos

Customer experience

SafeWaters.ai

All ratings30 ratings
Positive73.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative26.7%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

SurfMap

All ratings40 ratings
Positive92.5%
Neutral2.5%
Negative5.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

SafeWaters.ai

Subscriptions2
  • Unlimited access7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Yearly7 Days trial$9.991 Year
4 purchases

SurfMap

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly Plan$1.997 Days
  • Monthly Plan$6.991 Month
  • Annual Plan14 Days trial$34.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$99.00

Questions

Is SafeWaters.ai free?
SafeWaters.ai is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SurfMap free?
SurfMap is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SafeWaters.ai or SurfMap?
SurfMap is rated higher. SafeWaters.ai averages 4.0 out of 5 from 30 ratings, while SurfMap averages 4.5 from 40 ratings.
Do SafeWaters.ai or SurfMap have ads?
Neither SafeWaters.ai nor SurfMap shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SafeWaters.ai or SurfMap?
SafeWaters.ai ships an update every 3 weeks, and SurfMap every 6 days. Most recently, SafeWaters.ai was updated on November 3, 2026 and SurfMap on November 5, 2026.

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