WaveWatch vs Local Boats
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
WaveWatch
Get precise marine and weather data for water sports. Track wave height, swell, wind, and sea surface temperature. Access 10-day hourly forecasts with interactive maps and GPS integration for safe and enjoyable time on the water.
- Wave height and direction tracking
- Detailed swell analysis
- 10-day hourly weather forecasts
- Interactive time-based weather maps
- GPS integration for location detection
- Offline data storage
Read full descriptionHide full description
WaveWatch is the ultimate marine weather companion for sailors, surfers, boaters, and water sports enthusiasts. Get detailed marine and weather data with precision accuracy for safe and enjoyable time on the water. MARINE WEATHER DATA • Wave Height & Direction - Track wave heights, periods, and directions • Swell Analysis - Detailed swell height, period, and direction data • Wind Waves - Separate wind wave and swell components • Sea Surface Temperature - Current water temperatures • Ocean Currents - Velocity and direction of ocean currents WEATHER FORECASTS • 10-Day Hourly Forecasts - Detailed weather predictions • Wind Speed & Direction - Color-coded wind visualization • Temperature & Precipitation - Air temp, feels-like, rain probability • Visibility & Pressure - Essential navigation data • UV Index & Sunrise/Sunset - Sun protection and daylight planning INTERACTIVE FEATURES • Time-Based Weather Maps - Scroll through forecast timelines • Location Search - Find any coastal area worldwide • GPS Integration - Automatic location detection • Nearby Places - Discover harbors, beaches, and launch points • Favorites System - Save your most-used locations PROFESSIONAL MARINE TOOLS • Multiple Unit Systems - Nautical (knots), Metric, Imperial • Wind Scale Visualization - Color-coded Beaufort scale • Marine-Specific Forecasts - Purpose-built for water activities • High Precision Data - Professional-grade accuracy PRIVACY & RELIABILITY • Zero Data Collection - Your information stays on your device • Offline Capabilities - Local storage for critical data • Fast Performance - Optimized for mobile use • Reliable Sources Perfect for sailing trips, surfing sessions, fishing trips, yacht cruising, and any water-based activity. Whether you're a professional sailor or weekend boater, WaveWatch provides the marine intelligence you need to make informed decisions on the water.
Local Boats
Read full descriptionHide full description
IOS app for casual boaters looking for weather, tide, inlet and key resources in one package. Particularly useful for Southeast Florida.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Local Boats at every 5 days against WaveWatch's every 11 days. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
WaveWatch ships an update every 11 days, Local Boats every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | WaveWatch | Local Boats |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | — | 1 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 11 days | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 31 MB | 34 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Adrian Huma | Stuart Frankel |
In-app purchases
WaveWatch
No in-app purchases
Local Boats
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is WaveWatch free?
Is Local Boats free?
Do WaveWatch or Local Boats have ads?
Which is updated more often, WaveWatch or Local Boats?
Other comparisons
