Best Nautical Buddy Apps

198+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.3 avg rating
19 free apps
Updated May 2026

Every iPhone needs a few good nautical buddy apps. We benchmark 198+ of them on App Store rating, freshness, and pricing, then surface the standouts so you don't have to scroll the App Store yourself.

Top Picks for Nautical Buddy

Aqua Map Boating#2

Aqua Map Boating by GEC s.r.l.

Marine navigation and fishing
Strong Contender
🗺️ Navigation
4.7😊(13K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
#66in Navigation
Aqua Map Boating screenshot 1
Aqua Map Boating screenshot 2
Aqua Map Boating screenshot 3
Aqua Map Boating screenshot 4
Aqua Map Boating screenshot 5
Aqua Map Boating screenshot 6

Explore marine navigation, fishing, and weather with advanced features like offline charts, live tracking, route planning, and connectivity for AIS and GPS data. Start your 14-day free trial now for an enhanced boating experience.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Excellent navigation tool
  • 👍 Easy to use and intuitive
  • 🗺️ Detailed and accurate charts
  • 💡 Helpful features like AIS, weather, and fuel prices

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Occasional issues with map downloads and disappearing charts
  • 🔍 Lack of intuitive route planning functionality
  • 🔍 Slow map loading and tracking issues in certain areas
iNavX: Marine Navigation#3

iNavX: Marine Navigation by NavX Studios LLC

Sailing & Boating Chartplotter
Worth Considering
🗺️ Navigation
4.8😐(20K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
#71in Navigation
iNavX: Marine Navigation screenshot 1
iNavX: Marine Navigation screenshot 2
iNavX: Marine Navigation screenshot 3
iNavX: Marine Navigation screenshot 4
iNavX: Marine Navigation screenshot 5
iNavX: Marine Navigation screenshot 6

A powerful marine navigation app designed for sailing enthusiasts to plan routes, track marine weather, and monitor vessel performance. Navigate with precision and confidence on the water.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Accurate and precise navigation
  • 📊 Comprehensive charting and navigation features
  • 🛠️ Customizable instrument settings
  • 🔄 Redundancy across devices

Room to Improve

  • 🤔 Clunky and unintuitive user interface
  • 🗺️ Cumbersome chart management and downloading
  • 🔋 Battery drain issues

More Nautical Buddy apps to explore

4
Savvy Navvy Boating Navigation
Savvy Navvy Boating Navigation
Savvy Navvy Boating Navigation
Marine GPS and Nautical Charts
Free

Access all your boating needs in one app – charts, weather forecasts, AIS, and more. From planning to navigation, we've got you covered on the water!

🗺️ Navigation
(6.9K)
5
Nautical Charts & Maps
Nautical Charts & Maps
Nautical Charts & Maps
Nautical Charts & Marine Maps
$8.99

Discover the ideal app for navigating the seas with precision and ease. Access detailed nautical charts, track your routes, and stay informed about marine conditions all in one convenient platform. Start charting your course today!

🗺️ Navigation
(3.7K)
6
i-Boating: Marine Charts & Gps
i-Boating: Marine Charts & Gps
i-Boating: Marine Charts & Gps
Lake Maps & Fishing Spots
Free

Discover a comprehensive marine navigation app with detailed charts, precise route planning, and real-time AIS tracking. Navigate ocean waters effortlessly and ensure safe voyages with this essential tool for all boating enthusiasts. Explore and download the app to set sail confidently today!

🗺️ Navigation
(14K)
7
MarineTraffic - Ship Tracking
MarineTraffic - Ship Tracking
MarineTraffic - Ship Tracking
World's #1 ship tracking app!
Free

Track ships worldwide in real-time with MarineTraffic. Stay updated on vessel locations, routes, and arrivals. Download now to explore the seas!

✈️ Travel
(65K)
8
Navionics® Boating
Navionics® Boating
Navionics® Boating
Nautical and fishing charts
Free

Experience detailed nautical and fishing charts on your mobile device with offline access and a range of features through this must-have Boating app. Get expertly detailed charts for cruising, fishing, sailing, and diving – perfect for all your water activities. Try it free for a limited time and unlock advanced features with a yearly subscription.

🗺️ Navigation
(2.2K)
9
Wavve Boating: GPS, Map, Chart
Wavve Boating: GPS, Map, Chart
Wavve Boating: GPS, Map, Chart
Navigation, Charts, Tides, Map
Free

Enhance your boating experience with our marine GPS app - offering simplified navigation, customizable nautical charts, tidal information, weather updates, and a community-based platform for sharing knowledge. Join our fast-growing community today and enjoy a free trial to explore all the features. For more information, visit our website.

🗺️ Navigation
(5.2K)
10
Simrad: Companion for Boaters
Simrad: Companion for Boaters
Simrad: Companion for Boaters
Great nautical charts
Free

Experience detailed nautical charts, weather updates, route planning, and GPS functionality with this boater's companion app. Activate and register your Simrad Chartplotter, access a free C-MAP Chart Viewer, use Autorouting™, save personal waypoints, track recordings, and explore marine points of interest. Stay informed with marine weather forecasts and customize your charts for seamless navigation.

🗺️ Navigation
(2K)
11
ActiveCaptain®
ActiveCaptain®
ActiveCaptain®
Connect to Your GPS Plotter
Free

Connect your mobile device to your Garmin chartplotter and the boating community with this powerful app. Access charts, maps, software updates, routes, waypoints, and community feedback seamlessly while tracking and monitoring your boat from anywhere. Join the ActiveCaptain community for up-to-date information on marinas, boat ramps, and more.

🗺️ Navigation
(4.6K)
12
MyShipTracking
MyShipTracking
MyShipTracking
Vessel Tracking App
Free

Discover maritime traffic worldwide with our Vessel Tracking App. Monitor vessels in real-time with AIS data, access detailed vessel information, and stay informed about global maritime movements. Explore now!

🗺️ Navigation
(4.5K)
13
Ship Finder Lite
Ship Finder Lite
Ship Finder Lite
Live Marine & Vessel tracking
Free

Discover real-time marine traffic with Ship Finder Lite. Track ships worldwide, view vessel details, and explore maritime activity on your mobile device. Start monitoring the seas today!

🗺️ Navigation
(3K)
14
Argo - Boating Navigation
Argo - Boating Navigation
Argo - Boating Navigation
Charts, Routes, Tracks, Log
Free

Discover boating destinations, track trips, connect with boaters, and access real-time local insights with Argo - Boating Navigation. Download for free and enhance your boating experience!

🗺️ Navigation
(6K)
15
VesselFinder
VesselFinder
VesselFinder
by ASTRA PAGING LTD
Free

Discover real-time positions and details of over 200,000 ships daily with VesselFinder Lite, a free vessel tracking app featuring ship search, movement history, port details, maps, weather layers, and more. For additional features like ad-free experience and vessel tracking history, upgrade to VesselFinder Pro. Explore the world of maritime traffic today!

🗺️ Navigation
(91)
16
The Nautical School ExamTutor+
The Nautical School ExamTutor+
The Nautical School ExamTutor+
Learn Rules of the Road
Free

This learning program helps you prepare for the USCG captains license examination by testing your knowledge of Nautical Inland and International Rules of the Road with over 1,300 questions, tracking your progress, and providing instant feedback. By using this program, you'll be able to learn and test yourself in a fun and stress-free way, ensuring you're ready to pass the real examination.

📚 Education
(24)
17
ilearntoboat
ilearntoboat
ilearntoboat
Interactive Boating Course
Free

This mobile app serves as a companion to the web-based Interactive Boating Safety Course, offering an engaging storyline where users make boating decisions in real-time scenarios. It provides a unique learning experience aligned with national standards and features role-playing simulations, achievements, and flexible pacing. Dive into interactive boating education today!

📚 Education
(442)
18
KnowWake
KnowWake
KnowWake
Friendly Waterway Navigation
Free

Discover a FREE marine navigation platform with abundant waterfront destinations worldwide including restaurants, marinas, fuel docks, and more. Plan your boating adventures with ease using KnowWake!

🗺️ Navigation
(250)
19
Nautical Rules
Nautical Rules
Nautical Rules
Master the Rules of the Road
Free
🗺️ Navigation
(4)
20
Boat Watch - Ship Tracking
Boat Watch - Ship Tracking
Boat Watch - Ship Tracking
Ferry, cargo & cruise ships
Free

Track ships in real-time with Boat Watch - Ship Tracking app! Stay updated on ferry, cargo, and tanker locations, routes, and arrivals with live map tracking and notifications. Download now for ultimate ship tracking experience.

✈️ Travel
(3.6K)