Best Seafaring Reference App

212+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.3 avg rating
19 free apps
Updated June 2026

The best seafaring reference app apps on iPhone average 4.3★ across 212+ titles — we've ranked them by what real users actually keep on their phones. Updated June 2026.

Top Picks for Seafaring Reference App

MarineTraffic - Ship Tracking#1

MarineTraffic - Ship Tracking by MarineTraffic Applications LTD

World's #1 ship tracking app!
Editor's Choice
✈️ Travel
4.8😐(65K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
#22in Travel
MarineTraffic - Ship Tracking screenshot 1
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MarineTraffic - Ship Tracking screenshot 6

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

What We Love

  • 🚀 Accurate location tracking
  • 👍 Useful for maritime enthusiasts
  • 🔍 Provides detailed ship information
  • 🌍 Good worldwide coverage

Room to Improve

  • 💰 Paywall for many features
  • 🕰️ Delayed or outdated ship positions
  • 🤔 Confusing interface and navigation
MyShipTracking#2

MyShipTracking by Nativity

Vessel Tracking App
Strong Contender
🗺️ Navigation
4.4😞(4.5K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
MyShipTracking screenshot 1
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MyShipTracking screenshot 4
MyShipTracking screenshot 5
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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!

What We Love

  • 🚀 Real-time tracking
  • 🔍 Detailed ship information
  • 📍 Accurate location data
  • 💡 Useful for ship enthusiasts

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Inaccurate or outdated ship positions
  • 📵 Lack of real-time updates
  • 🔍 Missing ship details
iNavX: Marine Navigation#3

iNavX: Marine Navigation by NavX Studios LLC

Sailing & Boating Chartplotter
Worth Considering
🗺️ Navigation
4.8😐(20K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
#64in Navigation
iNavX: Marine Navigation screenshot 1
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iNavX: Marine Navigation screenshot 4
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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 Seafaring Reference App 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
(7.1K)
5
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)
6
Aqua Map Boating
Aqua Map Boating
Aqua Map Boating
Marine navigation and fishing
Free

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.

🗺️ Navigation
(13K)
7
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
(5.3K)
8
SeaPeople: Boat Tracker
SeaPeople: Boat Tracker
SeaPeople: Boat Tracker
Trip Planner & Logbook
Free

Track your friends' live locations, plan and record your boat trips, and connect with nearby boaters with this app designed to enhance real-life interactions on the water. Stay updated and engaged in your boat life like never before.

✈️ Travel
(991)
9
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)
10
Wärtsilä iSailor
Wärtsilä iSailor
Wärtsilä iSailor
World's leading sailing app
Free

Explore the leading marine and river navigation app for amateur seafarers, offering clear navigational information through electronic charts and additional content. Discover the accurate TX-97 vector charts and purchase chart folios on isailor.us for seamless navigation. Manage subscriptions and enjoy a range of features like positioning systems, AIS interfaces, and sensor options on iPhone and iPad.

🗺️ Navigation
(10)
11
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)
12
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
(26)
13
Boater's Pocket Reference
Boater's Pocket Reference
Boater's Pocket Reference
Valuable & Handy Pocket Guide
$4.99

A valuable resource for boaters, offering essential information on navigation, safety, and emergency procedures in a user-friendly format. Stay informed and prepared on the water with the Boater's Pocket Reference app.

🔍 Reference
(398)
14
B&G: Companion App for Sailors
B&G: Companion App for Sailors
B&G: Companion App for Sailors
Great sailing charts
Free

An innovative mobile application that enhances productivity by organizing tasks, setting reminders, and boosting collaboration among users. Stay on top of your daily responsibilities and streamline your workflow with this efficient app!

🗺️ Navigation
(325)
15
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)
16
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)
17
Tide Guide: Charts & Tables
Tide Guide: Charts & Tables
Tide Guide: Charts & Tables
NOAA Tides, Weather & Alerts
Free

Access accurate tide charts and information for thousands of locations worldwide with our application. Stay informed about tide levels, currents, and weather conditions for all your coastal activities. Download now to plan your next beach outing with ease!

☀️ Weather
(9K)
18
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)
19
Seabook Maritime
Seabook Maritime
Seabook Maritime
The Leading #1 Maritime App
Free

This mobile app serves as a comprehensive reference tool for seafarers and shore-based employees, providing key information on ship stability, navigation, and marine engineering to promote safer seas and cleaner waters. Download the app to access a wealth of information on maritime topics, including COLREG, GMDSS, and marine meteorology, and stay informed at sea or on shore.

📚 Education
(19)
20
Orca: Boat GPS, Charts, Routes
Orca: Boat GPS, Charts, Routes
Orca: Boat GPS, Charts, Routes
GPS Chart Route Sail Powerboat
Free

Experience the ultimate boating app with crisp nautical charts, tailored routes, global marine weather forecasts, AIS data, and connectivity across all platforms. Join Orca for a next-generation boating experience.

🗺️ Navigation
(297)