Determining the right time to surf is really a science. The more technology shifts and improves, the better tools we have at our fingertips. If you love surfing or want to get started, I’ve put together my list of the best surfing apps available on the app store. From surf forecasts to environmental causes to finding other surfers to meet up with, these ten apps cover everything.
I grew up in Southern California, where waves are abundant, and you never had to worry about being able to catch a wave. Obviously, it was a different scenario when I lived in New York City because the East Coast is hard to predict, and that cold weather means I need more time to get myself pumped up to get in. Now, living in the PNW, a surf trip requires a drive to the coast and some planning ahead of time. These apps have been so helpful for me over the years, and I wanted to share my research with others.
Ten Best Surfing Apps for Any Surfer
I will break this list of best surfing apps down into a few different sections. The good news is that most of them are free to download, with options to pay more for premium content. Make sure to comment and let us know if I missed any of the best surfing apps in your opinion. I’m always down to try something new.
Best Surfing Apps to Get a Surf Report
What is the Most Accurate Surf Report App?
It’s important to remember that a surf forecast is simply a prediction based on ocean buoys and weather patterns. Mother Nature doesn’t always cooperate. I recommend downloading a few options and comparing them to each other. Surfline and MSW are my favorites, but I’ve included a few more as well. It’s also great to get to know a couple of other local surfers so you can alert each other when it’s firing.
Surfline: Wave & Surf Reports
Cost: free to download with some paid monthly membership options
This is the same company that forecasts World Surf League events. This app is great because it has built-in cameras at a lot of locations. However, the forecast isn’t updated as often if you’re an east coast surfer. I use this app mostly because of the cameras. This app gives you a 3-day forecast in the free version, and you can upgrade to see more.
Download the Surfline app here.
MSW Surf Forecast
Cost: free with paid membership options to access premium content
This app was created by Magic Seaweed. It’s great for double-checking forecasts or getting another opinion from Swell and Surfline. I really like the layout of it and enjoy checking the news feed for current happenings in the surf world. Another plus is the limitless locations you can store on this app. I can see what spots are firing all over the country.
Windfinder: Wind & Weather Map
Cost: free with paid membership options for more information
Windfinder helps give accurate forecasts for wind, tide, and waves. You can plug in your location and see what the wind and tide forecasts look like. You’ll get information on wind speed, direction, gusts, air temperature, and felt temperature. In addition, there is great information on waves, like the height and direction. This app is popular among surfers but is also used for other water sports, like sailing, kitesurfing, and fishing.
Download the Windfinder app here.
Buoycast: NOAA Marine Forecast
Cost: free to download with a pro membership available
Buoycast offers information and real-time observations from over 800 buoys. These are the tools we mentioned above that are used to predict good surf and the way the ocean is moving. You can see marine forecasts from many different zones and set alerts and notifications to keep you informed if things change. This isn’t surf-specific, but you can get some extra weather information from this app that can be helpful when planning out your surf spot for the day.
Best Surfing App for the Apple Watch: Dawn Patrol
Cost: free with a premium membership available for an additional cost
Dawn Patrol is the best surfing app if you are using an Apple Watch. You can record your workouts, know your top speed, and count your waves. It’s great to watch for improvement over time and track your stats. The paid membership, Soul Surfers, will also give you some insight into your paddling efficiency and some great forecast options. Everything syncs with your health app, so if you are like me and you love the numbers and data, this app is a must.
Down the Dawn Patrol app here.
Best App for Surf Training: Surf Athlete Surf Training
Cost: free to download with great features with a long-term program available to purchase
Looking to improve your paddle between sessions? Feeling the strain on muscles and looking for surf-specific stretches? This is the app I use to help build the right muscle memory and work on becoming a stronger surfer, even when I’m not near the water.
Down the Surf Athlete app here.
Best App for Watching Surfing: World Surf League
Cost: free
This is a fun one I keep just to stay up-to-date on the happenings in the pro surfing world. It’s great for news and the best way to watch pro events live. If you are a die-hard surf fan, they have a great fantasy surf league you can play.
Download the World Surf League app here.
Other Must-Have Apps for Surfers
These last few apps, which round out our list of the best surfing apps, are pretty specific, but they definitely offer some important tools for surfers.
Save the Waves
Cost: free
Like many outdoor enthusiasts, I want as much information as possible on the health of the places that I love. Save the Waves helps crowdsource info from users who are on the ground. You’ll see information about illegal development, plastic pollution, and poor water quality. By downloading this app, you’ll be able to take action on issues and have real data to share with your local politicians and government leaders. Few people know the beaches better than surfers, so let’s use that knowledge to help protect them.
Download the Save the Waves app here.
Dorsal Shark Reports
Cost: free to download and use with an ad-free membership option available to purchase
If you want to avoid any run-ins with sharks while surfing, Dorsal is a great app to help stay on top of any shark sightings in your area. With over 250,000 users, media partners, and aerial surveillance, the app stays on top of any sharks that might be swimming around near your surf spot. The app may grow over time, but right now, it’s only available for Australia and the US (including Hawaii).
The Klubb
Launching Winter 2022, The Klubb is a new kind of social app that is redefining wellness for the next generation of movers and shakers. Designed for high-performers, The Klubb takes the private club experience and packages it into a user-friendly social app that gets you “Outside, Together.” Join the waitlist today to be a part of the next evolution of social apps. In the meantime, check out their journal, Klubb Mag, for amazing athletic vacation destinations and outdoor activity recommendations.
Have You Tried Any of the Best Surfing Apps on Our List?
What are the best surfing apps you’ve used? Where do you get your weather reports for planning out your sessions? Let me know what else I should be trying. You can also check out our list of surfing essentials to help prep for your next outing.
