Apps For Surfers: The Complete List [2023 Update]

MAGIC SEAWEED

Magic Seaweed is one of, if not the most popular surf forecasting apps out there.

The app tracks swell models across the entire globe, giving you detailed forecasts for almost every surf spot on the planet.

The interface is clear, clean and easy to use, and the swell forecasting is very detailed - with primary, secondary, and tertiary swells tracked.

One thing in particular I like about this app is the confidence reading in their forecasts. This insightful metric helps you to know their swell prediction algorithms confidence in the accuracy of their reports.

Some other interesting features:

I've used Magic Seaweed a lot over the years and find it the easiest of all the surf forecasting apps to use. 

However having said all that, it's not always the most accurate.

As you'll begin to see with the different forecasting options out there, they have different levels of accuracy depending on the location.

SURFLINE

Yes, Surfline offers some of the most accurate surf reports out there, and yes, it's relied upon by big wave surfers that track storms all over the planet, but that's not all.

Surfline has invested heavily in surf cameras at some of the most popular surf spots in the world, and these aren't those grainy live cams of old, instead they stream in full HD.

Furthermore, Surfline has this rad feature whereby you can track your session in front of any Surfline surf cam and instantly replay your clips after your surf.

All you need is an apple watch, supported Garmin watch, or a Rip Curl Search GPS watch to start tracking your ocean sessions.

If you have all of those bits in place, and your watch is all synced up to the Surfline app, the camera will record all your waves and save them for you to dissect in your own time.

Pretty epic if you ask me.

I'm not going to lie, I haven't really used Surfline too much in the past, but after having a play around and digging in for this article I've kind of been blown away.

The ability to record your own waves via the HD cams is a game changer, something that I'd always imagined but never knew was possible.

It's kind of expensive, and there's no free option, but for the hardcore surf nut I think you would really like this.

WINDY APP

The Windy app covers more than just surfing, and is used for other sports such as kitesurfing, windsurfing etc.

So it's not exclusively for surfers.

Regardless, the app has a great UX and it's really easy to use - especially when it comes to visualising swell directions and periods.

It has a neat feature whereby as you scroll through the forecast, and the swell direction dial rotates to reflect the changes, making it really easy to see what going on.

I've been using Windy App more and more recently as a second opinion to Magic Seaweed forecasts as they're not particularly accurate for my local beach.

And I've got to say, Windy has been spot on every time, and the free version is going to be more than enough for most.

SURF FIT: BREATH

The Surf Fit app has been co-developed by big wave charger Andrew Cotton to help improve CO2 tolerance underwater.

Now why is this important?

Well, you might not know this but it's actually CO2 and not lack of Oxygen that causes the onset of diaphragm contractions triggering the need to breath.

Increase your CO2 tolerance, and you'll be able to hold your breath for longer, simples.

And this app takes the practice of CO2 tables popularised by free divers, and give it to us surfers to get us prepared for gnarly situations.

I've been getting really into CO2 tables lately, and it's nice to have an app built by a surfer, for surfers teaching this stuff.

It's simple to use, and tracks all your progress. 

Nothing flashy, but does the job.

DAWN PATROL - WATCH APP

Dawn Patrol syncs up to your smart watch to track your surfs.

It'll breakdown all sorts of statistics from how far you paddle, calories burned, waves caught, speed surfed and so much more.

If you're a surf nerd and you love tracking everything you do then you'll love this.

There's even the opportunity to track your performance on different boards in your quiver to compare results.

I'm not much a fan of the whole smart watch thing and don't have a lot of use for something like this. I'm too much of a luddite.

However, I can see the appeal. 

TRUE SURF

This game is epic.

From monster airs, to back-dooring enormous tubes in 25ft surf, this game has it all.

And you know what, even though getting tubed on this game feels nothing like the real thing, it's still strangely satisfying.

Built by the team at Surfline, this game is a must for surfers on flat days.

Even though I love this game, I'm terrible at it.

I think my best ever score is like a 6.5 or something distinctly average like that.

Nevertheless, once I start I get hooked and can't put the thing down.

Certainly not a bad time filler when the time calls.

JAMIE O'BRIEN: SURF TRAINING

Popular YouTuber and Pipeline charger Jamie O'Brien has now released his own surf tuition app.

The app gives you access to a few free tutorials, and with upgrades you'll have access to it all.

From what I can tell the app is certainly catering towards advanced surfers more than anything, so bare that one in mind.

I've liked Jamie since the early days way back before YouTube was even a thing, but I'm not a mega fan of this app. 

It feels a little shouty to me, and the app is incredibly slow to load and not very easy to navigate.

Just my two cents, so make of that what you will, but you can go and check it out for yourself via the links below.

SURF ATHLETE: SURF TRAINING

This app is all about building up fitness levels specifically for surfing.

It consists of lots of surfing workouts to help build up strength and endurance in the water.

I can't say that I've used this app personally so can't recommend either way.

For city surfers not close to the beach though I bet this could be a neat thing to try, the upgrades aren't cheap though so bare that one in mind.

NOBODY SURF

The Nobody Surf app is a place where you can go to watch surf videos ad free, and check out some in depth surf guides, and pro surfer bio's

I'm all for the little guy, but it's so hard nowadays when everything is uploaded to YouTube where we sell our time, concentration, and data in exchange for free entertainment.

I hope independent companies like Nobody Surf can maintain profitability to keep this type of thing going, but the outlook isn't great.