Are you the boating or fishing lover planning your next water trip? This article has you covered!
Nowadays, there are lots of lake map apps for Android and iOS that can cover all your water need. Those apps create you a route, follow you along the way, keep you informed about the weather conditions, predict the tides, and even identify unknown objects on the map.
Some of these apps include fishing maps and even gives you info about the nearest land and the places you might visit there. Sounds interesting?
Here’s the list of 11 free apps that category that worth your attention. Check it out!
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Boating HD Marine & Lakes
Let’s start with an app called Boating HD Marine & Lakes. This is an app that provides you with lake maps for fishing, sailing, and any other water activity you can think of.
Along with that, this app also includes detailed marine charts in case you’re into diving. What this app does is it turns your mobile into a full-on GPS plotter with all the best features.
It needs to be said, the app works with subscription packs but you can go for a free trial. Into the bargain, this app works offline so no matter where you are you will have access to a precise map of lakes and marine areas.
Plus, the app has a sonar chart feature with extra precise bottom contour details. All the maps in this app are getting daily updates and additions by thousands of boaters.
By the same token, the app empowers you to look through satellite images and creates you a route with all the details your regular GPS gives you. By the way, if you need a fully-featured GPS tracking app, make sure to have a look at this article.
What is more, the app provides you with real-time weather reports and gives you info about the nearest showplaces you might like to visit.
You are also allowed to change the appearance of the charts by highlighting small areas or targeting various fishing or diving spots at the same time. You can even save and share the maps you’re currently using for quick access.
In the long run, if you’re looking for a powerful lake map app, Boating HD Marine & Lakes is your best goal.
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The second app on our list is called C-MAP — Marine Charts. This is an app that offers you HQ marine maps and works like GPS at the same time.
The main goal of this app is to give you all the info for you to plan a full-on journey on the water. At that, you will have access to real-time marine maps including all the bottom contour details.
Plus, all the maps are getting daily updates that are being added by boaters and satellites. As it was mentioned, this app also works as GPS and the best of all — in functions with no Internet connection.
Accompanying that, the apps give you regular real-time weather reports so you will be warned if the storm is coming and it’s not the most suitable time for fishing.
Plus, there’s a special feature for all of you into fishing — the best and the most popular fishing spots are already marked on the map. You can also customize the charts by marking your favorite fishing and diving areas.
Into the bargain, the app powers you to attach photos to the map spots so you can always look through your memories tight in the app. Besides, all the maps can be saved on your phone or shared as well as the routes and tracks.
The app also enables you to see all the surrounding boats with a 100 km radius! In case you want to go on land, the app will give you all the data about the beaches, docks, and showplaces.
To crown it all, if you’re looking for an app that will help you plan a water trip or activity, be sure to try the C-MAP — Marine Charts.
i-Boating: Sweden Marine Charts
As its name supposes, i-Boating: Sweden Marine Charts is an app that gives you access to offline marine charts and lake maps in Sweden.
This app covers marine maps including the bottom contour details, lake maps, and river maps. At this point, this app works great if you want to plan any activity o the water — from fishing to diving, boating, and sailing. Plus, all the map details are getting current updates each day by boater and satellites.
By the same token, the app provides you with route assistance and even has voice support like a regular GPS navigator. You can also start your own boating routes or use the pre-made ones.
The app also offers different routes depending on the activity you want to encounter. Plus, you can see the best diving and fishing spots marked by other users or add your own ones.
Along with that, the app gives you daily weather updates so you will be warned if it’s not the best time to go fishing and stuff.
The app even includes the tide and flows prediction so you won’t have to worry about it yourself. Into the bargain, if you see an object on your way you can not identify you can ask the app for query details.
In case you’re boating and want to visit land the app will provide you with the data about the harbors, beach condition, and must-visit places.
Thus, if you’re planning to go on the water trip or do any water activity in Sweden, i-Boating: Sweden Marine Charts is the greatest assistant app you can find.
Polaris GPS Navigation: Hiking, Marine, Offroad is another water GPS app that covers lakes, seas, and rivers.
First of all, this app is one of the easiest water GPS you can find — it doesn’t even require you to create an account and doesn’t have any paid subscription packs.
At that, the app is quite powerful and it empowers you to create water routes with no internet connection and gives you access to an unlimited amount of offline maps.
The app provides you with a detailed lake and sea maps including the bottom contours. Into the bargain, all the water maps get daily updates according to satellites and boaters.
It needs to be said, this app covers more than just water activities — it’s also great for hiking, hunting, camping, mountain biking, and all that. The app also allows you to see the most popular fishing and diving areas.
Plus, the app has a build-in drift alert feature that wars you if your anchor is not dragged well. Along with that, you will get daily real-time weather reports that will tell you if it’s a great day for your activity. Furthermore, the app has a tide and currents prediction so you will know exactly what to expect.
In the long run, if you’re into any type of active traveling including water activities, be sure to give the Polaris GPS Navigation app a try.
Marine Ways – Free Nautical Charts
Marine Ways — Free Nautical Charts is another marine and lake navigation app that empowers you to plan any water activity that comes to your mind.
Along with its sister apps, this one gives you access to sea and lake maps with all the details — from bottom contours to unknown objects identification. Plus, the app can plan your route and provide you with the data on how long will it take to get there and everything a regular GPS gives you.
The best thing about this app — it works without an internet connection so you won’t lose your way no matter what.
In case you worry about the credibility of the maps, all of them are getting daily updates and improvements according to boaters’ reports and satellites. You can also turn on various marine overlays to have a better view of the boating conditions.
To be more precise, there are data about water temperature, wind speed, and also the wave high. Besides, you will get regular real-time weather and buoy reports that will tell you about the wave conditions.
As for the obstructions, if you see any object on your way you are unable to identify you can ask the app for details. Plus, you can look through the historical info about potentially dangerous rocks and sunken vessels that can come on your way.
To crown it all, if you need an app that will get you through your water trip or activity, pay attention to the Marine Ways — Free Nautical Charts app.
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Garmin ActiveCaptain
Garmin ActiveCaptain is an app with water charts that provides you with offline access. The main point of this app is to help you plan a water trip.
At that, the app enables you to create a route and look through a detailed map while following it. The app includes precise lake and sea maps with all the bottom contour details. It needs to be mentioned, all the charts are getting constant updates so there’s no outdated info in the app.
Along with that, the app provides you with daily weather reports so you can decide if it’s appropriate to go sailing or fishing. There are eventide and currents prediction feature and the tool that shows you the current wave height. The app synchronizes with Garmin Chartplotter and works best with that.
Into the bargain, the app empowers you to communicate with the ActiveCaptain community by a build-in chat. In case you will decide to visit land the app will give you the harbors’ data, the condition of the beaches, shopping centers, and must-visit sights.
In the long run, if you have Garmin equipment and planning to go on a water trip, the Garmin ActiveCaptain app is a must-have.
Lowrance: Fishing & Navigation is another lake map app that will assist you with the best water activity experience.
As you can guess by the title, this app mostly focuses on GPS navigation and fishing so its not as versatile as other apps from that list. But if you’re fishing fan this app is worthy to try.
As for the GPS part of the app, it works the same as your regular navigator — it creates your path and follows you along the way. At that, all the routes can be saved and the GPS tool is available offline.
Into the bargain, you can look through the detailed water chart while following your route. It needs to be said, all the maps are daily updating so you one fave troubles with that. Besides, all the best fishing areas are already marked on the map so you can visit those or customize the map by adding your own ones.
Therewith, you will get regular weather and wave reports that will tell you if it’s time to go fishing or not. Besides, if you own Lowrance fishing devices you can sync it with an app. The app even provides you with land info including the marinas, sights, beaches, and stuff.
Thus, if you’re a fishing lover planning your next trip, make sure to try the Lowrance: Fishing & Navigation app.
Aqua Map: Marine & Lake charts
According to its name, Aqua Map: Marine & Lake charts is an app that will help you get through fishing, boating, or any other type of water activity.
This app was developed with the help of pro boaters so you can be sure it will cover all your needs. First of all, the app can plan and navigate your water route.
Plus, you can look through various data about the surrounding environment while following it. For example, the app shows you the water temperature, the wind speed, and also the height of the waves.
Into the bargain, the app provides you with daily weather reports and also predicts the eventide and currents. The app even has an anchor alarm feature that tells you if your boat is not dragged well.
As for the maps, all of them are super detailed and allow you to see the bottom contours. The maps are also constantly updating by the boaters and satellites.
Accompanying that, the app has a collision detection system powered by AIS data. Besides, you can save your beloved routes and maps or share it with your mates. You can also customize the map by marking preferred spots for water activities.
All in all, if you need a water GPS app with lots of useful features, try the Aqua Map app.
Free Gps For Boat fishing
Free Gps For Boat fishing is an app that provides you with all types of water maps you can think of.
Apart from most apps on that list, this one is narrowly focused on fishing lovers. The app grants you to plan your fishing route and get the detailed info about the surrounding environment while following it. At that, the app will show you the water temperature, the wave height, and the speed of the wind.
Plus, you can save the routes you may want to repeat in the future and share it with your mates. The app also supports voice assistance and the ability to mark your favorite fishing areas on the map. However, you can look through pre-made fishing, apps with the most popular routes and areas.
By the same token, the app also gives you the data about the land — from harbors to shopping centers and sights. You can even use it as a regular daily GPS as it covers lots of countries and has a traffic mode. Besides, all the maps are available offline so you won’t lose course wherever you are.
To crown it all, if you’re into fishing, give the Free Gps For Boat fishing app a try.
iNavX — Sailing & Boating is an app that gives you the keys to the marine navigation world.
In the first place, this app has one of the largest databases of high-quality water charts out there. Plus, the app is suitable for lots of water activities — from boating and angling to diving and sailing.
To be more precise, there are lots of fishing maps for anglers, diving charts for divers, and the route planning with the weather tracker for sailors and boaters.
Accompanying that, the app works as a water GPS and can plan your route and assist you along the way. Plus, you will get regular weather reports and the prediction of tides and currents. You will also be able to track the water temperature, the wind speed, and the height of the waves.
As for the maps, those are very detailed and you can regulate the depth you want to look at. You will also be able to see the bottom contours and use object identification tool for the unknown obstructions. You can also customize the maps by marking your favorite areas and save them to your phone.
At long last, iNavX is a powerful water navigation app worth trying.
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OnCourse – boating & sailing
And last but not least, OnCourse is a boating navigation app that will help you plan your water trip and keep track of the surrounding environment.
The main goal of this app is to increase your water experience so it assists you during your time on the water. The app can plan you route and give you the info about the current weather conditions. At that, the app also keeps you informed on how long will it take you to get to the destination point.
Plus, you will be able to see the temperature of the surrounding water, the height of the waves, and the speed of the wind. The app even has tides and currents prediction tool that keeps you all-around informed.
By the same token, the app powers you to stay in touch with that boaters’ community and see the boats around you for a 100 km radius.
You can also customize the maps by personalizing routes and marking the areas you like for particular activities or want to visit. Besides, you can share your location with friends and family to keep them informed where you are. There’s also the ability to track a particular boat and connect with its Capitan.
In the long run, if you need an app to plan your water voyage, OnCourse is your best option.
