Several tides apps are available for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. It’s a great idea and a handy way to keep track of the tides without carrying around printed tide charts for every location. A good tide app is especially useful when you’re cruising to different areas and need accurate information on local tides - and potentially water currents as well.
Shown here is a standard tide table screen from AyeTides, arguably the best standalone tide app for sailors in the U.S. In addition to high and low tides, it shows sun and moon rise and setting times. Near the top you see the water height at the present moment and the arrow indicating a falling tide. (Scroll sideways to move days forward or backward.) This is just the beginning of what AyeTides does, however.
Most important for choosing a tide app is its specificity for your area. The Tides Planner 10 app, for example, has only 3 tides stations for the entire Massachusetts coast; my own area is anywhere from 30 to 75 minutes different from itsnearest tide readings in Boston. In contrast, AyeTides automatically checked my current location and offered over 40 tide stations closer than Boston. Choose one as a favorite and the app will open directly to your local tides for the day.
Importantly, AyeTides stores all data on your device - you don’t need connectivity on the boat to have all tide areas at your fingertips.
Continue for more features and other tides apps.
