The Best Boating Apps for 2025: Navigation, Fishing & Docking Made Easy
Discover the best boating apps for 2025 to enhance your fishing trips, family outings, and sandbar days. From tides and weather to marina bookings and route planning, here’s what every boater needs.
Whether you're heading out for an early morning fishing trip, planning a weekend on the water with the family, or navigating to your favorite sandbar, having the right apps on your phone or tablet makes your day smoother and more enjoyable. Thanks to our SportLink® Electronics Integration System, Sportsman owners already have the most advanced marine tech at their fingertips. Now, let’s pair that with some of our favorite apps for 2025.
1. Navionics
Your Go-To Chartplotter in Your Pocket
If you are away from your boat, this app gives you real-time GPS, sonar shading, tide and current info, and downloadable maps—all from your phone. It works seamlessly as a backup to your Garmin system and makes route planning or drift tracking easy.
2. Dockwa
Booking Slips & Moorings Has Never Been Easier
Dockwa takes the hassle out of finding marina slips or moorings. Whether you're traveling to Charleston, the Keys, or your local coastal town, you can book and pay for dockage right in the app—no calls or paperwork.
Why we love it:
•Thousands of marinas nationwide
•Easy digital reservations
•Great for trip planning with friends and family
3. Fishbrain
Community & Forecasting for Saltwater Anglers
Fishbrain blends social fishing with data. Check local catch reports, log your best days on the water, and discover what baits are working—all tailored to your area.
Pro tip: You can keep your fishing spots private while still tracking conditions.
4. Tides Near Me
Quick Tidal Info Without the Fluff
Get instant tide charts, sun/moon times, and reliable coastal info in seconds. If you fish creeks or navigate shallow bays, this app belongs on your home screen. When on your boat, your Garmin screen has tidal information at your fingertips built in from local tidal stations.
Check out our Bay Boats Built for Shallow Water Performance.
5. Windy
Advanced Weather for Boat Days
Windy is the most detailed marine forecast app we’ve seen. With wind direction, swell height, radar, and barometer data, it helps you decide if it’s time to head offshore—or stick to the flats.
Bonus: Garmin ActiveCaptain
Every Sportsman is rigged with Garmin electronics, the ActiveCaptain app connects your phone to your console. Transfer routes, stream Fusion audio, and keep your software up to date with just a few taps. Watch some of our tech talks for the tips and trips on using your Garmins.
Boating is about freedom—but it’s also about being prepared. These apps bring smart convenience to your time on the water.
Ready to take your boating experience to the next level?
Check out our full lineup of feature-rich center consoles and bay boats designed for families, anglers, and weekend adventurers. Questions about electronics integration or rigging your dream boat? Contact Us. — we’re here to help.
Tight lines and Following seas!