A Sandbanks Style Guide to Our Favourite 'Must Have' Paddling Apps:
Of course, watersports is often about escaping technology and the world of screens, but we can't deny the importance of some apps in assiting our paddling experience: whether that be from helping plan routes, to offering crucial safety at times of need. Here are our favourite apps for paddling in 2025!!
What3Words:
As always, we can't get enough of anything that brings us even more safety when we're out paddling... and What3Words does just this.
The perfect GPS app, that not only makes it easier for emergency services to find you, but even helps if you are trying to locate friends in remote spots... and even better, you don't need signal, so you are kept safe but still switched off from the risk of hours of doom scrolling Instagram!!
Go Paddling:
A long time favourite of ours, Go Paddling is a great app for finding inspiration for your next route, no matter where you are in the world. Free of charge, users can offer advice and insights of their favourite paddles, and each location can include information like parking availability, launch points, permit requirements, accessibility, amenities and photos.
Be sure to add routes to 'Trip Plan' and 'Favourites' section for your future trips
Paddle Logger:
We've all heard that mate who runs hark on about Strava... but we find it just doesn't cut it when it comes to watersports. But Paddle Logger remains our favourite for tracking paddling activities.
A like a lot of the tracking apps, it can be controlled using Siri or your Apple Watch so you don't have to get your phone out of your dry bag, and it directly links to the health app on your phone to track your exercise.
The 'Pro' Upgrade allows you send live updates to your friends, alert designated contacts if you get in to distress and take part in virtual training and races. Paddlelogger Pro costs £4.99 per month or £29.99 per year
Magic Seaweed:
Magic Seaweed is a long range weather app which was originally designed for surfers so combines usual weather information with water conditions. It includes weather, wind speed & direction, air & water temperature as well as surf height & swell period.
It also often has live data and photo reports at many popular locations.
The 'Pro' upgrade includes live web cams, extended weather reports, extended tide predictions & historic data. Pro version costs £6.99 per month or £49.99 per year.
My Tide Times
When planning for any paddleboard or kayak adventure on tidal waters (ocean, harbours, rivers) it essential to check what the tide is doing for you safety, convenience and enjoyment.
My Tide Times provides easy to read tide timetables across 9000 tidal stations in 40 countries up to 7 days in advance free of charge (upgrades are available for the super organised paddlers who want to plan further in advance!)
Automatically finds the nearest tide timetable to you when you open the app so you can keep up to date wherever you are. It also includes information on sunrise, sunset, moon phase and wind strength and directions.
Information can be downloaded so you can check it when you don't have connection!
Have you used any of these... or do you have any other preferences?? Let us know!!
Written by Kristy Hobart (Edited/Updated by John McCaig)
