The selection of apps ranges from social networks to large-scale monitoring of the anchor. The range of community apps in particular has grown in recent years. These networks thrive on direct communication between boaters and offer detailed information about harbours and bays.
As a proper practical test of all available apps and their functions is difficult to implement in practice, we have concentrated on analysing the app functions and evaluating app store ratings. This overview should help you to better assess the strengths and weaknesses of the individual systems and make the right choice for your personal requirements.
These are the ten best apps for harbour and anchorage searches:
ADAC Skipper
The ADAC Skipper app is the digital counterpart to the classic marina guide and offers detailed information on around 4,000 harbours in Europe, with a strong focus on German areas. In addition to information on infrastructure, the app offers a trip planner and weather data, which makes it a useful tool for many German motor boaters due to the sheer volume of telephone numbers and harbour information. However, a certain amount of caution should be exercised: The automatic routing in inland areas is considered error-prone and occasionally leads skippers through waters that are too shallow or in front of bridges that are too low. In addition, as with other apps, many helpful functions can only be used after purchasing the paid "Pro" subscription. The Pro version offers extended functions such as offline maps and detailed trip planning at a fixed annual price. ADAC members benefit from a discounted rate compared to non-members.
AnchorChainCalculator
The AnchorChainCalculator is a specialised analysis tool for skippers who are looking for a physically sound way of securing their anchorage. Based on the ship's characteristics, the application calculates the wind force at which an anchor could lose its holding power, taking into account water depth, chain lead, weight and shock absorbers. The app is particularly appreciated in the community for its mathematical accuracy and can be a valuable tool if you are anchored for a longer period of time. A one-off purchase costs around €8.99, with no additional subscription costs. The app helps motor boaters to minimise the risk of an anchor breaking loose in narrow bays by tailoring the physical forces precisely to the shape of the boat in question.
Anchor Pro
Anchor Pro (listed as "Anchor Watch / Alarm" on Android) is one of the most widely used Anchor apps and offers reliable remote monitoring. The principle is simple: one device remains on board as the transmitter, while the alarm is sent to the smartphone on land via Telegram message or email when the position changes. A major advantage of the Telegram connection is its high reliability, even with weak internet connections. The app costs €6.99 per year. Another convenient alternative from Germany is the app Anchor alarm which is characterised by particularly easy pairing via QR code and data storage on German servers (available as a lifetime version for €19.99).
Anchor Zone
Very simple and efficient app from the American sailing school NauticalED. To activate it, a windward area around the boat is marked by hand; as soon as the GPS position is outside the zone, the alarm is triggered. As no fixed circle or sector is specified, the alarm is well suited to warn of wind shifts or to mark rocks and shallows. Unfortunately, there is no scaling to adjust the sound circle to the chain length.
- only for iOS
- free of charge
Harbour guide
The harbour guide app is the digital twin of the "Havneguiden" books. The app offers verified descriptions from local experts, as well as exclusive Hydrographica special maps at a scale of 1:10,000, which show even the smallest details in the archipelago. A special feature is the photo navigation using high-resolution helicopter images, in which anchor lines and danger spots are precisely marked. Technically, the app is often described as unwieldy. There is no global offline mode, so harbours have to be saved individually, which can lead to loading errors if there is no network coverage. In addition, the image volumes require a high data volume and regular online verification can block access in dead spots. The annual subscription costs around €59, while monthly access is available for around €10.
Marine traffic
MarineTraffic is much more than a global map for ship observation. The app allows you to actively report your own position and view the position of other ships. However, this data is purely internet-based and remains invisible to conventional VHF AIS receivers. While the basic functions are free of charge, only the starter subscription (€119.99 per year) unlocks advanced functions such as active collision avoidance (CPA/TCPA) with alarm function and route planning. The functions are supplemented by an augmented reality (AR) mode, which superimposes ship information directly onto the live camera image of the horizon.
mySea
mySea is a digital booking system and an area guide that focuses almost exclusively on the Mediterranean region (especially Croatia, Greece and Turkey). The app makes it possible to reserve moorings in marinas, buoy fields or restaurant pontoons in advance. For motor boaters, the system offers the advantage of increased planning security on holiday, as moorings with suitable infrastructure can be secured directly via the platform. However, the geographical specialisation should be criticised: apart from a few partners such as Marina Ultramarin on Lake Constance, the app is largely meaningless for skippers on German waters due to a lack of data. In addition, the timeliness of the area tips and the availability of moorings depend heavily on the participation of the partner marinas and the community.
Navily
Navily has established itself as a community tool for cruise planning in European waters. With over 300,000 user comments on anchorages and harbours, the app offers a wealth of information that goes beyond traditional manuals. A key technical feature is the "protection score", an algorithm that calculates the safety of a berth based on geography as well as wind and swell forecasts. Berths can also be reserved directly via the platform in over 700 partner marinas. The free basic version requires a permanent internet connection. A premium subscription for €29.99 per year is required for offline mode and a 72-hour forecast. As the app does not provide precise depth contours, the use of an official nautical chart is mandatory.
Pompomela
Pompomela is a specialised app that has digitised harbour management on Lake Constance and uses a traffic light system to show in real time which harbour has a guest berth available for the respective boat size. The app is a real benefit for all boaters on the "Swabian Sea", saving them the often frustrating search for berths in the high season. However, the app is completely non-functional outside of Lake Constance. Users should also keep an eye on the battery level, as the application is very energy-hungry in operation and consumes considerable amounts of data in the background for map updates.
Savvy Navvy
Savvy Navvy impresses with a simple user interface and a special motorboat mode. This plans direct routes without crossings and takes into account water depths and obstacles. The linking of harbour information with weather and tide data is particularly valuable for mooring and anchorage searches: this makes it possible to immediately assess whether a bay is really protected in the current forecast. Another plus point is the fuel calculation, which estimates consumption, as well as the precise arrival time (ETA) including currents. However, users should check the route manually, as the algorithm sometimes leads close to shallows. The high energy consumption and additional costs for charts in Danish waters should also be noted.
David Ingelfinger
Volontär
