Tide time apps are essential for travellers heading to the coast — whether you’re planning a swim, a beach picnic, a coastal hike, or a surfing session. The right app helps you avoid flooded paths, dangerous riptides, or missed low-tide photo ops. In this roundup, we’ve selected the best tide time apps for global travel. Each app offers reliable data, clear interfaces, and added features like moon phases or beach conditions. From live tide charts to safety alerts, you’ll find everything you need to explore the shoreline confidently.
This guide focuses on international tide time apps with wide coverage and multilingual support. For those visiting specific countries (like the UK), you may also find region-specific beach and swim safety apps — we track these for future inclusion.
App availability note: If a download link looks broken on this page, it’s usually not an error on our side. Some apps are geo-locked in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and only appear if your account region or SIM matches the country. This is common where apps rely on local payment systems, regulations, or developer resources. Once you’re in the right region, the app will normally work as expected.
My Tide Times
My Tide Times is one of the most comprehensive and user-friendly tide time apps available, covering thousands of coastal locations across more than 50 countries. It’s especially valuable for travellers because it combines accuracy, global reach, and a simple interface. Whether you’re planning a morning swim, a ferry crossing, or a late-night beach walk, this app gives you the data you need to time things safely.
The app provides clear listings of upcoming high and low tides, moon phases, and sunrise and sunset times. For water sports enthusiasts, the inclusion of weather conditions adds another layer of planning convenience. Casual users will appreciate the uncluttered design that makes it easy to check conditions at a glance, while more experienced adventurers can dig deeper into tide charts and extended forecasts.
A major plus for travellers is the offline functionality. You can preload tide tables before heading into areas with no signal, such as remote coves, rural campsites, or while sailing. This feature makes My Tide Times stand out compared to other tidal forecast apps, which often require constant connectivity.
The app’s global coverage includes the USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and much of Europe. This makes it particularly useful for long-term travellers or those visiting multiple destinations in one trip. Whether you’re hiking coastal trails in Cornwall, surfing in California, or exploring fjords in Norway, My Tide Times adapts easily.
Pros include its accuracy, offline support, and huge location database. The only real limitation is that it focuses strictly on tides and moon data, without extras like surf or safety alerts. Still, for anyone needing a reliable tide chart app that works globally, My Tide Times is one of the most dependable options.
Tides Near Me
Tides Near Me is a lightweight, fast-loading tide time app designed to deliver instant results wherever you are. By using GPS, it automatically detects your nearest coastal station and displays the next high and low tides, current tidal status, and sunrise/sunset times. This simplicity makes it one of the most accessible beach tide apps for travellers who want accurate information without complexity.
Unlike some detailed tidal forecast platforms, Tides Near Me strips things back to essentials. The clean interface shows what you need at a glance, which is perfect when you’re standing on the beach and want to know if it’s safe to paddle, explore rockpools, or take a coastal walk. It also draws from authoritative sources, including NOAA in the United States and the UK Hydrographic Office, ensuring trustworthy data.
For spontaneous travellers, this app is especially handy. Families on seaside holidays, vanlifers pulling into a new town, or hikers planning a quick detour to the coast can all benefit from its immediacy. It’s also very light on data, making it ideal for those relying on roaming connections or limited eSIM plans.
While it doesn’t include the advanced features of apps like Magicseaweed, its reliability and accuracy are key strengths. You’ll always know the next tidal change without having to scroll through clutter or irrelevant forecasts. This makes Tides Near Me a favourite for boaters and ferry passengers too, since timing is crucial for boarding and docking.
The main pros are its speed, simplicity, and accuracy. The downside is the lack of extended forecasting or extras like wave height or weather. Still, as a straightforward tidal forecast app for quick checks anywhere in the world, Tides Near Me remains one of the most practical choices for coastal travellers.
Magicseaweed – Tide, Surf & Wave Forecasts
Magicseaweed is one of the most recognised tide time apps in the world, originally created for surfers but now widely used by anyone who spends time on the coast. With coverage of more than 2,000 beaches worldwide, it delivers much more than simple tide tables. The app combines reliable tidal data with surf forecasts, wave height, wind speed, and even water temperature — making it one of the most versatile tidal forecast apps available.
For travellers, the appeal lies in its detail and global scope. Whether you’re heading to Portugal’s Atlantic surf spots, Australia’s Gold Coast, or the beaches of California, Magicseaweed provides up-to-date charts and forecasts that help you plan your day. Even if you’re not a surfer, the app’s tide times, moon phases, and live webcams are invaluable for coastal hikers, ferry passengers, or families planning safe beach visits.
The interface includes clear multi-day forecasts and detailed graphs that make it easy to visualise how conditions will change throughout the day. This is particularly helpful for activities where timing is critical, such as photography at low tide or exploring tidal causeways.
While many features are free, some advanced tools require an account or subscription. Still, the essential tide data is available without cost, making it highly accessible to budget-conscious travellers. The community element is another bonus: users can view reports, photos, and ratings from other beachgoers.
Pros include its international coverage, comprehensive data, and extra surf-related features. The main drawback is that beginners may find the depth of information overwhelming, and some advanced content sits behind a paywall. Still, as both a tide chart app and a coastal safety tool, Magicseaweed is one of the most authoritative resources available.
Met Office – UK Coastal Forecasts & Sea Safety
The UK Met Office app is best known for its weather forecasts, but it also provides critical tools for coastal travellers. While not a dedicated tide time app, it offers tide surge warnings, marine weather forecasts, UV index readings, and sea surface temperature data. For anyone visiting Britain’s coastlines — from Cornwall’s surfing beaches to the rugged Scottish Highlands — it’s a must-have safety companion.
What sets the Met Office apart is its authority. As the official UK weather agency, its data is trusted by mariners, lifeguards, and government bodies. Travellers can receive push notifications for severe weather alerts, flood risks, and storm warnings, which makes it more than just another tidal forecast app. By combining this with a tide tracker like My Tide Times or Tides Near Me, you get a complete coastal planning toolkit.
The app is especially helpful for hikers and campers who need to consider both tides and broader weather patterns. It can indicate when conditions might be unsafe, such as high winds coinciding with spring tides. The interface is straightforward, with regional breakdowns and clear visual maps, making it easy for newcomers to understand.
While tide tables themselves are not the focus, the Met Office excels at context. It helps users interpret coastal conditions holistically, which is crucial for safety. Travellers who rely solely on tide apps might miss the bigger picture — such as a storm surge making low tide walks dangerous.
The pros of the Met Office app are its reliability, official data, and range of safety features. The main limitation is that it’s UK-focused, so less useful for international trips. Still, for visitors to Britain, pairing this with a dedicated tide chart app provides the best balance of convenience and safety.
Beach Finder by BeachAtlas
Beach Finder by BeachAtlas isn’t a traditional tide time app, but it complements them perfectly for coastal travellers. Instead of showing tidal forecasts, it helps users discover beaches worldwide based on personal preferences. You can search for quiet coves, family-friendly sands, naturist areas, or spots known for food and nightlife. For those planning a trip to the coast, this makes it one of the most practical companion apps alongside dedicated tide chart apps.
The app uses AI-enhanced beach data, crowdsourced reviews, and filters covering cleanliness, facilities, and popularity. This ensures that travellers can make informed decisions before heading out. For example, you might want a Blue Flag beach with lifeguards, or a less crowded area for a picnic — the filters make this easy to narrow down.
For international travellers, the global coverage is the real selling point. From Mediterranean resorts to hidden bays in Southeast Asia, Beach Finder can guide you to beaches you may not find in standard guidebooks. It also pairs neatly with tidal forecast apps like My Tide Times, so you can plan not just where to go, but also when the tides will allow you to enjoy it safely.
The design is visually rich, featuring high-quality images and detailed entries. Families can use it to identify kid-friendly facilities, while digital nomads may prioritise Wi-Fi access or proximity to cafés. Adventurers might seek out remote locations, then use a tide app to check access routes at low tide.
The pros of Beach Finder include its global scope, easy filtering, and integration with user reviews. The drawback is that it doesn’t provide real-time safety or tide data, so it works best in tandem with another app. For coastal exploration, it’s an excellent planning tool to complement your main tide time app.
AccessAble – Verified Accessible Places
AccessAble is a UK-based accessibility app that adds enormous value to coastal travel planning. While not a tide time app, it supports travellers with mobility needs by providing verified, on-the-ground access guides to thousands of locations, including beaches, promenades, cafés, and toilets. For anyone who needs step-free access, ramps, or detailed information about terrain, it is more comprehensive than standard review platforms.
The standout feature of AccessAble is its attention to detail. Each entry includes photos, measurements, and even surface descriptions, so users know exactly what to expect before arriving. This reduces the uncertainty that often accompanies coastal trips, where paths can be uneven and facilities unpredictable.
For UK visitors, the app is invaluable. From Cornwall’s sandy beaches to Brighton’s seafront, AccessAble helps travellers identify which spots are realistically accessible. Although its coverage is UK-focused, it sets a benchmark for accessibility apps globally, and similar platforms are likely to follow its lead. Travellers with reduced mobility, wheelchair users, or families with pushchairs will find it especially useful when combined with beach tide apps or tidal forecast apps. Knowing that a beach is accessible is only half the story — you also need to know whether the tide allows safe access.
The app’s pros are its verified information, level of detail, and user trust. The main drawback is its geographic limitation: international coverage is currently minimal. However, for travellers exploring the UK coastline, AccessAble is one of the most reliable tools available. Paired with a dedicated tide chart app, it helps ensure coastal days out are both safe and inclusive.
WheelMate – Find Accessible Toilets & Parking
WheelMate is a global accessibility app that complements tide time apps by helping coastal travellers plan longer, more comfortable days by the sea. Developed by Coloplast, it focuses on a very practical need: finding wheelchair-accessible toilets and parking spaces. With more than 35,000 listings worldwide, it’s particularly useful for road-trippers, campers, and families with access needs who are heading to coastal towns or beach resorts.
The app’s map-based interface makes it simple to locate facilities near your current position. For travellers relying on tidal forecast apps to time their day, WheelMate fills an important gap: ensuring that once you arrive, you’ll be able to access restrooms and parking without stress. This can make the difference between a short beach visit and a full-day outing.
The strength of WheelMate lies in its community-driven data. Locations are reviewed and updated by users, which helps keep the information accurate. While coverage is best in Europe, North America, and Australia, the growing database is expanding to more destinations. For travellers exploring less familiar regions, the reassurance of knowing facilities are available can be invaluable.
For coastal travellers with access requirements, this app pairs well with beach tide apps such as My Tide Times. Together, they allow you to check not only when it’s safe to visit a beach, but also whether the facilities you’ll need are nearby and accessible. This combination reduces uncertainty and makes seaside trips more enjoyable and inclusive.
Pros include its wide coverage, user-generated accuracy, and clear map design. The main limitation is that rural or remote areas may have incomplete listings, and facility quality varies by location. Still, for anyone who values peace of mind when planning coastal activities, WheelMate is one of the most helpful tools to use alongside a dedicated tide chart app.
Rupert’s Handy Travel Tips
Tide apps aren’t just for sailors — they’re handy for beach days, photography, and safety. Here’s how I use them on coastal trips:
- Download offline tables – Keep tide data saved for when you’re out of signal range.
- Set alerts – Use notifications to stay ahead of incoming or outgoing tides in your area.
- Cross-check sources – Compare app forecasts with local harbour authority info for accuracy.
- Think about light – Many apps combine tide data with sunrise/sunset times — great for fishing or photos.
- Check safety flags – Choose apps that highlight currents and rip tides if you’re swimming.
- Pair with weather apps – Tides are only part of the picture; add wind and storm data for safer planning.
Want to meet the reindeer behind our travel tips? Find out more in our page Who is Rupert?.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
My Tide Times and Tides Near Me are the most widely used and internationally available apps for checking live and forecasted tide times across multiple countries.
Yes. Tide apps can help you avoid dangerous high tides, plan low-tide beach walks, and understand coastal risks like riptides. Apps like Magicseaweed also include surf conditions and wave height.
Definitely. The Blue Flag Global app shows beaches certified for cleanliness and safety. For UK-specific checks, Swimfo (Android) and Beach Check UK provide localised water quality and crowding info.
AccessAble provides verified access guides across the UK, including beachside paths, toilets, and parking. WheelMate is a global alternative for finding accessible toilets and parking on the go.
Absolutely. Tides affect docking, mooring, and ferry schedules. Apps like Magicseaweed, My Tide Times, and Tides Near Me offer key planning info for safe travel on or near the water.
Yes. My Tide Times allows offline access to preloaded tide tables, which is especially useful in remote coastal areas without signal or when roaming abroad.
Further Reading & Related App Guides
Planning activities around the tides? These related guides will help you travel smarter, stay safe, and make the most of your time near the water.
- Keep an eye on the weather with our weather apps guide → Weather Apps Guide
- Stay connected on coastal trips with our eSIM apps guide → eSIM Apps Guide
- Get to waterfront destinations easily with our local public transport apps guide → Local Public Transport Apps Guide
- Secure stays near the coast with our last-minute hotel deal apps guide → Last-Minute Hotel Deal Apps Guide
- Track flights for connecting travel plans with our flight tracker & airport departure board apps guide → Flight Tracker & Airport Departure Board Apps Guide
Last Updated
This guide was last updated on 17 August 2025.
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