4 tide apps for beach walks and rockpooling: what to compare
A useful tide app for beach walks or rockpooling should make the date, place and predicted tide easy to check. GoodTides adds configurable activity windows; Tide Guide, Tides Near Me and TidesPro offer other ways to explore tide information. None can certify that a stretch of coast is accessible or safe.
I make GoodTides. This article compares published documentation, not device tests, and was reviewed on 20 October 2026. The shortlist reflects different planning approaches rather than an independent accuracy leaderboard.
Four apps, four starting points
| App | Planning starting point | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| GoodTides | A place, activity and configurable tide rule | Does the predicted window fit my free hours? |
| Tide Guide | Tide charts | Do I prefer reading a timeline? |
| Tides Near Me | Nearby tide/current stations | Is the station relevant to my intended place? |
| TidesPro | Tide and solunar information | Is that combination useful for my plans? |
1. GoodTides: when you want to fit a plan into your day
Choose a saved place, select Beach walk or Rockpooling, and inspect the tide rule. GoodTides can show matching windows across seven days and filter by the hours you have free. You can compare favourite coastal spots without repeating the same lookup from scratch.
Treat the activity name as a convenient starting point. A preset is not a verified local access rule, and an “open” window means only that your configured rule matches the prediction. This article recommends no height threshold, time buffer or crossing plan. Site-specific official advice belongs outside that calculation.
GoodTides also keeps optional Tide Moments: a photo, place, date, note and available saved tide/sea information in a private library on your device. That is a memory, not a live observation report. Missing historical tide details stay missing rather than being invented for an older photo.
Live tide data and the full experience require GoodTides Plus, available as an annual subscription or a one-off lifetime purchase. Eligible introductory offers and current prices appear in the app. It requires iOS 26, with a watchOS 26 companion. The app supports English, German, Spanish, Dutch and Portuguese; French is not currently supported.
2. Tide Guide: when you prefer a chart
Tide Guide documents tide charts and planning views. It offers another presentation to consider. Some features require Pro; check the current offering.
3. Tides Near Me: when you start with a station
Tides Near Me documents tide/current stations. Consider how its station selection fits the place you intend to visit.
4. TidesPro: when solunar information interests you
TidesPro combines tides and solunar information. Check its available locations and current app offering against your needs.
A useful check before leaving home
Start with a specific place and date, not “the coast” as a whole. Confirm the displayed time zone and whether a height is measured against the same datum as another source you are consulting. In GoodTides, inspect the prediction point and freshness label. A cached forecast is not a new measurement.
Keep three separate questions in your plan: what the tide prediction says, what weather and waves may do, and what official local access advice says. Do not translate a matching tide rule into a general “good conditions” verdict. A clear screen can still be showing incomplete information for the decision you face.
The RNLI’s tide guidance explains tidal cut-off risk. Consult local official information as well. These apps are planning aids, not navigation instruments or assessments of swimming or crossing safety.
Common questions
Is the lowest tide automatically the right time?
No universal time follows from an app’s tide curve. Your purpose, location and official local guidance matter. This comparison does not prescribe an activity window.
Can I plan without giving GoodTides location permission?
Yes: search by place name. Coordinates still leave the device to obtain forecasts; purchases and analytics also use services described in the privacy policy.
How do I configure a window?
Use the GoodTides window guide. If you prefer a wrist check, compare the Apple Watch tide apps. See GoodTides on the App Store and its support page before choosing.