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Preview 3 platforms
iPhone 5 images
iPad 5 images
Apple Watch 4 images
What’s New Version 1.20.0
Adds support for GEFS Wave Ensemble data to supported buoy stations
Description
playbuoy brings unparalleled insight into NOAA buoy wave readings.
Detailed Swell Observations and Forecast. playbuoy analyzes NOAA buoy data with a customized algorithm to extract detailed swell information from raw buoy observations and wave models. This gives the most accurate breakdown of where swell is headed and when. With 16 days of forecasted swell data, you will always be informed of what to expect for whatever ocean activities you love. While other apps will show two swell components observed or forecasted, playbuoy will show up to five.
Beautiful and Meaningful plots. Easily compare the the current buoy readings with model forecasts to prepare and plan for how the forecasts may not be matching up with what is actually happening in the ocean. No other service can visualize the full directional wave spectra for both buoy observations and wave models at once.
Explore the latest buoy observations from all over the US and beyond to watch current weather events or plan for future activities. Or select your favorite buoys to keep the wave information you need the most a tap away.
Widgets and watch complications keep the latest data a glance away. Never miss a swell again.
Share plots and swell data with a custom share function to loop others in and make group plans for surfing, fishing, boating, or any other ocean activity you love.
Accessibility
ipadiphonemacrealityDevicetvoswatch
Version history 25 versions
Build 883898735v1.20.02026-03-30 00:20:38
Adds support for GEFS Wave Ensemble data to supported buoy stations
Build 880566898v1.19.02025-12-11 19:23:52
Support for Playbuoy's new NowCast wave model, coming to a buoy near you!
Build 879040820v1.18.02025-10-20 14:17:46
UI improvements for ios 26
Build 878895398v1.17.12025-10-14 16:38:43
Bug fixes for explore view
Build 878412330v1.17.02025-09-26 02:48:38
Updates for iOS 26
Build 871585898v1.16.02025-01-07 13:36:32
Fixes for the latest watchos
Build 868395474v1.14.02024-08-22 07:08:06
New!! You can now zoom in and out on the wave timeline using the pinch gesture. This helps focus in on specific dates of interest in the forecast or when viewing historical data
Build 868417228v1.15.02024-08-22 19:40:55
New! You can now zoom in on the wave timeline using the new magnification buttons, or using double tap to zoom, and long press to zoom out!
Optionally, you can still use pinch to zoom in and out but it is less precise.
Have fun!
Build 867531528v1.13.12024-07-17 04:43:40
Small bug fixes
Build 867497678v1.12.02024-07-16 01:44:51
Much prettier full spectra charts for directional wave data! Check it out by selecting the Full Spectra or Partitioned Spectra directional charts
Build 867516708v1.13.02024-07-16 16:01:27
* Fix a bug not allowing sharing plots from the home screen
* Small UI consistency fixes
Build 867410501v1.11.02024-07-11 18:51:40
Much improved Partitioned Frequency Charts!
Build 867259108v1.10.02024-07-05 03:14:03
Wave timeline now plots "Mean Wave Direction" and "Total Energy" of the sea instead of for the primary swell component
Build 865967852v1.9.52024-05-15 23:59:21
Updated styling of the Explore Map
Build 864841173v1.9.42024-03-31 23:05:21
Bug fixes for waves view
Build 864570914v1.9.32024-03-20 01:39:17
Small bug fixes
Build 864540386v1.9.12024-03-19 03:22:31
Improvements to plots and legends
Build 864559821v1.9.22024-03-19 18:30:23
Improvements for viewing swell component energy
Build 864486804v1.9.02024-03-15 20:50:09
*NEW* Now you will see the forecasted wave data in historical data views so you can go back in time to analyze conditions from virtual stations, or compare the forecast to the observed wave data at buoys all over the world. Try it out and see what patterns you can learn!
Build 863829343v1.8.12024-02-18 16:45:04
Bug fixes for widgets and watch complications
Build 863623523v1.8.02024-02-07 19:26:21
Expanded coverage! Now access over 700 stations worth of data worldwide with new Virtual Stations! These show forecasted wave data output by the GFS Wave model in key locations throughout the world even if there is no access to current buoy data. Try it out!
Build 863094251v1.7.02024-01-22 20:46:39
**NEW** Partitioned frequency spectra plot shows the frequency spectra of each swell component, give it a try!
Build 862819302v1.6.22024-01-11 04:20:43
Stability improvements, bug fixes to the historic wave data views
Build 861487791v1.6.12023-11-15 00:26:06
* Fixes to spectral footprint and partitioned spectra plots
Build 861481848v1.6.02023-11-14 22:14:26
* The Full Spectra plot is much better looking and much more performant
* A Swell Partitions directional plot has been added to visualize the specific spectra for each swell component in 2d
* A new Spectral Footprint plot to visualize where wave energy is coming from across the spectra, to help compare model and observation data
* Improvements to polar chart legends when using the Share functionality
No pricing data captured yet — comparisons appear once the app has paid storefronts or in-app purchases.
Availability 2 of 141 storefronts
| Region | Language | Price | Ratings | Avg | Version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US | en-US | Free | 16 | 5.0 | 1.20.0 |
CA | en-CA | Free | 0 | — | 1.20.0 |
Not available in: AE, AG, AI, AL, AM, AO, AR, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BE, BF, BG, BH, BJ, BO, BR, BS, BW, BY, BZ, CD, CG, CH, CI, CL, CM, CN, CO, CR, CV, CY, CZ, DE, DK, DM, DO, DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, FI, FR, GA, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GR, GT, GW, GY, HK, HN, HR, HU, IE, IL, IQ, IS, IT, JM, JO, JP, KE, KN, KR, KW, KY, LB, LC, LR, LT, LU, LV, LY, MA, MD, ME, MG, MK, ML, MO, MS, MT, MU, MW, MX, MZ, NA, NE, NG, NI, NL, NO, NZ, OM, PA, PE, PL, PT, PY, QA, RO, RS, RU, RW, SA, SC, SE, SI, SK, SL, SN, SR, ST, SV, SZ, TC, TD, TN, TR, TT, TW, TZ, UA, UG, UY, VC, VE, VG, XK, YE, ZM, ZW
Change log 29 changes · US
✎
releaseNotes updated
Adds support for GEFS Wave Ensemble data to supported buoy stations
✎
description updated
playbuoy brings unparalleled insight into NOAA buoy wave readings.
Detailed Swell Observations and Forecast. playbuoy analyzes NOAA buoy data with a customize
✎
subtitle updated
The motion of the ocean
✎
name updated
playbuoy
◆
Version 1.20.0 released
Adds support for GEFS Wave Ensemble data to supported buoy stations
◆
Version 1.19.0 released
Support for Playbuoy's new NowCast wave model, coming to a buoy near you!
◆
Version 1.18.0 released
UI improvements for ios 26
◆
Version 1.17.1 released
Bug fixes for explore view
◆
Version 1.17.0 released
Updates for iOS 26
◆
Version 1.16.0 released
Fixes for the latest watchos
◆
Version 1.15.0 released
New! You can now zoom in on the wave timeline using the new magnification buttons, or using double tap to zoom, and long press to zoom out!
Optionally, you can still use pinch to zoom in and out but it is less precise.
Have fun!
◆
Version 1.14.0 released
New!! You can now zoom in and out on the wave timeline using the pinch gesture. This helps focus in on specific dates of interest in the forecast or when viewing historical data
◆
Version 1.13.1 released
Small bug fixes
◆
Version 1.13.0 released
* Fix a bug not allowing sharing plots from the home screen
* Small UI consistency fixes
◆
Version 1.12.0 released
Much prettier full spectra charts for directional wave data! Check it out by selecting the Full Spectra or Partitioned Spectra directional charts
◆
Version 1.11.0 released
Much improved Partitioned Frequency Charts!
◆
Version 1.10.0 released
Wave timeline now plots "Mean Wave Direction" and "Total Energy" of the sea instead of for the primary swell component
◆
Version 1.9.5 released
Updated styling of the Explore Map
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Version 1.9.4 released
Bug fixes for waves view
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Version 1.9.3 released
Small bug fixes
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Version 1.9.2 released
Improvements for viewing swell component energy
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Version 1.9.1 released
Improvements to plots and legends
◆
Version 1.9.0 released
*NEW* Now you will see the forecasted wave data in historical data views so you can go back in time to analyze conditions from virtual stations, or compare the forecast to the observed wave data at buoys all over the world. Try it out and s
◆
Version 1.8.1 released
Bug fixes for widgets and watch complications
◆
Version 1.8.0 released
Expanded coverage! Now access over 700 stations worth of data worldwide with new Virtual Stations! These show forecasted wave data output by the GFS Wave model in key locations throughout the world even if there is no access to current buoy
◆
Version 1.7.0 released
**NEW** Partitioned frequency spectra plot shows the frequency spectra of each swell component, give it a try!
◆
Version 1.6.2 released
Stability improvements, bug fixes to the historic wave data views
◆
Version 1.6.1 released
* Fixes to spectral footprint and partitioned spectra plots
◆
Version 1.6.0 released
* The Full Spectra plot is much better looking and much more performant
* A Swell Partitions directional plot has been added to visualize the specific spectra for each swell component in 2d
* A new Spectral Footprint plot to visualize where
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