After comparing all of the different surfing brands and models, we decided that the Rip Curl Search GPS Watch is the best surf watch for serious surfer’s that want cutting edge technology. When reviewing the watches we looked at their ability to report tide and weather information, GPS tracking, performance data, style, battery length and the strap durability. We also found picks for different types of stylish womens surf watches, kids surf watches, and cheap surf watches.
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Surf Watch | Rating |
|---|---|
Best Surf Watches
Rip Curl Search GPS Watch (A1111) Review
Verdict
- Provides the biggest range of tidal surfing locations worldwide of any watch with the most accurate and up to date information.
- Super detailed surf performance tracking data of your latest surfing sessions that really allows you to analyze what you’re doing in the waves.
- Syncing to the cloud and the social integration is fun for connecting with your friends.
- 5 year warranty, so if there are any issues the watch can easily be returned.
- Some users have experienced with the phone not connecting to the satellite properly and software bugs. To fix this, it is recommended upon purchase of your phone that you update it’s software to the latest version to overcome these issues.
- Expensive – as this phone provides the largest amount of data of any surfing watch, it also comes with the highest price tag as well.
- Currently only links up with iPhone App as there is no Android app. You would need to upload to a desktop computer instead.
- When in GPS mode the battery life of the watch is reduced.
Tidal & weather information
1,360 locations worldwide – the most locations of any watch. Satellite connection updates your watch with the most accurate tidal date.
Performance tracking
- GPS tracking enables you to track: number of waves, top speed, total distance and surf time.
- This data can be uploaded to your phone, computer or the cloud where you can review your performance.
- Community features allows you to compare and share this data with friends on Facebook and Instagram plus see what other surfer’s are doing.
Build quality & battery
Made with water resistant silicone band and buckle with an acrylic dial display. 6 month battery but when in GPS mode only 10 hours of life so must be charged between surfing sessions.
Looks, style and display screen
Looks just as good as any surfing watch available and comes in a number of different color options. However, it’s the performance tracking details that sets the watch apart from it’s competitors.
Verdict
Get this Rip Curl surf watch if you want the latest cutting edge technology and performance tracking abilities. However, keep in mind that some users have reported software bugs and so you should update the software on your phone before use to overcome these issues.
Rip Curl’s Search GPS is a great innovative leap in surfing technology which will hopefully become the standard for lower end watches in a few years time as the technology improves.
Despite it’s faults, it’s still the best surfing watch currently available.
Nixon Surfing Watch – Unit 40 Review
Verdict
- High resolution screen that you can easily glance at whilst in the water for a quick reading.
- Uses higher quality building materials so the watch is more durable and the battery lasts longer.
- More expensive on some websites compared with other watches in this range.
Tidal & weather information
230 beaches worldwide for the watch to be used internationally. Accurate tidal graph that’s displayed in high detail.
Performance tracking
Wave counter for tracking your performance. Dual time watch settings for training yourself in heats.
Build quality & battery
Stainless steel central piece with silicone band. Extra long lasting battery.
Looks, style and display screen
High resolution screen display that’s easier to read compared with the lower resolution competitors.
Verdict
This Nixon surf watch is aimed at people that want the best surfing watch in the middle of the range. You get higher standard of performance, plus better features and build quality.
Vestal Brig Surf Watch Review
Verdict
- Attractive looking watch with a stylish display that’s easy to read, you’ll get lots of compliments.
- Provides international tidal data for beaches around the world.
- Basic training mode for tracking your performance.
- Some users have reported having issues with the battery.
- Other users have stated having problems with the strap wearing down.
Tidal & weather information
Tide tracking for over 200 beaches worldwide, plus digital tide graph.
Performance tracking
Interval timer and ‘Heat Mode’ for training.
Build quality & battery
Plastic case and dial window. Polyurethane strap band with OKTOLOCK buckle closing system.
Looks, style and display screen
Screen has a backlight. Comes in a range of colors including black, white, pink, red and green.
Verdict
This Vestal surf watch is for surfers that need tidal data but don’t want too many extra fancy features.
Freestyle Shark Tide Watch Review
Verdict
- Accurate tidal information, allows you to set 2 time zones.
- Hydro pusher buttons are easy to use in the water and screen is easy to see.
- Long term warranty.
- Large watch face (makes seeing the display in the water easier but others find this to be too large otherwise).
Tidal & weather information
Provides tidal charts and graph data for 150 beaches globally. Sunset and sunrise data included.
Performance tracking
Dual time display, countdown timer and alarm.
Build quality & battery
Silicone strap band with buckle closing design.
Looks, style and display screen
Black with backlight display.
Verdict
The Freestyle Shark Tide Watch is a popular surfing watch that provides all of the standard surfing information you need to keep track of your local (and international) beach conditions.
Rip Curl Womens Watch – Winki Oceansearch Review
Verdict
- Accurate tidal information.
- Sized to fit female wrists.
- Minimalist and easy to read display.
- Female styled aesthetic colors.
- May need to read the manual to custom program the watch as the navigation isn’t self-explanatory.
Tidal & weather information
Tide data for over 200 beaches worldwide for 10 years to come + tidal graph display plus details of the moon phases.
Performance tracking
Stopwatch and countdown timer for timing sessions.
Build quality & battery
ABS plastic case with polyurethane band.
Looks, style and display screen
Available in feminine colors such as pink, purple and turquoise. Backlight for easy night time display.
Verdict
If you’re a female surfer or just a woman that spends a lot of time around the ocean then the Rip Curl Winki Oceansearch Watch is for you.
Casio G7900-1 GShock Review
Verdict
- Very affordable compared to most surfing watches.
- High quality build quality that doesn’t break down easily.
- Comfortable and easy to wear.
- Long lasting battery.
- Simplified tidal data with no performance tracking.
Tidal & weather information
Tidal graph feature that can be manually set up along with phases of the moon being displayed.
Performance tracking
N/A
Build quality & battery
Built to take an extra pounding with it’s shock resistant design.
Looks, style and display screen
Backlight, bulky with a very masculine design.
Verdict
This is a high quality surfing watch that will tell you the time and be able to withstand a lot of wear and tear. However, the trade off is that the tidal data is minimal and no performance tracking data is provided.
What to consider when buying surf watch brands
It should go without saying, but all surf watches need to be waterproof. Aside from this, the other criteria you need to consider when choosing a surfing watch includes:
Tidal & wave information
Normally, you have to open up a computing device and search online for surf reports. But with a good surfing watch you can just glance at your wrist instead to find out what the wave height and water temperature are.
Also, once in the water, you can also just look at your watch to see when the high/low tide is and whether the tide is going out or coming in – something that can sometimes be difficult to tell just by looking at the beach.
So look to see if the watch provides the following information: wave height, water temperature and tidal information.
Strap quality and durability
The strength of the watch strap is extra important because lot’s of wear and tear occurs when surfing. Your watch needs to be able to withstand any wipeouts and poundings it might take from the waves. You also need the strap to be made from a material that doesn’t degrade when exposed to water for long periods of time. This is why generally surfing watch straps are made from waterproof materials such as resin, silicone or polyurethane.
Weather information
Being able to see the weather forecast and sunset times is helpful for surfers as it enables them to plan out their day.
But if you’re a kite surfer or wind surfer then the most important weather information on a surfing watch is that of the wind. Some watches can tell you the direction and speed of the wind so your time isn’t wasted before you decide whether to head down to the beach or not.
Batteries and charging
Pretty much all of the high end surfing watches are digital and not analogue. However, because the surfing watch must be waterproof you can’t use a normal USB charging cable because the plugin hole would impact the water resistance. Instead most surfing watches have a specially adapted, waterproof USB charger or can be unscrewed for their batteries to be replaced. If you have the budget, some high end surfing watches are even solar powered.
Location and GPS tracking
Surfer’s watches that have GPS tracking on them will automatically update your location on the watch so that you receive the latest local surfing and wave information.
Other watches require you to manually change your country and location within the watch so that you get the correct tidal information (just like you would when manually changing your time when entering a different time zone).
Performance tracking
High end surf watches are able to track the number of waves that you catch, how high those waves were, how long your surfed for, the location of your surfing practice and more.
To do this, the watch will sometimes have an accelerometer and a gyroscopes. The information from these devices can then be linked up over wifi so that your watch communicates with your phone or computer. You can then view all of this data and compare it with other surfers.
Consider this criteria if you’re really looking to get into the raw data of improving your surfing.
Style & Color
This factor is more based on personal preferences.
Most surfing watches are unisex and can be worn by either men or women. However, companies like to brand their colors and aesthetics to appeal to different types of customers, so they get branded as men’s or women’s surfing watches even though there’s no real difference.
The main real difference between surf watches for men and womens surf watches is usually just the color, but some also have slightly smaller straps sizes as well.
Price
As you spend more money on your surfing watch, you get more of the fancy features mentioned above. However, cheap surf watches are still available if you only need the most basic settings or just want to be able to tell the time and kids surf watches are also usually pretty cheap as well.
Out of all the watches reviewed, this is the best one due to the latest cutting edge technological features it provides.
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