Navig8 is a sailing route planner that overlays real-time weather data (wind, tides, waves, sea currents) onto your route so you can make informed passage-planning decisions.
Key features include:
Yes. Navig8 is available both as a web app and as a mobile app (iOS & Android). Core features are the same on both platforms, with data synchronisation between them. The mobile version additionally enables real-time location tracking and sharing and anchor alarm. Mobile app can also work in offline mode.
The mobile app can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play under the name "Navig8 Sailing".
No. You can plan short routes (up to 50 nautical miles), fetch wind, currents and waves data, run basic route optimisation, track your location in the mobile app, view the route summary with graphs and charts, and export/import routes as .json files — all without an account. An account is required for:
Web Enable Edit mode in the Route menu, then click on the map to place waypoints.
Mobile Enable the pencil (edit) icon in the route toolbar, then tap the map.
Web Right-click a waypoint marker to remove it. This can also be done from the context menu on the left side, where you can manage route waypoints.
Mobile Tap a waypoint marker — a remove button will appear.
Yes. With edit mode active, drag any waypoint marker to a new position.
As a result of adding a new waypoint, or removing or moving an existing one, the direct line between two points passes over land. You need to adjust your waypoints to avoid the land collision.
When adding a new waypoint, the app will automatically try to adjust the route to avoid land. This may not always succeed — in that case, manual adjustment of the waypoints is required.
Web Route menu → Clear.
Mobile Route toolbar (navigation icon) → bucket icon.
Yes. The maximum total route length depends on your plan:
The maximum length of a single segment (between two consecutive waypoints) is also limited: up to 50 Nm for Guest, 100 Nm for FREE, and 200 Nm for PRO. If you exceed the limit, the app will show an error message and block the waypoint placement.
Open the Weather menu and toggle the data type you want. Route-specific data (wind, currents, waves, tides) requires at least one route segment or the user's location (mobile only).
Weather forecasts are sourced from global numerical models and are typically updated every 6 hours. The fetch time is shown in the sidebar after loading. You can find a detailed description at Open-Meteo and Marea.
Wind speed is colour-coded on the route according to the Beaufort scale: Beaufort 0 = white, 1 = light blue, 2 = cyan, 3 = light green, 4 = green, 5 = lime, 6 = yellow, 7 = gold, 8 = orange, 9–12 = red.
Yes. In the Route menu, use Select route start time to offset the forecast by 0–48 hours from the current moment. The weather at each waypoint is then calculated based on the estimated time of arrival.
The optimizer analyses forecast wind, currents and waves along your route and adjusts the route so that the estimated passage time is minimised for your selected yacht model. It also enables analysis of individual legs of the passage, taking into account the weather forecast expected at the time of sailing each one.
The following data is taken into account during optimisation: yacht polar (speed vs. wind angle), wind speed and direction, sea currents, and wave height and period — all forecast for the expected time of being in each segment.
Speed through water depends on your boat's polar diagram — the relationship between boat speed, wind speed, and wind angle. Select your yacht in the Yacht menu before optimizing.
Yes. After optimization, enable Edit route in the Route menu. You can then freely add new waypoints or remove/move existing ones. After modifying the route, re-optimization will be required. You can also use Restore optimized route, which restores the waypoints produced during the last optimization.
Mobile GPS location tracking starts automatically when the app launches. Your position appears on the map as a moving dot and a coordinates pill is shown in the top-left corner. The app will request device permission on first use. To disable GPS tracking for the current session, open Settings and tap Disable GPS — this is not saved as a default, so tracking resumes automatically on the next launch. If signal is lost, the app retries continuously in the background.
Web Yacht menu → toggle Location. This shows the position uploaded by the mobile app, provided it is logged into the same account and has location sharing enabled.
Login required There are two ways to share your location from the mobile app:
navig8.pro/share/…) that anyone can open in a browser to see your live position — no login required. Links expire automatically and can be revoked at any time from the same screen. To show the device and yacht location, location sharing must be enabled.Web Yacht menu → Yacht selection. You can also choose a default yacht model for your account in the Settings menu.
Mobile You can select a yacht when you tap the route optimization button. You can also choose a default yacht in the main Settings window → yacht selector at the top.
The yacht model affects route optimization speed calculations. If you have an account, you can save your preferred yacht so it is automatically selected for future optimizations.
The anchor alarm monitors your position while at anchor. If your device drifts beyond a set radius from the drop point, an audible and visual alarm triggers.
Location tracking must be active. Then:
Mobile Location toolbar → anchor icon. The alarm is set at your current position. A circle on the map shows the watch radius.
You can adjust the radius (up to 150 m) in Settings.
Very important: make sure the app has background location permission and your device sound is not muted.
The app requests background location permission on mobile. To ensure the alarm works reliably with the screen off, do not force-close the app — let it run in the background. Dimming the screen should not affect the alarm, however every device behaves differently, so it is worth testing before relying on the anchor alarm in practice.
Important: to keep anchor alarm reliable, allow background activity for the app in your phone settings. Some phone models may still apply battery-saving limits that are outside of the app's control.
Mobile The logbook automatically records your track while sailing. Each trip stores a series of location points with timestamps, total distance sailed (in nautical miles), elapsed time, and weather data (wind, waves, currents) interpolated for each recorded point (when available).
Location tracking must be active. In the Location toolbar, tap the record button (circle icon) to start a new trip. The button turns red while a trip is being recorded. Tap it again to stop and save the trip.
During an active trip, the app creates automatic logbook entries every 1, 5, or 15 minutes (depending on your settings) to keep a regular timeline of your track and conditions.
Yes. The app uses background location permission to keep recording GPS points even when the screen is locked. Make sure background location permission is granted and do not force-close the app during a trip.
Important: on some phone models, the operating system may limit background activity (for example due to battery optimization). Navig8 cannot fully control those vendor-specific limits, so test logbook behavior in a safe moment before relying on it.
Recorded trip points are saved locally on your device first, then synced to the cloud automatically when an internet connection is available. You can view past trips from the logbook panel in the Location toolbar.
The app monitors GPS signal continuously. If updates stop arriving, it automatically retries — similar to how navigation apps handle signal loss. Recording resumes seamlessly once GPS is restored. No manual action is needed.
Login required
Web Settings menu (⚙) → Save planned route.
Mobile Settings menu → Save planned route.
You will be prompted to give the route a name. Routes are linked to your account and accessible from any device.
Login required
Web Settings menu (⚙) → Load planned route.
Mobile Settings menu → Load planned route.
You will be prompted to give the route a name. Routes are linked to your account and accessible from any device.
Routes can be exported to a .json file and imported back without an account. Use Export route / Import route in the settings menu.
The mobile app supports offline route caching. After optimizing a route, save it to the offline cache using the floppy-disk icon in the route toolbar. The cached route — including all weather data (wind, currents, waves) — can then be viewed without an internet connection, allowing you to check the passage plan even at sea without connectivity.
Settings modal → Restore offline cache (only visible when a cached route exists).
MobileWhen the network is unreachable, the app will attempt to verify waypoint placement using simpler maps (for FREE users) or downloaded bathymetry maps (for PRO users). Offline drawing mode bypasses these water checks so you can sketch a route without connectivity.
To enable offline drawing without verification: Settings → Enable offline drawing. When active, an amber Offline drawing: ON status pill is shown at the top-left of the map. Use this mode only when the backend is genuinely unreachable — routes drawn offline are not validated against land/water and may contain segments over land.
Mobile Yes. Your language, yacht model, and preferred map centre are cached locally on the device and applied immediately on app start — even before the app connects to the backend. Settings are automatically refreshed from the server after login.
Mobile Here is a quick reference:
| Feature | Offline | Online |
|---|---|---|
| View map tiles (base map) when not previously used | ✗ | ✓ |
| View map tiles (base map) when previously used | ✓ | ✓ |
| View cached route & weather | ✓ | ✓ |
| Draw route (offline drawing mode) | ✓ * | ✓ |
| Water-checked route planning | ✓ ** | ✓ |
| Fetch weather / tides | ✗ | ✓ |
| Route optimisation | ✗ | ✓ |
| GPS location tracking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anchor alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| App settings (language, yacht, map centre) | ✓ cached | ✓ |
| Bathymetry maps | ✓ *** PRO | ✓PRO |
| Marinas & Ports | ✓ *** PRO | ✓PRO |
| Nearby AIS ships | ✗ | ✓PRO |
| Cloud save / load routes | ✗ | ✓ |
| Location sharing | ✗ | ✓ |
* Without water checks — segments may cross land.
** In offline mode, water checks are limited — segments may cross land.
*** Only if previously downloaded to device memory.
The Settings button border indicates connectivity: blue = backend reachable, orange = checking, red = offline.
Open the settings / user menu and tap Login. On the login screen, select Register and provide your e-mail and a password. Confirm your registration by clicking the link in the e-mail message.
Open Settings and choose your preferred language. You can save this setting to your account (if logged in) or on your device.
Open account status by tapping your account e-mail in the menu, then tap the upgrade button to switch to PRO.
PRO costs 9.99€ per year, and unlocks the features marked as PRO in the comparison table below.
You can delete your account at any time, including all data. Open account status (tap your account e-mail in the menu) and choose account deletion.
Use our contact form — we read every report.
Bathymetry maps show water depth contours overlaid on top of the standard nautical chart (based on © MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors © MapTiler OpenSeaMap). They help you identify shallow areas, understand the seabed profile in an anchorage, and plan approaches to harbours.
Navig8 bathymetry maps are created from data provided by EMODnet (European Marine Observation and Data Network), the leading source of marine data for European waters.
Currently the Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Baltic Sea and the Atlantic Ocean along Europe (including waters around the British Isles). Coverage will be expanded to additional regions over time.
PRO Bathymetry maps are available exclusively to Navig8 PRO subscribers. The Bathymetric maps button in the Map menu is disabled for guest and FREE users.
Mobile PRO Yes. In the Bathymetric maps modal, each map has a download button (cloud icon) on the right side of its row. Tap it to download the map to your device's local storage. Once downloaded:
The Marinas layer highlights ports and marinas directly on the map as dedicated points of interest. It helps you quickly find nearby harbour options while planning a route or navigating along the coast.
PRO Marinas are available only for Navig8 PRO users. For Guest and FREE accounts, the Marinas option in the Map menu is disabled.
Open the Map menu and toggle Marinas on. When at least one marinas map is active, a small status badge with a check mark appears in the top bar to confirm the layer is enabled.
Marina markers are shown only from zoom level 7 and above (the same threshold as bathymetry overlays). If you are zoomed out, the app shows a hint asking you to zoom in.
Mobile Tapping a marina marker opens its details and recenters the map camera on that marina for easier inspection.
Web Clicking a marina marker opens a popup with available marina information.
Seamarks are navigational aids — buoys, beacons, lights, and other marks — displayed on the map alongside marina markers. They are sourced from OpenSeaMap and help you identify channel markers, safe-water marks, and other aids to navigation when planning your approach or passage.
Seamarks are shown automatically alongside marina markers — there is no separate toggle. Open the Map menu and enable Marinas to display both marina markers and seamarks on the map.
The seabed layer shows the composition of the ocean floor — sediment types such as sand, mud, rock, and gravel — overlaid on the nautical chart. Knowing the seabed type can help you choose a better anchorage, since holding quality depends strongly on the substrate.
Seabed data is sourced from EMODnet (European Marine Observation and Data Network), the same source used for bathymetry maps.
Currently Europe — Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, Baltic Sea and Atlantic coastal waters. Coverage matches the bathymetry data regions.
PRO Seabed data is available exclusively to Navig8 PRO subscribers.
AIS (Automatic Identification System) is a tracking system used by ships. When enabled, Navig8 shows nearby vessels on the map as orange markers, updated approximately every 2 minutes. This helps you stay aware of vessel traffic in your area.
Location tracking must be active first. Then:
Web Map menu → Show vessels in my area.
Mobile Map menu (map-legend icon) → Nearby AIS vessels.
The line shows the vessel's Course Over Ground (COG). It is only displayed when the vessel is moving faster than 0.5 knots. A stationary vessel is shown as a dot without a direction line.
Yes. Tap or click a vessel marker to open an info panel showing the ship name, MMSI number, position, speed over ground (SOG), course over ground (COG), and the age of the data.
The data timestamp is shown in colour: grey when recent, red when older than 30 minutes.
PRO AIS vessel display is available exclusively to Navig8 PRO subscribers. The option is not visible for Guest and FREE accounts.
PRO AIS data come from the Marinesia service and are subject to its availability.
| Feature | Guest | FREE | PRO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum route length | 50 Nm | 100 Nm | 1 000 Nm |
| Maximum single segment length | 50 Nm | 100 Nm | 200 Nm |
| Wind, currents & waves forecast | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Basic route optimisation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Route summary with graphs & charts | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Location tracking (mobile app) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Offline mode (mobile app) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Export / import route as .json file | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cloud route saving & loading | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tides data (Marea) | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Location sharing (account & shareable links) | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Logbook (trip recording) | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bathymetry maps | – | – | ✓ |
| Marinas & Seamarks | – | – | ✓ |
| Seabed data (experimental, Europe) | – | – | ✓ |
| Nearby AIS vessels | – | – | ✓ |
| Advanced route planning & optimisation algorithms | – | – | ✓ |
Navig8 stores only the data necessary to provide the service. The following information may be held on our servers:
.json files are never sent to our servers.All data above is visible only to you and, for shared-location links, to people who receive that link.
You can delete your account with all associated data at any time from the account status screen.
No browsing behaviour, advertising data or third-party tracking is collected.
Mobile By default, no. However, you can enable anonymous crash and error diagnostics to help us identify stability issues and fix bugs faster.
You can disable this at any time in user settings: Error reporting (Sentry) → OFF.
Mobile GPS tracking starts automatically when the app launches so your position is shown on the map. You can disable it at any time via Settings → Disable GPS. Such location tracking is not shared with anyone.
Mobile Location sharing — where your position becomes visible to others via account or a shareable link — is a separate opt-in step that is never activated automatically. Logbook recording is also always a manual opt-in.
Web The web app does not access your device GPS directly. It can only display a location uploaded by the mobile app when sharing is explicitly enabled.