If you want to increase your chances of success in fishing, Navionics Boating is a professional tool that goes far beyond a simple map. Originally created for sailors, it has become a reference among sport fishermen by offering ultra-detailed nautical charts, depth information, underwater structures, and even real-time data on sea and lake conditions.
Navionics® Boating
What does Navionics Boating do?
Navionics Boating turns your smartphone or tablet into a true fishing dashboard. With it, you can precisely visualize the location of structural points—such as rocks, drop-offs, submerged riverbeds, and aquatic vegetation—ideal locations for fish concentrations. The app is especially useful for boat fishers, but it also helps shore anglers better understand the bottom's terrain.
Main features
- Detailed nautical charts: With contour lines, depths in meters/feet and hazard markings.
- SonarChart™: Creates high-resolution depth maps based on user-collected data.
- Daily Lake Level: Shows water level variations in dams and lakes (available in selected regions).
- Route plan: Trace safe and efficient routes across the lake or sea.
- Integration with equipment: Synchronizes with sonars and GPS from brands such as Garmin, Raymarine and Lowrance (in advanced versions).
Compatibility
Navionics Boating is available for Android It is iOS, working perfectly on smartphones and tablets. The interface is optimized for larger screens, so using a tablet on board is highly recommended.
How to use the app to fish
- Download the app and create a free account.
- Select region where you're going fishing — the app automatically downloads offline maps.
- Use the zoom to explore details of the water bottom: look for sudden changes in depth or structures.
- Activate the layer “SonarChart” to see areas mapped by other users.
- Mark your favorite points with pins to return later.
- Combine map information with your experience to choose the right bait and technique.
Free or paid?
- Free version: Provides limited access to maps for 30 days.
- Navionics+ Subscription (paid): Unlocks all maps, daily updates, and advanced features. Costs from R$ 30–50 per month, with annual and regional options. There are 14-day free trial.
Advantages and disadvantages
Benefits:
- Professional cartographic accuracy.
- Maps updated constantly.
- Works offline — essential in places with no signal.
- Ideal for fishing snook, peacock bass, traíra and other species that depend on structure.
Disadvantages:
- Slightly steeper learning curve for beginners.
- Paid subscription after trial period.
- Less focus on community and social reporting (unlike apps like Fishbrain).
Usage tips
- Download the maps before leaving home, while still having Wi-Fi.
- Use night mode to avoid blurring your vision at night on the boat.
- Combine Navionics with a good sonar for even better results.
- Save routes and waypoints to productive locations so you don't rely solely on memory.
Overall rating
With more than 4,8/5 With a presence in app stores and millions of users worldwide, Navionics Boating is considered the "gold standard" among nautical apps. Experienced fishermen praise its reliability and wealth of data. While it's not a social app, its technical precision makes it indispensable for those who want to fish strategically and safely.
If you're serious about fishing—especially in open water environments—Navionics Boating is an investment that can make all the difference between an empty day and a full box.
