Best Surf Watches in 2024

Surfing is more than just a sport; it’s an exhilarating way of life that requires precision, timing, and optimal conditions. A reliable surf watch is indispensable for surfers, providing essential information like tide times, wave forecasts, and moon phases. These features ensure you catch the best waves and stay safe in the water. The rise of smart surf watches has further enhanced the surfing experience by integrating GPS, fitness tracking, and environmental sensors.

In this guide, we’ll explore the best surf watches of 2024, reviewing key features to look for such as water resistance, durability, battery life, and smart functionalities. We’ll also compare top brands like Garmin, Apple, Nixon, and Casio, helping you find the perfect watch tailored to your surfing needs. Whether you’re a seasoned surfer or a beginner, this guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview to help you choose the best surf watch for your adventures on the waves.

• Key Features to Look for in a Surf Watch
• Top Surf Watch Brands
• Best Surf Watches of 2024
   1. Garmin Instinct 2 Solar Surf
   2. Apple Watch Ultra 2
   3. Nixon Base Tide Pro
   4. Rip Curl Search GPS 2
   5. Casio F-91W
   6. Casio G-Shock GW-7900-1ER
   7. Garmin Venu 2
   8. Nixon Rival Digital
   9. Timex Allied Tide
   10. Casio G-Shock G-LIDE
• Surfing with Smartwatches
• Why Surfers Wear Watches
• Conclusion
• FAQs

BEST OVERALL

BEST FOR DURABILITY

★★★★
Real-time wind and swell reports, wave tracking; ideal for optimizing surf sessions

BEST FOR EASE OF USE

★★★★☆
Fitness tracking with waterproof capability; versatile for health-focused surfers.

BEST APPLE SMARTWATCH FOR SURFING

★★★★★
Water-resistant with GPS and surf apps; excellent for tracking waves, tides, and personal performance

BEST BUDGET OPTION

BEST AFFORDABLE TIDE

BEST VERSATILE

★★★★☆
Tide graphs and moon data; withstands rough surf conditions while providing essential information.

BEST FOR TIDE TRACKING 

BEST SURF-SPECIFIC FEATURES

BEST FOR FITNESS TRACKING

Case Size: 45 x 45 x 14.20 mm
Band Width: 22 mm QuickFit™ compatible
Weight: 53 grams
Display Size: Custom, two-window design; 0.9″ x 0.9″ (23 x 23 mm)
Display Resolution: 176 x 176 pixels
Lens Material: Corning® Gorilla® Glass

Short review

The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar, Surf-Edition is a top contender for best surf watches in 2024, boasting impressive features tailored specifically for surfers. This rugged GPS outdoor watch is designed to endure harsh ocean conditions with its durable build of fiber-reinforced polymer case and Corning® Gorilla® Glass. The 45mm model, named "Bells Beach," offers solar charging capabilities, ensuring extended battery life. Ideal for surf enthusiasts, it includes specialized surfing features like tide data, surf activity tracking, and the Surfline Sessions™ feature for capturing and reviewing wave rides. TracBack routing provides navigational assistance, making it perfect for ocean adventurers. With a water rating of 100 meters, it’s built to withstand deep dives and high waves. Whether you're at Bells Beach or any other surf spot, the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar keeps you connected, informed, and ready to catch the perfect wave.

✅ You Need Surf-Specific Features- The watch includes comprehensive surf tools like tide data to understand ocean conditions, surf activity tracking to log the number of waves surfed, speed, and distance, and Surfline Sessions™ which records your rides for later review.
✅ You Need Advanced Health Monitoring - Features like advanced sleep and stress tracking, hydration monitoring, and health snapshots can offer valuable insights into your overall well-being and readiness for future activities

❌ You Have Smaller Wrists - The 45mm case size is relatively large, which might feel bulky and uncomfortable on smaller wrists, potentially interfering with comfort during surfing.

Case Diameter: 49mm
Case Material: Titanium (rugged and corrosion-resistant)
Display Type: Always-On Retina LTPO OLED
Glass Type: Flat sapphire crystal display
Water Resistance: 100 meters (swim-proof) and EN13319 certified for recreational scuba diving up to 40 meters

Short review

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is an exceptional choice for surfers seeking a high-performance, durable smartwatch. Featuring a rugged titanium case and a Blue Alpine Loop, this GPS + Cellular timepiece ensures reliable performance in harsh marine environments. Its precision dual-frequency GPS provides accurate location tracking, while the customizable Action Button offers quick access to essential functions. Water-resistant up to 100 meters and EN13319 certified, it's built to handle intense water activities.

Benefit from extended battery life, lasting up to 36 hours, with options for low power settings. The extra-bright Always-On Retina display remains visible under direct sunlight, perfect for checking wave forecasts and tide times. This carbon-neutral watch also includes advanced safety features like Crash Detection and a powerful 86-decibel siren. Ideal for surfers, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 combines functionality with eco-conscious design, standing out as one of the best surf watches available in 2024.

✅ You Need Accurate GPS - Employs both L1 and L5 frequencies for highly accurate location tracking. This is crucial for surfers who want precise data on their surfing routes, distance covered, and performance metrics.

✅ You Value Extended Battery Life - Offers up to 36 hours of normal use and up to 72 hours in low power mode. This is beneficial for long-duration activities such as full-day surf trips or multi-day excursions

❌ You Only Need Basic Surf Functions - If your primary requirement is basic surf tracking and tide information, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 may offer more features than you need, making less complex and less expensive alternatives more appealing.

Movement: Custom digital module with tide info for 550 beaches.
Band: 24mm silicone, double locking looper.
Dial: Negative LCD tide graph.
Case: 42mm, recycled ocean plastics, 100m water resistance.
Water Rating: 100 Meter / 10 ATM.

Short review

When looking for the best surf watches in 2024, the NIXON Base Tide Pro A1307 stands out as a top choice for both men and women. This high-performance surf watch combines function and durability, featuring a 42mm digital EL backlight screen and a robust 24mm PU band with a double locking looper for added security. Its waterproof timepiece is perfect for surfing, diving, and fishing, boasting a 100-meter/10 ATM water rating.

The NIXON Base Tide Pro is custom-built with pre-programmed tide information for 550 beaches worldwide, ensuring you stay informed on the tides, sunrise/sunset data, and wave conditions. It includes essential surf tracking features like multiple alarms, a countdown timer, wave counter, and a chronograph. Made with #tide recycled ocean plastics, it’s an eco-friendly surf watch that values our oceans. Whether you are a professional surfer or a water sports enthusiast, this tide watch keeps you connected and ready for adventure.

✅ You Need Comprehensive Tide Info- For surfers who rely on accurate tidal information, this watch comes pre-programmed with tide data for 550 global beaches. This ensures you always have access to essential tidal information, making it easier to catch the best waves.
✅ You Value Practical Features - he Nixon Base Tide Pro offers a range of useful functions, including time, date, sunrise/sunset data, alarms, a countdown timer, wave counter, and chronograph. These features are particularly beneficial for surfers who need to keep track of various metrics.

❌ You Need Advanced Smart Features - This watch lacks the smart capabilities found in more advanced surf watches, such as GPS tracking, fitness tracking, and smartphone notifications. If these features are important to you, you might want to consider other options.

Case Material: ABS Hardened Plastic.
Case Size: 43mm.
Display: Digital display with a backlight for easy reading.
Additional Features: Includes features such as moon phase
Battery: Rechargeable battery with a charge cable included.