For kayakers, understanding your speed and distance is about more than just data. It helps you track your fitness progress, estimate trip durations, and navigate more effectively by correlating your paddling effort with the ground you’re covering. Knowing your average pace can be the difference between a leisurely paddle and a race against the sunset.
Fortunately, you don’t need expensive, specialized marine equipment to get this information. Your Android phone, paired with the right app or device, can become a powerful kayaking computer. This roundup looks at a variety of options, from dedicated handheld GPS units and fish finders with tracking capabilities to simple, purpose-built smartphone applications.
The Best Apps and Devices for Kayak Speed and Distance
- Portable Fish Finder, Wireless Bluetooth Smart 2 Beam Sonar Fish Finder
- Garmin 010-01550-00 Striker 4 with Transducer, 3.5″ GPS Fishfinder
- Garmin 010-02256-00 eTrex 22x, Rugged Handheld GPS Navigator
- MOTOR METER RACING W Pro Series 85mm GPS Speedometer
- Speedometer GPS Pro by RVI (Android App)
- Garmin GPSMAP 78sc Handheld GPS
- Speedometer GPS HUD by SmartMob (Android App)
- Waterspeed Pro – Kayak Speedometer (Android App)
Portable Fish Finder, Wireless Bluetooth Smart 2 Beam Sonar Fish Finder
This device is a great dual-purpose tool for the angling kayaker. While its primary function is to locate fish and show water depth down to 196 feet, its connection to your Android phone via Bluetooth also provides essential GPS data. The accompanying app can track your route, speed, and distance as you move, giving you a full picture of your fishing and paddling session.
Its dual-band sonar offers both a wide 45° angle for a broad view and a narrow 14° angle for precise tracking. With a rechargeable battery lasting over five hours, it is well-suited for typical kayak outings. This unit combines the utility of a fish finder with the tracking capabilities of a GPS app.
Garmin Striker 4 with Transducer, 3.5″ GPS Fishfinder
The Garmin Striker 4 is a robust, all-in-one unit built for marine use. Its high-sensitivity GPS is perfect for accurately recording your kayak’s speed and tracking the distance of your entire trip. You can mark waypoints at productive fishing spots or interesting locations and easily navigate back to them later.
Beyond GPS tracking, it features CHIRP sonar and ClearVu scanning sonar, which provides nearly photographic images of what is beneath your kayak. The device is waterproof (IPX7 rated) and designed with a simple, button-controlled interface, making it reliable and easy to use even in wet conditions.
Garmin eTrex 22x, Rugged Handheld GPS Navigator
For kayakers who also enjoy hiking, the Garmin eTrex 22x is an excellent multi-activity tool. This rugged handheld GPS comes preloaded with TopoActive maps that include routable roads and trails, making it useful for navigating waterways and planning portages. Its 2.2-inch sunlight-readable screen ensures clarity even on bright days.
It reliably tracks your route, speed, and distance traveled, storing the data for your review. As a dedicated GPS unit, it does not rely on a cellular signal, providing consistent performance in remote areas where a smartphone might not work.
MOTOR METER RACING W Pro Series 85mm GPS Speedometer
This device offers a classic, dedicated gauge for those who prefer an analog look with digital accuracy. The 85mm GPS Speedometer provides a clear, constant readout of your speed without needing to look at a phone screen. It acquires its signal directly from GPS satellites, ensuring accurate speed data for your kayak.
Built for marine environments, it is IP67 waterproof, rustproof, and features UV-resistant housing. It requires a 12/24V power source, so it is best suited for kayaks with a dedicated battery system, offering a permanent instrumentation solution.
Speedometer GPS Pro by RVI (Android App)
This Android app turns your smartphone into a fully-featured digital speedometer and trip computer. Speedometer GPS Pro uses your phone’s built-in GPS to display your current, average, and maximum speed, while also tracking total distance traveled. It is a straightforward tool focused on delivering essential performance metrics.
The app includes various themes and allows you to customize unit displays. Its clear, digital interface makes it easy to monitor your speed at a glance while paddling, providing a simple and effective software-based solution.
Garmin GPSMAP 78sc Handheld GPS
The Garmin GPSMAP 78sc is a marine-focused handheld GPS built to withstand harsh conditions. It is buoyant and waterproof, making it an ideal safety and navigation tool for kayaking. It provides precise speed and distance tracking and includes a built-in electronic compass and barometric altimeter.
This unit comes preloaded with BlueChart g2 coastal charts and a worldwide basemap, offering detailed information for coastal kayakers. Its rugged design and specialized marine features make it a reliable choice for serious kayakers who frequent open or coastal waters.
Speedometer GPS HUD by SmartMob (Android App)
This app offers a unique Heads-Up Display (HUD) mode that projects your speed and data onto the screen in a reversed format. This allows you to place your phone on your kayak’s deck, and with a transparent dashboard or box, the reflection will show your speed, making it easy to view without looking down.
In addition to the innovative HUD feature, it functions as a standard GPS speedometer, tracking distance and other trip statistics. This is a great option for kayakers who want a minimalist and accessible display while keeping their phone protected.
Waterspeed Pro – Kayak Speedometer (Android App)
As the name suggests, Waterspeed Pro is specifically designed for paddlesports like kayaking and canoeing. It uses GPS to measure your speed, distance, and pace, presenting the data in formats that are meaningful to paddlers, such as time per mile/kilometer.
The app can log your sessions, allowing you to review your performance over time. Its interface is tailored for use on the water, with large, easy-to-read numbers. For kayakers seeking an app built with their specific activity in mind, Waterspeed Pro is a strong contender.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Android Apps for Tracking Kayak Speed and Distance
When I’m looking for an app to track my kayak speed and distance, I focus on a few key things that make a real difference out on the water. It’s not just about finding any fitness tracker; it’s about finding one that understands the unique needs of paddling. The first and most critical feature for me is offline mapping. I often kayak in areas with spotty or non-existent cell service, so an app that downloads maps to my phone beforehand is a must. This ensures my route, speed, and distance are tracked accurately from put-in to take-out, without relying on a data connection.
Next, I pay close attention to the metrics the app displays. Basic speed and distance are a given, but I look for more. I want to see my average pace per mile or kilometer, my maximum speed on a fun sprint, and my total moving time versus stopped time. Some apps even offer a stroke rate counter, which is incredibly useful for technique work. The best apps present this data on a clean, easy-to-read screen that I can glance at without fumbling with my phone while paddling. A data-rich screen that’s also simple to parse is the sweet spot.
Battery life is another huge consideration. GPS tracking is a notorious battery hog. I always check if the app has a power-saving mode or allows the screen to be dimmed or turned off while still logging data in the background. The last thing I want is for my phone to die halfway through a long trip. Alongside this, I consider how the app handles data after my trip. Does it create a detailed track log I can review? Can I easily share my route with friends? Integration with larger platforms like Strava or Google Fit is a nice bonus, as it lets me keep all my fitness data in one place.
Finally, I think about the cost structure. Many great tracking apps are free, but they might show ads or lock advanced features behind a subscription. I don’t mind paying a one-time fee or a reasonable annual subscription for a superior, ad-free experience with robust features, but I’m wary of apps with overly expensive recurring costs. Testing out the free version of an app on a short paddle first is my go-to strategy to see if its interface and data presentation work for me before committing any money. Finding the right app ultimately comes down to how well it fits my specific paddling style and what information I find most valuable for improving my time on the water.
FAQ
How accurate are these kayak tracking apps?
The accuracy of your 8 best Android apps for tracking kayak speed and distance primarily depends on your phone’s GPS hardware. In good conditions with a clear view of the sky, modern phones can be surprisingly accurate, often within 5-10 meters for location. This translates to fairly reliable speed and distance data. Accuracy can decrease if your phone is stored in a waterproof case and then placed inside a sealed compartment, as this can interfere with the GPS signal. For the best results, I keep my phone in a clear dry bag mounted on the deck where it has an unobstructed view of the sky.
Will using a tracking app drain my phone battery quickly?
Yes, using GPS continuously is one of the most power-intensive tasks your phone can perform. You can expect significantly reduced battery life. To combat this, I always start with a fully charged phone and use the app’s power-saving features if available. I also carry a portable power bank in my dry bag for longer trips. Turning down your screen brightness and closing other background apps can also help extend your battery life throughout the day.
Do I need a cellular data connection for these apps to work?
For the core tracking functions of speed and distance, you do not need a data connection. GPS works independently. However, a data connection is required to download map tiles in real-time if you haven’t pre-downloaded an offline map for your area. Without offline maps or data, your track will typically just be drawn on a blank or very basic screen, but the fundamental GPS logging of your route, speed, and distance will still work perfectly fine.
Can I use my smartwatch instead of my phone?
Absolutely, and I often do. Many dedicated sports watches from brands like Garmin, Suunto, and Apple have kayaking or canoeing activity modes that track your route, speed, and distance. The main advantage is battery life and convenience on your wrist. The data can then be synced to your phone afterward. Some of the Android apps also have companion watch apps, but the experience is often more seamless with a dedicated sports watch.
What’s the difference between a general fitness app and one made for kayaking?
While a general running or cycling app can track your basic route, a kayak-specific app (or a multi-sport app with a kayak mode) often provides metrics that are more relevant to us. This can include things like stroke rate, a more appropriate pace calculation (e.g., minutes per mile instead of minutes per mile), and sometimes even integration with Bluetooth cadence sensors you can attach to your paddle. The user interface is also usually better optimized for the slower speeds and specific data points we care about.
Are there any safety features I should look for in these apps?
Some tracking apps include valuable safety features. I specifically look for ones that offer a “live tracking” or “beacon” mode. This allows me to share a link with family or friends so they can see my location in real-time on a map from their own browser. Another useful feature is the ability to set waypoints; I can mark my car’s location or a tricky spot on the river I need to remember for the return trip. While these apps are not a substitute for a proper PLB (Personal Locator Beacon), they add an extra layer of safety for casual outings.