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TOOL GUIDE · WEATHER · 5 MIN READ

WindFinder — spot forecasts and real station data.

Where Windy excels at big-picture modelling, WindFinder shines at a specific location. It blends real weather-station data with high-resolution forecasts to give accurate spot conditions — exactly what you need when deciding whether to leave a harbour or wait a day.

UPDATED MAY 2026NO AFFILIATE LINKS
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Price · Free · Pro ~$10/yr
Platforms · Web · iOS · Android
Best for · Coastal spots, harbour decisions
Strength · Real station-data overlays

What makes it different.

Real station data

An extensive network of anemometers at harbours, marinas, beaches and headlands. You see what the wind is doing right now at your exact spot — invaluable for deciding whether to anchor, reef, or stay put.

Superforecast

WindFinder's proprietary blend of model outputs with local corrections. For coastal spots with tricky topography (narrow channels, headlands, funnelling valleys) it often beats raw model data.

Forecast tables

Clear scrollable hour-by-hour tables rather than an animated map. Scan a full week at a glance without scrubbing a timeline — some sailors prefer this for quick go/no-go calls.

WindFinder vs Windy.

ScenarioChecking harbour conditions
WindFinderBest
WindyGood, less local
ScenarioPlanning a 5-day passage
WindFinderSupplement
WindyBest
ScenarioComparing weather models
WindFinderLimited
WindyBest
ScenarioReal-time wind at a spot
WindFinderBest
WindyLess prominent
ScenarioWave and swell analysis
WindFinderBasic
WindyBest
ScenarioQuick go/no-go decision
WindFinderBest
WindyGood

Tips for sailors.

  1. 01

    Bookmark your regular spots.

    Saved harbours and anchorages load instantly — perfect for a quick morning check.

  2. 02

    Read station history, not just forecasts.

    If the station shows 20 kn but the forecast said 12, the model is under-predicting — and it might keep doing so.

  3. 03

    Use the wind rose for approaches.

    Historical wind roses show direction/speed distribution over months — useful for choosing which side of an island to anchor.

  4. 04

    Combine with Windy.

    Windy for the big picture and passage planning; WindFinder for the final go/no-go at your specific location.

Free vs Pro.

Free

  • ·Superforecast for most spots
  • ·3-hourly data for 7 days
  • ·Real station readings
  • ·Wind roses and statistics
  • ·Contains ads

Pro · ~$10 / yr

  • ·1-hourly forecast resolution
  • ·Extended 10-day forecasts
  • ·Ad-free experience
  • ·Better map overlays
  • ·Priority weather alerts
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