I will be discussing the Best Openwater Swim Watch. I will focus on those great for tracking and performing well in aquatic environments.
With these watches, you get more than just advanced GPS capabilities – they also have accurate heart rate monitors, among other things, which makes them perfect for professional swimmers, too!
Here are my top picks for durable, precise and technologically advanced open-water swimwear:
Key Point & Best Openwater Swim Watch List
| Watch Model | Key Feature |
|---|---|
| Garmin Swim 2 | Advanced swim metrics and underwater GPS |
| Apple Watch Series 5 | ECG and fall detection |
| Garmin Forerunner 945 | Multi-sport tracking with advanced analytics |
| Polar Vantage V | Comprehensive training and recovery insights |
| Garmin Fenix 5 Plus | Topographic maps and music storage |
| Suunto 9 | Ultra-long battery life with smart tracking |
| Coros Pace | Lightweight design with advanced GPS accuracy |
| Suunto Race | Built-in GPS with 4GB music storage |
| Coros Vertix 2 | Multi-GNSS support and long battery life |
| Suunto 7 | Wear OS with sports and smart features |
10 Best Openwater Swim Watch
1. Garmin Swim 2 Watch
The Garmin Swim 2 Watch is the best openwater swimming watch because it has features made just for swimmers.
It uses high-tech GPS to keep track of distance, speed and even strokes when you are in the ocean or lake.
The optical heart rate monitor ensures accurate data without needing a chest strap, while its rigid, waterproof construction ensures it will last through any water.
Besides, this also offers safety measures like crash detection and real-time location sharing to feel safe while training or alone in such an environment.
Garmin Swim 2 Watch Features
- Sophisticated GPS tracking to calculate exact distance and path
- Monitoring the heart rate underwater for precise cardiac information
- Metrics of swimming such as stroke count and SWOLF (swimming efficiency)
- Strong water resistance engineered for open-water settings
- Features of safety like incident detection and live tracking
2. Apple Watch Series 5
Although the Apple Watch Series 5 is well-known for having many health and fitness tracking features, it does not have any specific features for openwater swimming.
Instead, its swim tracking functions were designed with pool use in mind; they measure things such as lap count, distance covered per stroke and stroke efficiency.
Water-resistant up to 50 meters deep means this device can be used in shallow areas of natural bodies of water. Still, it might lack accuracy or reliability compared with a dedicated openwater swim watch.
If you need precise GPS tracking and advanced metrics while swimming through lakes or oceans, perhaps another model like Garmin Swim 2 has been made just for such specialized needs.
Apple Watch Series 5 Features
- ECG app to keep an eye on your heart
- Drown detection for keeping safe while swimming
- Water resistant to 50 meters, so you can even use it in shallow openwater
- Track your swims in the pool with automatic lap-counting
3. Garmin Forerunner 945 Watch
The Garmin Forerunner 945 is an excellent watch for openwater swimming. It offers a lot of features designed specifically for serious swimmers.
The watch uses advanced GPS technology to accurately track distance, pace and route even in va, st openwater settings.
It also has an underwater working heart rate monitor that gives insights into cardiovascular performance.
This Forerunner 945 is meant for casual swimmers and professionals, and it has a wide range of sports and health monitoring capabilities, including VO2 max estimate and training load focus.
Moreover, it can survive through many hours of swimming due to its robust construction and long-lasting battery life; therefore, this should be the number one choice among open water lovers.
Garmin Forerunner 945 Watch Features
- Various satellite systems to improve GPSGPS precision in open water.
- Complex swimming statistics such as efficiency of stroke and distance per single movement of arm while swimming.
- Subaquatic heart rate supervision gives instant cardiovascular information
- Enduring battery life that can sustain long hours of swimming
- Topography charts coupled with navigation equipment for planning paths.
4. Polar Vantage V Watch
The Polar Vantage V Watch device is outstanding for open-water swimming as it tracks well and has excellent analytics.
It can give exact figures about distance covered, pace and stroke metrics thanks to GPS and a precise heart rate monitor even in the open water.
The numerous sports profiles on this watch and the recovery tracking feature give a complete performance picture of tiredness levels.
Besides being waterproof and robust enough for prolonged swims, it is also designed with toughness so that you can always rely on it during your most extended swim sessions.
If an athlete needs focused training observations or wants to maximize results when swimming in the sea/ocean, they should go for Polar Vantage.
Polar Vantage V Watch Features
- Precise GPS tracking for distance measurement and route
- Underwater wrist heart rate monitoring
- Advanced metrics provide comprehensive training and recovery insights
- Battery life is long enough to last through extended swim sessions.
- Sport profiles can be customized for different swimming conditions.
5. Garmin Fenix 5 Plus Watch
The Garmin Fenix 5 Plus is a perfect open-water swim watch for athletes designed for versatile and accurate use.
It has this advanced GPS capability that can track the distance, pace and even route of swimming while in open water bodies.
The watch also comes with a heart rate monitor, which works when submerged in water, providing insight into one’s cardiovascular performance.
With built-in topographic maps, music storagee capacity, and strong enough to withstand harshunderwater conditions,, the Fenix 5 Plus would be perfect for long hours of swimming challenges.
Considering that it is durable and has multi-sport features, swimmers will undundoubtedly willnd this reliable gadget useful during their outdoor actactivitiesepecially those involving watersports.
Garmin Fenix 5 Plus Watch Features
- Multiple satellite positioning systems support precise GPS tracking in open-water
- Navigation and route planning aided with built-in maps showing landforms
- Accurate performance metrics are achieved through monitoring heart rate underwater
- While swimming, playlists can be listened to from internal storage for music
- Swim analysis has been enhanced to include stroke count and SWOLF
6. Suunto 9 Watch
The Suunto 9 is an excellent open-water open-water swim watch for endurance athletes who need consistency and long battery life.
This watch can accurately measure the distance, pace, and route taken while swimming in large open waters through its advanced GPS and GLONASS tracking system.
It also has an underwater wrist-based heart rate monitor that provides swimmers with important information about their cardiovascular metrics.
The Suunto 9’s durability and long-lasting charge allow it to survive extended periods submerged in water and other harsh conditions.
Intelligent features such as customizable sports modes and navigation tools that cater specifically towards serious open-water swimmers set this product apart from others in its category.
Suunto 9 Watch Features
- Many GNSS aid for precise GPS tracking in open water
- Very long battery life with several power-saving modes
- Sophisticated heart rate monitoring, which is functional underwater.
- Customizable sports modes that provide detailed swimming statistics
- A robust and rugged design for use in severe environments.
7. Coros Pace Watch
Regarding openwater swimming, the Coros Pace is not a wrong choice as it combines some advanced features with strength.
This makes the watch very good for different water conditions since it has accurate GPS tracking, which monitors distance, pace and swim routes.
It has a heart rate monitor that works underwater, giving more detailed information about how your heart performs while swimming.
One thing about Coros Pace is that it is lightweight but can stay for long without dying off due to its strong battery life, ensuring comfort during long swims.
Nevertheless, other watches have many more features than this one but still deliver the necessary performance metrics plus durability needed by any swimmer who needs an affordable open-water watch.
- GPS tracking allows accurate measurement of swimming distance and route.
- It can also track heart rate underwater to give insights into cardiovascular health.
- For prolonged usage, the device is designed to be lightweight and comfortable.
- Swimming for extended periods should not be a problem as it has a long battery life.
- You can set different sports modes as you like, including openwater swimming.
Coros Pace Watch Features
- GPS tracking allows accurate measurement of swimming distance and route.
- It can also track heart rate underwater to give insights into cardiovascular health.
- For prolonged usage, the device is designed to be lightweight and comfortable.
- Swimming for extended periods should not be a problem as it has a long battery life.
- You can set different sports modes, including ope,and open -watering profiles.
8. Suunto Race
The Suunto Race is a strict watch for open-water swimming, and it is built for athletes looking for advanced ways to track their performance.
It uses accurate GPS technology to measure the distance, pace and route even in huge open water areas.
The watch also has an underwater heart rate monitor that can tell you about your cardiovascular condition while swimming.
This device is robust and water-resistant; therefore, it will never let you down in any aquatic environment that may come your way.
Besides being durable, this race offers customizable sport modes and detailed swim metrics, thus making it the best option among swimmers who need all-around tracking of their training sessions to improve performance on the big day.
Suunto Race Features
- Precise Swim Distance and Route Measurement by GPS Accurate Tracking
- Detailed Cardiovascular Insights through Underwater Heart Rate Monitoring
- Waterproof and Durable, as well as Designed for Extreme Weather Conditions
- Specific Swim Metrics with Customizable Sport Modes
- Improved Training and Technique with Advanced Performance Analytics
9. Coros Vertix 2
The Coros Vertix 2 is a great swim watch for people who like open water swimming because it has many features and can do well in races.
It has multi-GNSS support, which means it can track your distance, speed and the path you took while swimming in any open body of water.
Even underwater, this watch can keep track of your heart rate and give you accurate information about how hard you’re working out.
The Vertex 2 was designed with tough swimmers in mind – it’s durable enough to withstand rough conditions and has a battery life that will last through those long-distance swims.
Not only does this thing help you not get lost when you’re out at sea, but it also acts as an all-in-one sports tracker, so whether or not someone identifies themselves as such, there’s no better option for them than this one!
Coros Vertix 2 Features
- Multi-GNSS support means it can access GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and other navigation services to provide accuracy even in open water.
- It should also have extended battery life for longer swimming sessions and adventures.
- Underwater heart rate monitoring is another feature that could give more accurate cardiovascular data.
- In addition to that, advanced navigation tools with route planning and waypoints would be beneficial.
- Finally, it must be designed ruggedly and water-resistant to withstand extreme conditions.
10. Suunto 7
The Suunto 7 remains a flexible smartwatch that can do water swimming, but it caters more to sports and has an intelligent feature combination.
Openwater swimmers will appreciate its provision of GPS tracking to monitor swim distance, pace, and route.
Its accuracy in providing swim metrics and being water resistant is good enough. However, this may not equal up to specialized depths found in specific swim watches due to its intelligent features. Focus still serves as an excellent alternative, especially for someone looking for solid swimming tracking capabilities on a multi-purpose device.
Suunto 7 Features
- GPS tracking to track swimming distance and route mapping
- Integration of Wear OS for innovative features and app compatibility
- Waterproof up to 50 meters, suitable for shallow waters
- Tracking swimming with automatic lap counting and metrics
- Availability of different third-party apps for better tracking while swimming
How To Choose The Best Openwater Swim Watch
When opting for the most appropriate swim watch for open water, there are a couple of things to consider:
GPS Accuracy
Make sure your watch is equipped with multi-GNSS support and reliable GPS tracking functionality to provide you with detailed information about distance, pace and route while swimming in open water.
Heart Rate Monitoring
You should choose a timepiece that has an underwater heart rate monitor. This will enable them to keep track of their cardiovascular performance during swimming sessions.
Water Resistance
The level of water resistance indicated on the watch should withstand being submerged in wet conditions for long periods without getting damaged or malfunctioning.
Battery Life
You need to select a device whose battery can last throughout your training sessions and even cover the entire duration of your swims without requiring constant recharging.
Build Quality
Go for watches designed using rigid materials like rubber or plastic because they tend not only to survive extreme weather changes but also offer protection against accidental knocks while engaging in open-water activities such as diving deep into lakes or seas where debris may hit against one’s arm frequently.
Features/Functionality
Stroke count; Swim metrics; Navigation tools; Compatibility with sports apps,, e.g., Strava, etc
Comfort/Fit
Ensure comfortability, especially when worn over long hours such as during competitions.
Price/Value
Consider price vis-à-vis quality features offered by different models within various price ranges.
Conclusion
To choose the best swimming watch for open water, consider factors like GPS accuracy, heart rate monitoring, water resistance and battery life.
For example, the Garmin Swim 2 or Forerunner 945 have advanced swim metrics and are durable; on the other hand, Suunto9 or Coros Vertix 2 have longer-lasting batteries and more robust tracking features.
If you are looking for intelligent functionality and swim tracking, maybe something like a Suunto7 or an Amazfit Stratos could be worth considering.
Ultimately, it all comes down to finding that perfect balance between performance, durability and features that will work best for your swimming needs in any given situation.
