Many small improvements make for a big update

May 21, 2026 • 2 min read

Better charts, GPX import, and Apple Watch upgrades.

For many boaters, the boating season has just begun, and with the season comes upgrades to Orca. 

The Orca fleet has been doubling in size for several years in a row, and one of the reasons for this rapid growth is that Orca is constantly improving by acting on feedback from Orca boaters around the world.

Over the past weeks, several upgrades have been released – big and small – which are all results of direct feedback from Orca boaters. Read on to learn more about them and how to make the most of them.

Better Charts

Orca’s charts have historically mostly been built from official chart data provided by national hydrographic offices. In most areas, this underlying chart data is well-suited for the recreational fleet with detailed data in nearshore waters, but in certain areas, it can be lacking.

In early May, improved chart data started rolling out across several boating regions. The updates include more detailed bathymetry, harbour facilities, and shorelines – and they span harbours and islands in southern Norway, to inland lakes in the Netherlands, the UK, and the Mediterranean.

To the left, an example of Orca chart improvements around Knarberg harbour, which includes improvements to bathymetry, shoreline, and harbour details. The image to the right is the official data as provided by the Norwegian Hydrographic Office.

Orca’s chart updates in May cover 2,300 square kilometers of bathymetry, with the biggest contributor being a near-complete upgrade of the IJsselmeer and Markermeer in the Netherlands.

These updates are powered by Orca’s in-house cartography surveying and processing. More information on future expansions, along with details on how Orca conducts chart improvements, will arrive in a separate blog post in the future. 

A better Apple Watch experience

Orca on your Apple Watch is a convenient way to control your autopilot when you are away from the helm.

Orca for Apple Watch lets you control your autopilot and view instrument data.

The Apple Watch experience in Orca has received significant upgrades that make it faster to use, more reliable, and less taxing on the battery. It also connects to your boat’s autopilot faster, making the overall experience more enjoyable.

GPX Import

Importing routes and spots from GPX files is a great way to add other boaters’ recommendations and tips to your own Orca account, or to transfer your content from a different navigation system to Orca.

When importing a GPX file, Orca will now let you view the content of the file before you begin the import, making it easier to know exactly what you will be importing.

The GPX import is also now able to import longer GPX routes, which comes in handy when importing long tracks, such as other boaters’ harbour approaches.

Start the season with a modern navigation experience

Beyond the updates above, many smaller improvements have been added to Orca, from better chart animations on iOS devices and consistent decimal rounding across instruments and longbook, to better instrument editing on Orca for macOS. For a full list of changes, head over to the release notes.

The boating season has just begun, which is also a perfect time to upgrade the tools you rely on most. If you are looking for a truly modern navigation experience that helps you make better decisions when planning and when you are on the water, look no further than Orca.

Orca Display 2 makes planning and navigation fun and effortless.

Upgrade today via the Orca Store to get a 30-day satisfaction guarantee and free express shipping.