Apple Watch Ultra 2 + Oceanic+ App Dive Computer Review
A sleek smartwatch that functions as a basic dive computer if you already own it. But not suitable for serious diving.
Overall Score: 5.7 / 10
Last updated: July 2025
I already owned the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for everyday use, so I was curious how it would perform with the Oceanic+ app in real-world dives. I tested it in both cold Midwest quarries and warm reef dives in Fiji. I never intended to use it as a primary computer, but I wanted to see how well it handled casual scenarios. The short answer: it’s fine for shallow vacation dives, but nowhere near a substitute for a dedicated dive computer.
Not really. With the Oceanic+ app, it can function like a basic computer, but it lacks essential features like air integration, gas planning, and physical reliability. It’s closer to a dive-logging smartwatch than a true dive computer.
No. The touchscreen and buttons are unreliable with gloves, and the interface isn’t glove-friendly. It’s also not built for environmental protection in cold or overhead environments.
Yes. To unlock full dive functionality including logging and advanced profiles, you’ll need a paid subscription. Without it, the features are very limited.
Only if you already own the watch. It’s not reliable enough to be your sole backup for deeper or more complex dives, but it can log casual reef dives if your primary fails.
No. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is great for fitness and everyday wear, but not worth it for dive use alone. A used Shearwater or similar computer is a much better investment.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Clean, modern interface | No air integration |
| Convenient for casual vacation dives | Lacks gas tracking and dive planning tools |
| Good as an emergency backup if already owned | Subscription required for full functionality |
Why I Tried the Apple Watch Ultra 2
I didn’t buy this watch for diving. I already owned it for daily wear and fitness tracking. But once I saw the Oceanic+ app on the App Store, I figured I’d test it on real dives. I brought it on both local quarry dives and a reef trip to Fiji to see how it handled different conditions. I never expected it to replace my main computer, but I wanted to understand its limits.
Verdict
If you already own the Apple Watch Ultra 2, the Oceanic+ app can turn it into a usable secondary or casual dive computer. It’s fine for guided warm-water dives or snorkeling. But I’d never trust it for cold water, overhead environments, or complex dives. It’s a novelty backup, not a serious tool.
Would I buy it again? Not for diving, no. But I still use it every day for non-dive purposes.
Who the Apple Watch Ultra 2 + Oceanic+ Is Best For
This combo is best suited for:
- Apple Watch users who want casual dive logging
- Vacation divers doing guided shallow reef dives
- Fitness-focused travelers who want one watch for everything
It’s not a good fit for:
- Divers who need air integration or gas planning
- Cold water, drysuit, or night diving
- Anyone relying on a single computer for safety
Deep Dive into the Score
Scoring System: Each category is scored out of 10 and weighted by importance. This model is used consistently across all gear reviews for transparency.
| Category | Score (0–10) | Weight | Weighted Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Function & Performance | 5.5 | 30% | 1.65 |
| Ease of Use | 6.0 | 20% | 1.20 |
| Versatility | 5.0 | 15% | 0.75 |
| Durability & Build Quality | 6.5 | 15% | 0.975 |
| Value | 5.0 | 10% | 0.50 |
| Brand Trust & Transparency | 6.0 | 10% | 0.60 |
| Total | 5.675 | ||
Rounded Display Score: 5.7
Deep Dive Score Explanations
- Function & Performance – 5.5: Fine for tracking basics, but missing gas integration, dive planning, and reliability redundancy.
- Ease of Use – 6.0: The app is modern but hard to use underwater. Controls are fussy and not intuitive in gloves or cold water.
- Versatility – 5.0: Warm water only. I wouldn’t trust it for drysuit or deeper dives, and it’s not useful for teaching or tech scenarios.
- Durability & Build Quality – 6.5: Solid for a smartwatch, but not robust enough for serious dive use. Better than expected for casual use.
- Value – 5.0: It only makes sense if you already own the watch. It’s not worth buying for diving on its own.
- Brand Trust & Transparency – 6.0: Oceanic has history, but Oceanic+ doesn’t yet inspire confidence for mission-critical diving.
Performance in the Water
- Screen & Visibility: Bright and readable in low viz. Touchscreen is unhelpful underwater. Side buttons and crown can trigger unintentionally.
- Data & Features: Tracks basic info (depth, time, NDL, ascent). No gas planning, compass, or customizable display fields.
- Navigation & Interface: Sleek but slow. Requires multiple taps to access useful info. Poor usability with gloves.
- Durability: Good for a watch, not for a dive computer. It’s waterproof but lacks the rugged redundancy serious divers expect.