Apple Watch Ultra 2 + Oceanic+ App Dive Computer Review

Last updated: July 2025

• Clean interface: Modern look with simple data fields
• Casual dive ready: Works for shallow guided dives
• Backup use: Acceptable emergency computer if already owned
• Subscription paywall: Full features require Oceanic+ plan
• No air integration: Lacks gas tracking for serious dives

Overall Score: 5.7 / 10 (Acceptable)

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.

Pros & Cons

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.

Rounded Display Score: 5.7 / 10 — Acceptable

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.