The Best Beach Apps

What a week it's been Ottawa! So cold, then so snowy - then so cold again! And I know we're not the only city that's been suffering.  There's only one way to cope - to dream of an escape to the beach. 

For a lot of people, the beach is where they go to take a break from technology but there's a ton of cool apps that can help you plan the trip of a lifetime - or at least keep you in good spirits until the snow melts. 

Trover_ - This app is perfect for anyone who wants to dive into some amazing travel photography and have a mini vacation right at their desk. You can search by topic, such as "beaches", or you can follow specific contributors who are traveling through a region you love. The nice thing about it versus Instagram is that all the content is travel related. 

Surfline - This comprehensive app covers all things surfing around the world, from waves and conditions to videos of competitions to profiles of pro surfers and news in the community. It's also really handy if you're not a surfer because you can get detailed information about what beaches have large waves and which ones are calm.

Pandora - Pandora is a kind of internet radio app, broadcasting songs based on your preference. You can even sort it into playlists! Equally fun on the beach or when you want to escape to Margaritaville at home. The free version is a bit heavy on the ads though.

Cocktail Flow -Planning a pool party? This cute mixology app allows you to sort cocktails by mood. "Chilin' is great for parties and "Spring" is focused on colorful, fruity drinks. There's also a big selection of non-alcoholic drinks.

Kindle - Whether you love to read on the beach or just want to curl up at home in Ottawa and relax with a book set in paradise, the Kindle app is perfect for taking your entire library with you on the go. Hint: I change my paper color to "sepia" so there's less glare when I'm in sunshine.