Shorebound: Global Pen Pals

Send a message in a bottle. See who finds it. Write to people around the world!

Shorebound is a slow, calm alternative to instant social media. No feeds, no ads, no algorithms.

HOW IT WORKS
• Write a note - writing prompts included if you need inspiration
• Choose one of 10 bottles and release it into the sea
• Your bottle drifts, then washes ashore for another Shorebound user
• They face the same choice you will: keep it, or send it back to sea

EVERY BOTTLE TELLS A STORY
Each user can react and comment, and the thread travels with the bottle — later, users can read what earlier ones wrote, like it, and reply. Follow your bottle's journey: every country it reached and how far it traveled. Keeping a bottle saves it to your collection forever and ends its journey. Releasing sends it onward, but every release raises the chance it sinks. Sunk bottles can be revived with Revive Tokens.

PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD
Meet people from other countries and learn about everyday life, places and cultures from the people who live there.

BOTTLES WITH DIFFERENT PERKS
Unlock new bottle types as you earn XP. Some bottles can send a polaroid, a dual-camera photo, or a voice message. Others travel differently: faster, split in two, delivered near you, aimed at a country you choose, self-destructing after a single read, half as likely to sink, or worth extra XP for you and whoever keeps them.

COLLECT, CONNECT, TRANSLATE
• Earn XP when your bottles are kept, and unlock new bottle types
• Collect 233 country flags and a wall of polaroids; keep daily streaks and earn achievements
• One-tap translation for bottles and messages
• Continue the conversation privately when you both choose to connect after a bottle is kept
• Usernames and avatars; report and block tools, moderation, and age assurance at onboarding

WHAT USERS SAY
"The idea of messages slowly 'washing ashore' feels surprisingly calming compared to the instant nature of most social apps." - king, CN
"It's a unique form of community and collection building with the right amount of nostalgia." - ahmedsabeck, IT

PRICING
Shorebound is free to try, then a plan that fits - or lifetime access forever. No ads, ever. Paid access keeps the ocean free of bots and spam. Free trials when eligible. If your plan ends, you keep every bottle, conversation, and connection you've made, and can still message existing connections.

Subscriptions auto-renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the period. Payment is charged to your Apple Account; manage or cancel anytime in Settings. Any unused trial time is forfeited on purchase.

Privacy: https://shorebound.io/privacy/
Terms: https://shorebound.io/terms/
Support: https://shorebound.io/support/

Made for iPhone and iPad. Designed for iOS 26.