Can You Take a GoPro Scuba Diving?

GoPro is by far the most popular action camera brand in the world.

With millions of cameras sold around the world, the GoPro range includes some of the most durable and technologically advanced cameras money can buy. However, the question is can you take a GoPro scuba diving?

GoPro cameras are action cameras that promise to shoot amazing footage while you’re on your adventures. This is why GoPro offered owners underwater protective housing so that you can take your GoPro scuba diving with you.

GoPro has a line of water-proof cameras that are ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling. They also offer underwater cases that allow you to take their land cameras to depths of 200 feet. Either configuration will allow you to take photographs and video while scuba diving.

Interested in learning more about underwater photography? Here’s everything you need to know about scuba diving with a GoPro.

What Is a GoPro Camera?

GoPro is a leading action camera brand that specializes in making durable cameras. These cameras are built to be incredibly rigid so that you can take them with you wherever you go. GoPro also designed a bunch of accessories and mounts so that you can attach them to your car, bike, surfboard, and even your helmet for some impressive shots.

GoPro released its first camera back in the early 2000s and has steadily upgraded them over the years. While the first cameras were not completely waterproof, GoPro did release waterproof cases that you could buy separately. These cases allowed you to take the GoPro to a depth of 60 meters underwater.

Can You Take a GoPro Scuba Diving?

GoPro cameras have evolved over the last few years, with the latest models allowing you to take them underwater without a case. This means that GoPros are perfect for recreational diving. If you have a HERO5, HERO6, HERO7, HERO8, or HERO9, you can use the protective housing from GoPro to dive up to 60 meters underwater.

Modern GoPros like the HERO9 Black and the HERO8 Black come in a waterproof design that can survive around 10 meters underwater. However, the GoPro MAX is only capable of going down around 5 meters.

This means that the protective housing from GoPro is the best way to scuba dive comfortably with your GoPro.

Underwater GoPro Photography Tips

Are you thinking of taking your GoPro underwater? Here are a few tips to help you get the perfect shot.

1. Understand the camera

When taking photos underwater, it’s important to understand your camera. Whether you’re using one of the older GoPros in a case or a modern GoPro that’s waterproof, take some time to figure out how it works before getting in the water. This is because you’ll be limited in time once you’re diving and might miss your photo.

Modern GoPros and action cameras are incredibly simple to use. Most of these cameras just have a button to turn the camera on and another button to take the photo. However, these cameras are incredibly advanced and offer tons of settings to help you customize the photos it takes.

This is why you should go through the settings and set everything up before you get in the water. That way you can just dive and snap away.

2. Consider strobe lights

If you’ve ever gone diving, you know that lighting is a real issue. While most cameras use flashes to help take photos in low light situations, this does not really work underwater. If you’re looking to add lighting to your underwater photo, consider taking strobe lights down with you.

Strobe lights are bigger and help diffuse the light underwater. This can allow you to get a clear shot even if the camera needs a bit more time to fully capture the image.

3. Point camera up

If you don’t have a strobe light to take with you underwater, an important trick to keep in mind is to always shoot upwards. This means you should get underneath your subject to get the image from beneath. This allows light from the surface to illuminate the subject for your camera.

Especially if you’re in the ocean, the ocean floor can be incredibly dark. This means that showing down will provide the camera with less light to capture. However, if you manage to illuminate your subject, the dark background could help elevate the subject perfectly.

This kind of image is perfect to give you the experience of being in the vast ocean.

4. Take your time

Cameras work by allowing light to be captured. While this is almost instant nowadays, cameras need a bit more time in low light situations. Even if you’re taking a photo in low-light mode on your phone, it will take a few extra seconds to gather all the data before composing the image.

This is why you should try to keep your camera still underwater as you take your photo. Be patient and remain still until the photo is complete. This patience can be the difference between something blurry and something crystal clear.

5. Maintain your camera

Lastly, don’t forget to take care of your camera. Even if you have the latest GoPro that’s waterproof, be sure to clean it after every dive. Despite its durability, keeping the salt water away can help extend the camera’s lifespan.

If you’re using an older GoPro that requires a protective case, ensure that the case is not broken before your dive. Any cracks can risk the integrity of the entire case and ruin your camera in the process. A quick check is all you need to make sure everything is okay.

Take Underwater Photographs with a GoPro

Ever wondered, can you take a GoPro scuba diving? The answer is yes!

GoPro cameras are designed to be as durable as possible. This means that you can take it with you on your adventures without worrying about damaging it. GoPro cameras can also come with underwater cases to allow you to dive with the camera and take some impressive action shots.

While the camera has limitations, the GoPro is perfect for general scuba diving.

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