Before you jump into the water with your new GoPro Hero 13, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

First, make sure to set up your camera beforehand, as it won’t be possible once you’re underwater.

In this article, you’ll find the best settings for capturing underwater photos and videos.

Plus, I’ll share some top accessories that will help you avoid blurry and greenish shots.

Start by watching my tutorial on setting up the GoPro Hero 13 for underwater filming:

BEST GoPro UNDERWATER Settings, Accessories, Tips for Diving & Snorkeling

 

GoPro HERO 13 Underwater Settings for Photo & Video


Before you do anything, make sure to properly close the battery door. Many GoPros end up leaking because the battery door wasn’t closed correctly. Even a small piece of dust or hair can ruin your camera.

I don’t want to scare you, but being informed means being prepared. So, double-check that your door is sealed tightly, and now you’re ready to set up your camera.

If you want to capture amazing underwater photos and videos with your GoPro HERO 13, you’ll need to tweak a few settings to get the best results before jumping into the water.

Otherwise, you can get a waterproof case (read on to lean which one).

Quick Settings for Snorkeling & Diving

Here’s a simple setup for snorkeling that should work great for most situations:

  • Resolution/FPS: 1080p or higher, 60fps
  • FOV: Wide
  • Shutter: Auto
  • EV Comp: -0.5
  • WB: Auto
  • ISO Min/Max: 100 / 400
  • Sharpness: Medium or High
  • Color: Natural (you can boost it later with GoPro LUTs)
  • 10-Bit: Off
  • Other Features (like Hindsight, WLAN, GPS, Bluetooth): Off
  • Quick Capture: Definitely a good idea

Here’s why these settings will make a difference:

ISO

GoPro Protune ISO Settings

GoPro Protune ISO Settings

Your ISO helps manage light, so adjust it depending on how bright or dark the water is. Use lower settings (100-400) in bright, shallow water. For deeper or darker areas, bump it up to 800 or 1600 to keep things clear.

Color

color correction underwater

Choose your mode—photo or video—depending on what you’re doing. For those rich underwater colors, set White Balance to Auto or stick with the Natural color profile. Later, when editing, GoPro LUTs can really help bring out the colors and cut down on any greenish tint that might show up in your footage.

Protune

Turn on Protune for more control. You can tweak things like sharpness, ISO, and color to get the exact look you want. The spot meter can also help with keeping your subject properly exposed, especially in tricky lighting.

Resolution

GoPro 5K Resolution

Set the resolution and frame rate based on what you’re filming. For more detail, go with higher resolution. If you’re taking photos, try using RAW format to give you more options when editing. For video, higher frame rates are better for fast action, while lower ones give a more cinematic look.

Anti-fog Inserts

Don’t forget to use anti-fog inserts to keep your lens clear, and always double-check that your housing is sealed tight to avoid any leaks. With these settings and the right gear, your GoPro HERO 13 will take some seriously awesome underwater shots. You can also check out some cool accessories listed below to level up your underwater filming.

FiTSTILL Anti-Fog Inserts

Anti Fog Inserts 24 pcs - Reusable Moisture Absorbing Strips - Humidity Removing Defogger for Underwater Dive Housings | Go Pro Hero | SJ4000 SJ5000 | Action Camera
  • NO MORE FOG - Using our anti-fog inserts will help prevent excess moisture forming on...
  • REUSABLE - These inserts can be used multiple times before they need to be thrown...
  • HIGH QUALITY ABSORPTIVE MATERIAL - Made with high quality moisture absorbing silica...

Want more tips? I’ve got a few extra tricks to help make your underwater footage pop!

 

 

Recommended GoPro Hero 13 Underwater Accessories 


Here are some must-have underwater accessories for your GoPro Hero 13 that will enhance your underwater shooting experience.

Large microSD Card

SPECIAL SALE
SanDisk Extreme PRO microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card 512 GB + Adapter & RescuePRO Deluxe (for Smartphones, Action Cameras or Drones, A2, Class 10, V30, U3, 200 MB/s Transfer)
  • Read Speed: SanDisk 512GB Extreme PRO microSD UHS-I Card features SanDisk QuickFlow...
  • Write Speeds of up to 140MB/s: Capture fast-action photos or shoot 4K UHD video with...
  • Load Apps Faster with A2: Get faster app performance for an outstanding smartphone...

A large microSD card is crucial for long underwater shoots, ensuring you don’t run out of space mid-dive.

The SanDisk Extreme Pro MicroSD Card is available in various sizes, including 256GB, 500GB, 512GB, and 1TB, giving you plenty of storage for all your underwater adventures with the GoPro Hero 13. More GoPro Hero 13 compatible SD cards>>>

Waterproof Housing for Diving (Hero 13, Hero 12, Hero 11, Hero 10, Hero 9)

GoPro Protective Housing (HERO13 Black/HERO12 Black/HERO11 Black/HERO10 Black/HERO9 Black) - Official GoPro Accessory
  • Protects your GoPro from mud, dirt and debris during extreme activities
  • Front LCD screen remains accessible for viewing
  • Waterproof down to 196ft (60m) perfect for deep-water diving

The GoPro Hero 13, like the Hero 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, and 5, is waterproof up to 33ft, which is perfect for most snorkeling activities. However, if you plan to dive deeper, a reliable waterproof housing case is essential for protecting your camera beyond this limit.

The GoPro Protective Housing is an excellent choice for scuba divers, allowing you to take your Hero 13 down to depths of 60m/196ft. It may be on the pricier side, but it’s worth it for the protection it offers. With its skeleton backdoor for better audio capture and touch screen access, this housing ensures high-quality footage, letting you confidently capture deep underwater moments without worries.

Explore more waterproof cases for GoPro Hero 13 >>>

Floating Stick/Pole/Grip

SOONSUN 4in1 Floating Selfie Stick for GoPro Hero 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, Max, Fusion, Session, DJI OSMO, AKASO, Insta360 - As Floating Handle, Extendable Monopod, Hand Grip, Tripod Stand
  • Versatile in different situations, can be used as floating handle in water,...
  • Easy to use, expand the fold out legs to form a stable tripod stand, collapse them...
  • Telescopic design can be extended and contracted between 9-27 inches (230 – 680mm)....

A floating stick or grip is incredibly useful for underwater shooting, giving you better control of your GoPro and preventing it from sinking.

The GoPro Handler Floating Hand Grip is a top choice, ensuring your GoPro floats and stays safe in the water. It comes with a bright orange cap for easy spotting if it falls, and the non-slip grip provides extra security during those wet, adventurous moments.

Red Filter Diving Lens

SPECIAL SALE
SOONSUN 4-Pack Dive Filter for GoPro Hero 13 12 11 10 9 8 Black Official Waterproof Housing - Red, Light Red, Magenta, 5X Close-up Macro Filters Color Correction for Underwater Photography and Video
  • Compatibility: These dive filters are compatible with original GoPro waterproof...
  • Dive Filters: The dive filters offer color correction and helps capture vibrant...
  • 5x Close-up Macro Filter: The 5x close-up macro filter is used to magnify scenery,...

As you dive deeper, red filters become essential to bring back the colors lost due to low-light underwater conditions. These filters help restore vibrant hues in your underwater shots. Otherwise, use GoPro Luts in post production.

The PolarPro Dive Filter 3-Pack is compatible with GoPro Hero 13, 12, 11, 10, and 9 Black models. This set includes Red, Magenta, and Snorkel filters, which are ideal for different depths. While it doesn’t include anti-fog inserts, the pack excels at correcting colors in deeper waters.

Waterproof LED Lights

Suptig Diving Light High Power Dimmable Waterproof LED Video Light Fill Night Light Diving Underwater Light Waterproof 147ft for Gopro Hero 13/Hero 12/11/10/9/8/7/6/5/5S/4/3+ More Action Cam
  • Widely used: Perfect compatibility with Gopro Hero 13/Hero 12/11/10/9/8/7/6/5/4/3/2/1...
  • GREAT DIVING LIGHTS Take amazing POV underwater video with this Suptig light for...
  • WIDE-ANGLE 500Lumen Max. (5500K-6000K) by 36 LEDs.This is THE underwater light to buy...

Waterproof LED lights are a must if you’re diving at night or in deeper, darker waters where natural light fades.

The Suptig Waterproof LED Light is compatible with all GoPro cameras, including the Hero 13, and can go as deep as 45m/147ft. It offers three lighting modes—Normal (HI), Power-saving (LOW), and Flash (SOS)—providing bright, clear illumination with its 500 Lumen output.

 

Thanks for reading!

I hope this guide helped you to understand better underwater filming with GoPro Hero 13 🙂

 

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