Is GoPro Hero 8 waterproof? Can GoPro Hero 8 go in salt water?
The simple answer to these questions is yes, in most situations.
However, in certain cases, you’ll need a protective underwater housing. There are also many small details to consider before taking your camera underwater.
In this guide, you’ll discover whether the GoPro Hero 8 is waterproof, whether you can take it into the sea, how to overcome distortion in the footage quality, and the best accessories for your underwater adventures.
Is GoPro Hero 8 Waterproof?
According to its specifications, as long as all camera doors are properly closed, the GoPro 8 Black is waterproof down to 10m (33ft) without housing, making it perfect for snorkeling. I’ve tried it out and it worked perfectly.
So, you can also rest easy if you’re filming in heavy rain, amidst splashing dirt, or if your camera accidentally falls into shallow water.
On the other hand, if you’re planning to go scuba diving, you’ll need a well-sealed underwater housing.
My advice is not to skimp on this, as a GoPro camera is quite an investment, and you wouldn’t want to damage it due to a cheap underwater case failing to do its job properly.
Here are some of the most reliable options.
GoPro Official Protective Housing
- Protects your HERO8 Black from mud, dirt and debris during extreme activities
- Waterproof down to 196ft (60m)—perfect for deep-water diving
- Includes a skeleton backdoor for improved audio capture and easy access to the...
If you’re looking to take your Hero 8 Black deeper than 10 meters underwater, the GoPro official Protective Housing is an excellent choice. It also shields your camera from mud, dirt, and debris.
This durable housing case allows you to dive up to 60 meters deep! It has earned top marks from several reviewers for its robustness, providing excellent protection for your camera during extreme activities like deep-sea diving. The included skeleton backdoor ensures that audio recording quality is maintained, and the touchscreen remains accessible, even underwater.
Suptig Waterproof Housing Case
- Perfectly Compatible For Gopro Hero 8 black, Underwater case make your gopro hero 8...
- 196 feet waterproof protective case use this waterproof housing you can take your...
- Using arc design features a simple snap and lock: When you insert your gopro hero 8...
The Suptig Waterproof Case is perfectly compatible with the GoPro Hero 8 Black and is designed specifically for it. It’s ideal for deep sea diving and extreme activities like surfing, snorkeling, and skiing. With this case, your GoPro Hero 8 Black can go as deep as 60 m (196 feet) underwater and capture every moment clearly.
The case is constructed from stainless steel, ensuring it is durable enough to withstand harsh conditions. It not only provides exceptional waterproof protection but also guards against dust, snow, mud, scratches, and shocks. Additionally, this waterproof housing enables easy operation of the shutter/power button or the select key/Mode button on your Hero 8 Black.
FINEST+ Waterproof Housing Case
- Specifically design for GoPro HERO 8 Black Action Camera Only.
- High Strength PC Material, perfectly use the camera 60m underwater, ideal for diving,...
- Large Flat glass lens and high transparent material provides a maximum sharpness...
Constructed from durable rubber, the FINEST+ Waterproof Housing is a top-tier case that safeguards your GoPro Hero 8 Black in water up to 60 meters (196 feet) deep. This allows you to capture stunning images without the concern of leaks.
The lens of this housing is crafted from thick tempered glass and boasts high light transmittance, ensuring that your underwater photos and videos remain sharp and clear.
Can GoPro Hero 8 Go in Salt Water?
The quick answer is yes, it can.
However, after every use in salt water, it’s important to rinse your camera with fresh water and dry it with a soft cloth.
This is the primary guideline mentioned in the Hero 8 manual for salt water usage.
Nevertheless, I always opt to use a case when in the water. It’s more straightforward and cost-effective to replace a case if it fails, and it’s also easier to test. If the case fails, your camera still has an additional layer of waterproofing.
The seal on the GoPro camera door can be compromised by even a small amount of sand, salt, or debris. Take extra precautions around sand and salt water, especially when changing the battery, to ensure that the seal remains clean and unobstructed.
Lens Distortion Underwater
The ‘Linear’ mode produce the most pincushion distortion underwater.
In contrast, when switched the GoPro to ‘Wide’ mode, the underwater distortion is nearly eliminated.
So, if you’re aiming to reduce underwater distortion with your Hero 8, you might want to consider using ‘Wide’ mode for clearer, more accurate underwater shots.
Keep on reading to learn how to set up you GoPro Hero 8 for underwater use.
GoPro Hero 8 Underwater Settings
Ensure the following settings are adjusted on your GoPro Hero 8 Black before diving underwater:
Video Settings:
- 4K60, Wide Lens
- 1080p240, Wide Lens
- 1440p60, Wide Lens
Photo Settings:
- Time Lapse Photo (2 or 5-second interval), Wide Lens
- Burst (30/6 Rate), Wide Lens
When diving into darker underwater areas, it’s advisable to avoid using Hypersmooth, as it can create a jello effect in low light, potentially compromising the quality of your footage.
In such low-light conditions, consider reducing the frame rate to 30 FPS to allow the camera to capture more light.
Also, you might want to use a waterproof Led light.
I recommend using the Suptig Waterproof LED Light
- 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...
If you find yourself diving at night or in deep, dark waters, a waterproof LED light can be incredibly useful! It helps illuminate the area around you, covering a distance of about 3-6 feet, which brings the vibrant colors of underwater scenes back to life.
The Suptig Waterproof LED Light, which is compatible with the GoPro Hero 8 Black, can be used up to 45m (147ft) underwater. This wide-angle 500 Lumen LED light offers three modes: Normal (HI), Power-saving (LOW), and Flash (SOS) to adapt to different lighting needs.
For more tips and tricks for underwater filming with your Hero 8, check out the following article>>>
Color Correction
If you don’t use a red filter or adjust the colors in post-production, your underwater shots might end up with some odd greenish colors.
Using a red filter is a quick and easy way to get natural colors straight from your camera, saving you the hassle of editing later.
These filters are great for enhancing your images by bringing back the red hues that disappear the deeper you dive.
Red Filter Diving Lens
Red filters are essential for enhancing your underwater photos by restoring the red hues that get lost as you dive deeper. There are three types of red filters:
- Light Red filter (ideal for color correction in clear freshwater at shallow depths of 2-15 ft),
- Red Filter (suitable for color correction in blue or tropical waters at depths of 15-85 ft), and
- Magenta Filter (perfect for color correction in greenish waters, like those found in lakes and reservoirs, at depths of 8-75 ft).
I suggest investing in a multi-filter pack, which allows you to conveniently switch filters depending on whether you’re diving deeper or returning to shallower waters.
Here’s one that I’ve personally used and recommend:
3-Pack PolarPro Dive Master Red Filter
- Engineered specifically for the HERO9, HERO10 Black, HERO11 Black, Hero12 Black...
- Capture vibrant colors in blue, green, and shallow waters.
- Secure slide-on design with added safety tethers ensure your filters stay connected...
Designed specifically for the GoPro Hero 8 Black Protective Housing, this Red Filter 3-Pack enhances the vibrancy of colors in blue, green, and shallow waters. The set comes with Red, Magenta, and Snorkel filters.
Alternatively, you can opt for using LUTs in post-production. Keep on reading to learn more.
Try our Cinematic Color Filters (LUTs) – Underwater Pack
We have released a fresh brand new Color Grading LUT pack optimized for GoPro and Drone.
Check it out here: GoPro Underwater LUT filters >>
![GoPro LUTs Color Grading Filters - Underwater Pack [Download]](https://projectgo.pro/wp-content/cache/flying-press/B0n6tcQqcjw-hqdefault.jpg)
This pack includes 100 LUTs in various formats (3D, .CUBE, .look, .XML) to cover most video and photo editing programs. Once installed, you can easily apply (and customize!) these color presets with a single click in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, Final Cut Pro X, DaVinci Resolve, Sony Vegas, Filmora Wondershare, and more!…
Check it out here: GoPro Underwater LUT filters >>
Thanks for reading!
I hope this guide helped you learn about The GoPro Hero 8 waterproof capacity:)
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