Do you have questions like, “Is the GoPro Hero 9 waterproof?” “Is it good for underwater photography?” or “Can the GoPro 9 be used in salt water?” I’m here to help you find the answers.

In this guide, you’ll discover whether the GoPro Hero 9 is waterproof, if it can be taken into the sea, whether it’s suitable for underwater filming, and the best accessories for your underwater adventures.

Take a look at my GoPro waterproof tutorial where I explain settings, accessories and tips for diving and snorkeling:

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

 

Is the GoPro Hero 9 Waterproof?


GoPros were essentially created for capturing surfing adventures from a POV perspective, making them highly suitable for water use.

The GoPro HERO 9 is waterproof without needing an additional waterproof housing, capable of withstanding depths up to 10 meters or 33 feet.

This makes it great for activities like swimming, snorkeling, exposure to rain, waterfalls, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

When Do You Need an Underwater Housing?

Hero 9 Protective Housing

However, recreational scuba diving often exceeds these depths, increasing the pressure and the risk of water breaching the camera’s seals.

If you plan on scuba diving, it’s wise to encase the HERO 9 Black in an underwater housing, which is rated for depths up to 196 feet or 60 meters, far exceeding the limits of typical recreational diving.

Recommended Underwater Cases

GoPro Official Protective Housing

GoPro Protective Housing (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 Protective Housing for the Hero 9 Black ensures that your camera is safe from water damage, as it’s capable of being submerged up to 60 meters.

Constructed from robust materials, this housing shields your camera from mud, dirt, and debris, whether you’re engaging in activities on land, wading through muddy waters, or diving deep under the sea.

The front LCD screen remains accessible, so you can stay informed and capture the action when it counts.

With this official GoPro Protective Housing, you can dive into your underwater adventures without fear of damaging your camera. The skeleton backdoor design allows sound to pass through clearly, while the high-quality glass lens ensures that your photos and videos, whether taken above or below water, are crisp and clear.

Fitstill Waterproof Case

FitStill 196FT/60M Waterproof Case for Go Pro Hero 13/Hero12 Black/Hero11 Black/Hero10 Black/Hero9 Black,Protective Underwater Diving Housing with Accessories for Hero13/12/11/10/9 Black Action Camera
6,883 Reviews
FitStill 196FT/60M Waterproof Case for Go Pro Hero 13/Hero12 Black/Hero11 Black/Hero10 Black/Hero9 Black,Protective Underwater Diving Housing with Accessories for Hero13/12/11/10/9 Black Action Camera
  • 【DESIGNED FOR】Go Pro Hero 13 Black/Go Pro Hero 12 Black/Go Pro Hero 11 Black/Go...
  • 【NOTE】Does not work for Go Pro Hero 11 mini/Go Pro Hero.
  • 【60M/196FT Waterproof】This waterproof housing case with upgraded waterproof...

This FitStill Waterproof Housing Case is designed specifically for the GoPro Hero 9 Black. It incorporates a waterproof sealing ring and a tight buckle that effectively prevent water leakage, making it ideal for use during diving, surfing, snorkeling, and other water sports.

Constructed from high-quality PMMA material and equipped with a flat glass lens, this durable case ensures maximum image sharpness underwater without compromising on the quality of your shots. With this case, your GoPro can safely record underwater activities up to a depth of 60 meters (196 feet) without any risk of leaks.

How To Use Underwater Housing

It’s crucial to ensure that the camera’s side door is securely locked and that its rubber seals are clean and intact to prevent any gaps that might allow water ingress. Also, ensure that the lens cover is properly secured.

For the camera to remain waterproof, the side door must be completely closed, which means you cannot access the USB port for external power while underwater. 

Remember, the touchscreen doesn’t function underwater, although it can still serve as a viewing screen. Also, neither GPS nor WiFi will work underwater—this isn’t a flaw of the HERO9, but rather a limitation of the signals themselves.

Pro Tip

If you’re considering purchasing the Protective Housing or other accessories from GoPro.com and you have a GoPro Premium, make sure to log into your account to access special discounted pricing on accessories.

Is GoPro Hero 9 Good for Underwater Photography?


Absolutely! The GoPro Hero 9 is a fantastic choice for underwater photography. It’s waterproof up to 33 feet (10 meters) on its own, which makes it perfect for snorkeling and swimming. 

gopro hero 11 resolution underwater

The Hero 9 captures sharp, vivid images and has features like HyperSmooth stabilization, which really comes in handy when you’re moving through the water. There are various modes and settings beneficial for underwater photography, including the ability to adjust ISO, shutter speed, and exposure.

This flexibility, combined with high-resolution video capabilities (up to 5K), makes it a robust choice for capturing high-quality underwater images and footage.

Keep on reading to learn how to set up your GoPro Hero 9 for underwater shooting.

How To Set Up GoPro Hero 9 For Underwater Shooting


When the camera is sealed in the Dive Housing, access to the touchscreen is blocked, which restricts any setting adjustments other than changing the shooting mode.

To manage this, you’ll need to set up your camera before the camera is enclosed in the housing.

gopro hero 11 underwater

Basic Settings

  • Lens: Wide
  • Resolution/FPS: 4K or 1080 | 60fps
  • Hypersmooth: Boost
  • Duration: No Limit
  • Timer: Off

ProTune Settings

  • BitRate: High
  • Shutter: Auto
  • EV Compensation: -0.5
  • White Balance: Auto
  • ISO Minimum: 100
  • ISO Maximum: 1600
  • Sharpness: Medium
  • Color: GoPro
  • RAW Audio: Off
  • Wind: Auto

Red Filter

The primary challenge the GoPro HERO 9 encounters with underwater wide-angle video is its inability to set a manual white balance. Cameras need this capability to restore the red, orange, and yellow hues that are typically lost as you go deeper into water dominated by blue, green, and cyan tones.

By attaching a color correction filter to the GoPro HERO9, you can reintroduce these warm colors without needing to adjust the camera’s settings.

I recommend using the following filters:

  • Light Red Filter: Best for color correction in clear freshwater at shallow depths ranging from 2-15 feet.
  • Red Filter: Ideal for adjusting colors in blue or tropical waters at depths of 15-85 feet.
  • Magenta Filter: Optimal for correcting colors in greenish waters, such as those in lakes and reservoirs, at depths between 8-75 feet.

gopro red filter

PolarPro Dive Filter 3-Pack 

PolarPro Red Filter 3-Pack for GoPro Hero12 Protective Housing - Fits Hero9/10/11/12 Cameras in Protective Housing
405 Reviews
PolarPro Red Filter 3-Pack for GoPro Hero12 Protective Housing - Fits Hero9/10/11/12 Cameras in Protective Housing
  • 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...

This PolarPro Dive Filter 3-Pack is designed for the GoPro Hero 9. The set includes Red, Magenta, and Snorkel filters, each optimized for different diving conditions and water colors.

The Red filter is ideal for blue waters at depths of 15-75 feet, the Magenta filter excels in green waters at the same range, and the Snorkel filter is perfect for shallow waters ranging from 2-15 feet. Note that the kit does not include anti-fog inserts.

SOONSUN 3 Pack Dive Filter 

SPECIAL SALE
SOONSUN 3-Pack Dive Filter for GoPro Hero 8 9 10 11 12 13 Black Official Waterproof Housing Case - Red, Light Red, Magenta Filters - Color Correction for Underwater Video and Photography
  • Provide Outstanding Improvement of Underwater Footage: This professional 3 in 1...
  • Direct Snap-on Attachment: Easily snap on / off the filter to the original protective...
  • Reserved Slot for Tether: In case of loss, loop the included tether to the side of...

If you’re on the hunt for an affordable option that suits all kinds of underwater settings, consider the SOONSUN three-filter pack. This set is well-equipped for diverse diving conditions.

The red filter is tailored for tropical or blue waters at depths of 15 to 80 feet, while the magenta filter is perfect for similar depths in green waters. The snorkel filter is great for enhancing colors in shallow tropical waters from 2 to 15 feet deep. These filters effectively bring out vibrant, tropical colors in your underwater footage.

This product is highly rated and comes at a great price. It stands out as one of the best on the market, with no significant drawbacks noted.

GoPro LUTs

Alternatively, you can utilize GoPro LUTs in post-production to achieve optimal results without the necessity of purchasing a red filter.

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]

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 >>

 

 

Can GoPro 9 Go in Salt Water?


GoPro Hero 9 cameras are suitable for use in both fresh and salt water.

underwater shots with gopro

However, since salt water can be highly corrosive, it’s crucial to take proper care of your equipment after exposure.

Each time you use your GoPro in salt water, make sure to thoroughly rinse the camera and any associated gear with fresh water afterward. This helps to remove any salt residue that could potentially damage the camera’s housing and internal components over time.

After rinsing, gently dry your GoPro with a soft, lint-free cloth to avoid water spots and to ensure no moisture remains on the camera.

It’s also beneficial to disassemble any removable parts like the battery and SD card to dry the compartments under them, as trapped moisture can lead to corrosion or mold.

 

Thanks for reading!

I hope this guide helped you learn about The GoPro Hero 9 waterproof capacity:)

 

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