How To Care For Your GoPro After Your Underwater Adventures

UPDATED FEB 2020. I remember when I first visited Hawaii and was really proud to have bought a disposable underwater camera for the trip. When I saw something cool in the water, I proudly went through the *wind, wind, wind, click* process to take a photo. When I got back to Australia, the first thing I did was take my $12 camera to the store to be developed. One hour later I had 24 photos in my hands. There’s nothing cooler right? Yes, yes there definitely is and it’s called a GoPro. Today I’m sharing a guide on how to care for your GoPro after you take it on water adventures.

How To Care For Your GoPro After Your Underwater Adventures

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Buying my first GoPro

Fortunately, on my second visit to Hawaii, I discovered that these things called GoPro’s existed.

They were actually about a gazillion times cooler than the disposable cameras I had previously used.

I bought a GoPro Hero 3 and it was love at first purchase. I’ve since owned a Hero4, 6, 7, 8 and 9 and love them just as much now as I did then.

What I love about using a GoPro

The thing I love most about using a GoPro is the versatility.

They can handle just about any situation and weather.

I think they are the best camera for adventuring and travel because they are durable enough to be taken on a hike and small enough that they don’t get in the way.

If you go to the beach afterward, you don’t have to leave a fancy camera in your car or on the beach, you can take your GoPro swimming.

To me, it’s the most convenient camera for outdoor adventures.

The accessories I use

Currently: GoPro Hero 12

I’ve owned GoPro’s since the Hero 3 model in 2012 and they keep getting better each time they release a new model.

These are the selfie sticks and tripods I use:

• Floaty selfie stick for water adventures
• Selfie stick and tripod combo

The only other accessories I use are:

• Filters for some water adventures, especially a red filter for deep water

4 practical tips on how to care for your GoPro

1. Prevent water droplets on your waterproof housing (NOT THE LENS)

If you are going to be using your GoPro in the water, then RainX is your new best friend.

When I first started swimming with my GoPro I would take it out with me and hope for the best. Unfortunately, I was usually disappointed to find there were water droplets ruining what would’ve otherwise been good photos.

Now, I wipe a little RainX on the front of the underwater housing with a bit of paper towel before I go out. This helps the water droplets slide off the front instead of sticking there ruining your photo.

You can get RainX from a department store in the car care section. It’s a liquid that’s usually for the windshield of your car to help the rain slide off. Perhaps it has a different name where you live but that’s what you’re looking for.

I still recommend checking the lens before you begin shooting because sometimes you have to blow the droplets for them to slide off.

If you don’t have RainX or forget to put it on, you can also lick the front of the housing to prevent droplets. It’s not as good but it’s a workaround option. Just lick the front, then dunk it in the water and it should be good for a few photos.

2. Always rinse your housing and accessories in freshwater

This is important to make sure your equipment will last as long as possible.

After each time you use it in the water, be sure to rinse out the housing and any other accessories in freshwater.

If there is a tap at the beach, I give it a quick rinse. Then when I get home, I take the housing and GoPole in the shower with me to rinse all the saltwater out.

This will help prevent any damage or build up from the saltwater and help everything last longer.

I also leave it open and face down to dry.

3. Protect the GoPro lens

Lenses on any camera are delicate and require a little extra care.

Wrapping your GoPro in a lint-free cloth is a great way to protect it when you are not using it. It doesn’t need to be fancy – I use a cloth that came with a pair of sunglasses.

For the older GoPro models:

When my GoPro is not in a waterproof housing, I wrap it in the cloth. This is usually while the housing is drying off after I rinse it.

I also put it in a sunglasses case for a little extra protection as well. Doing these two things protects the sensitive lens from getting dust and other little particles on it which could cause scratches.

For GoPro 6-8:

The new versions have lens caps which makes caring for them easier.

You need to be extra protective if you have taken the lens cap off and follow the steps above like placing a lint-free cloth over the lens if the cap is off.

Basically, any time the lens is exposed, make sure there is something to protect it.

4. How to get keep your GoPro housing scratch-free

When you are snorkeling and adventuring, it’s likely that your housing will get small scratches on it. Usually from sand, rocks, and wear and tear.

I like to always use a housing underwater for this reason, because it’s easier to replace a housing than a whole GoPro.

These are not the end of the world, but it’s good to get rid of them so they won’t show up in your photos.

I use PlastX polish on the front of the housing to help get rid of any little nicks or scratches. This is another car care product that you can get from the car section of a department store or an auto store.

To use it, just wipe the front of the waterproof housing with a little of the polish using a lint-free cloth.

Remember this is just for the housing unit and not the actual GoPro lens itself. Only ever use a lens cleaner on the actual lens.

Other guides you might find helpful

• What To Bring On A Short Hike – Essentials To Always Have On You

• How To Keep Your Valuables Safe At The Beach As A Solo Female Traveler

• My Top Tips On How To Get Photos As A Solo Female Traveler

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