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Yes, the GoPro HERO11 Black is waterproof without the need for a separate waterproof housing or case.
Quick Summary
- The GoPro HERO11 Black Waterproof out of the box without a separate case.
- Rated for submersion up to 33 feet / 10 meters.
- Protective Housing available for deeper dives up to 196 feet / 60 meters.
- Ensure camera’s seals are intact and doors are properly locked for waterproofing.
Table of Contents
The GoPro HERO11 Black is Waterproof Without a Case
This is something that comes up often, because older GoPros needed a separate clear plastic housing to add waterproof protection. So if you’ve used an older GoPro and skipped some of the more recent models, it’s a pretty major design change (and mostly for the better).
Since the HERO5 (or, more accurately, the Session), GoPro cameras have switched to having the camera body itself being waterproof. So for many situations in and around water, you no longer need to have a separate waterproof housing, as you did for the HERO4 models and earlier. The GoPro HERO11 continues that approach.
The GoPro HERO11 Black is waterproof right out of the box. By itself, it’s rated for full submersion underwater to a depth of 33 feet / 10 meters.
If you need to take the camera deeper than that, or just want extra protection, you can add a protective housing (I have more details on that below).
How to Increase the Waterproof Protection of a GoPro HERO11 Black
The HERO11 Black is rated to a depth of 10 meters, or 33 feet. That’s good for many uses: swimming, snorkeling, rain, waterfalls, paddleboarding, and so on.
But what if you want to take it deeper than that? In most cases, that means SCUBA diving. That’s where a Protective Housing comes in useful.
The Protective Housing is rated down to 60 meters, or 196 feet. That’s well below the depth of standard recreational SCUBA diving.
- Rated waterproof to 60 meters, or 196 feet
- Above-water protection against mud, dust, and knocks
It’s also a useful accessory above the water. It adds quite a lot of protection to your GoPro from dust, mud, and grime, and if it gets cracked from a knock, it’s much cheaper and easier to replace just the housing rather than the whole camera.
Be sure to get the Protective Housing specifically for the HERO11/10/9 cameras. The HERO11 Black (but not the HERO11 Black Mini) uses the same housing as the HERO10 Black and HERO9 Black. But it’s worth knowing that GoPro has used the “Protective Housing” name for other models too, which can make it a bit confusing. For example, the HERO8 Protective Housing, for instance, won’t work with the HERO11–the camera body dimensions and shapes are slightly different. So be sure to get the Protective Housing that’s specifically for the HERO11, HERO10 Black, or HERO9.
Things Worth Knowing
Waterproof protection is only as good as the weakest seal. So it’s always a good idea to ensure that the camera’s side door is properly locked in place and that its rubber seals are intact and don’t have any grit or sand that could create a gap for water to get in. And make sure that the lens cover is locked in place. That’s really only an issue if you’ve removed or replaced the lens—I’ve never seen the lens coming loose by itself so long as it’s properly attached.
For the camera to be waterproof, the side door needs to be fully attached and closed. The HERO11 is only waterproof when using its internal battery and without the Media Mod. Anything that requires access to the USB-C port–such as an external battery, an external monitor, an external microphone, or the Media Mod–means opening the side door to access the USB-C port and therefore leaving it exposed. GoPro does sell a USB Pass-Through Door that allows external access to the USB port, but it’s weather-resistant rather than fully waterproof, so it’s suitable for things like rain, spray, or occasional splashes, but it’s not suitable for submersion. The same goes for most third-party external power kits (some are rated as water-resistant or weather-resistant).
I have some more detailed recommendations on using GoPros around water here.
Touchscreens don’t work underwater, but you can still use it as a viewing screen.
GoPro cameras don’t float. There are several ways to tackle this problem–I cover some of the best options in a separate post: How to Make a GoPro Float.
Neither GPS nor Wifi work underwater. Those are not shortcomings of the HERO11–they’re limitations on the GPS and Wifi signals.
Waterproof Depth Ratings for GoPro Cameras
Newer GoPro models have a waterproof body. Older models required an external waterproof housing. Here are the depth ratings for the cameras themselves.
| GoPro Model | Waterproof Depth Rating (without external housing) |
|---|---|
| HERO12 Black | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| HERO11 Black | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| HERO11 Black Mini | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| HERO10 Black | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| HERO10 Black Bones Edition | Not waterproof or water-resistant. |
| HERO9 Black | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| HERO8 Black | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| MAX | 16 feet / 5 meters |
| HERO7 Black | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| HERO7 Silver | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| HERO7 White | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| Fusion | 16 feet / 5 meters |
| HERO6 Black | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| HERO (2018) | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| HERO5 Black | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| HERO5 Session | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| HERO4 Session / HERO Session | 33 feet / 10 meters |
| HERO+ LCD | 131 feet / 40 meters |
| HERO+ | 131 feet / 40 meters |
| HERO (2014) | 131 feet / 40 meters |
| HERO4 Black | Not waterproof. Requires external waterproof housing. |
| HERO4 Silver | Not waterproof. Requires external waterproof housing. |
| HERO3+ Black | Not waterproof. Requires external waterproof housing. |
| HERO3 Black | Not waterproof. Requires external waterproof housing. |
| HERO3 Silver | Not waterproof. Requires external waterproof housing. |
| HERO3 White | Not waterproof. Requires external waterproof housing. |
| HD HERO 2 | Not waterproof. Requires external waterproof housing. |
| HD HERO Original | Not waterproof. Requires external waterproof housing. |
| SD HERO | Not waterproof. Requires external waterproof housing. |
Protective Housings / Dive Housings for GoPro Cameras
To go deeper, you can put the camera inside a protective dive housing. These are the compatible protective housings for recent cameras.
| GoPro Camera | Compatible Protective Housing | Depth Rating of Protective Housing |
|---|---|---|
| HERO12 Black | Protective Housing (for HERO12/11/10/9) | 196 feet / 60 meters |
| HERO11 Black | Protective Housing (for HERO12/11/10/9) | 196 feet / 60 meters |
| HERO10 Black | Protective Housing (for HERO12/11/10/9) | 196 feet / 60 meters |
| HERO10 Black Bare Bones | Not compatible with protective housing. | |
| HERO9 Black | Protective Housing (for HERO12/11/10/9) | 196 feet / 60 meters |
| HERO8 Black | Protective Housing (for HERO8) (AJDIV-001)* | 196 feet / 60 meters |
| HERO7 Black | Super Suit | 196 feet / 60 meters |
| HERO7 Silver | Protective Housing (for HERO7 Silver/White) | 131 feet / 40 meters |
| HERO7 White | Protective Housing (for HERO7 Silver/White) | 131 feet / 40 meters |
| HERO6 Black | Super Suit | 196 feet / 60 meters |
| HERO (2018) | Super Suit | 196 feet / 60 meters |
| HERO5 Black | Super Suit | 196 feet / 60 meters |
| HERO5 Session | Aftermarket Dive Housing | |
| HERO Session | Aftermarket Dive Housing | |
| HERO4 Session | Aftermarket Dive Housing | |
| HERO4 Black | Aftermarket Dive Housing | |
| HERO4 Silver | Aftermarket Dive Housing |
GoPro HERO11 Waterproof FAQs
Is the GoPro HERO11 waterproof?
Yes, the GoPro HERO11 Black is waterproof without the need for a separate waterproof case or housing. By itself, the camera is rated for 33 feet / 10 meters. So you can comfortably take it swimming, surfing, snorkeling, or paddle boarding.
If you’re SCUBA diving deeper than that, I would recommend getting a Protective Housing to make it even more waterproof (down to a depth of 60 meters / 196 feet). Even if your dive plan is to stay above 33 feet on average, it’s pretty easy for things to change once you’re underwater.
Does the GoPro HERO11 need a waterproof case?
The GoPro HERO11 Black is waterproof without needing a waterproof case or housing. By itself, the camera is rated for 33 feet / 10 meters. You can add a Protective Housing to make it even more waterproof.
How deep underwater can the GoPro HERO11 go?
The GoPro HERO11 Black is rated for full submersion to a depth of 33 feet / 10 meters without an external waterproof housing.
By adding an external waterproof housing, you can take your GoPro deeper. The official housing for the GoPro HERO11 Black, the GoPro Protective Housing (model number ADDIV-001), is rated to a depth of 196 feet / 60 meters. Aftermarket housings might be rated for different depths and be subjected to different quality control protocols.
Is the GoPro HERO11 suitable for diving and underwater activities?
Yes, the GoPro Hero 11 is an excellent choice for diving and underwater activities. It is waterproof without a case, allowing you to capture high-quality underwater photos and videos with ease.
What are the best GoPro HERO11 settings for underwater activities such as scuba diving?
For the best underwater results, use a wide-angle field of view, turn on horizon lock for stability, and set the camera to 4K or 5K resolution with a 60fps frame rate. You can also enable HyperSmooth feature for smooth video footage. And using a high ISO will increase the sensitivity of the sensor in low light, although it comes with image quality compromises.
Which GoPro models are suitable for diving and underwater activities?
All GoPro Hero models from the Hero 5 onwards are suitable for diving and underwater activities, as they are waterproof to varying depths. The GoPro HERO11, for example, is waterproof without a case to a depth of 33 feet (10 meters).
How can I carry my GoPro while swimming or diving?
Use a floating hand grip, wrist strap, or chest mount to securely carry your GoPro while swimming or diving.
How deep can the GoPro HERO11 be submerged without a case?
The GoPro Hero 11 can be submerged up to 33 feet (10 meters) deep without a case.
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Images and product information from Amazon PA-API were last updated on 2023-12-04 at 21:41. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon Site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
