Hawaii/Beach/Water Vacation - Cameras

[Jeremy]

Given all the health and emotional issues of this year, early this summer we booked a trip to Hawaii for December. For better or worse, we're taking the kids as it was cheaper for all 4 of us to go early in the month than just my wife and I later when the grandparent's could watch the kids.

We typically go to firm land vacations (Disney, Colorado, etc) without worry of sand, water, etc. Since we're going to have the kids do surfing lessons, we're going in a shark cage, playing on the beach, etc, I've been trying to figure out what to do for pics/videos.

I always have the latest iPhone (15 Pro Max) and plan on using that when we're away from the beach/water but need something for the rugged and underwater adventures.

For those that have done similar, have you used your phone in a case, GoPro, or something else? I was thinking of getting a GoPro as the newer versions have a larger sensor and supposedly take better still photos than in the past. Am I just over-worrying about the phones in the sand?

 

[JP4CY]

Years ago I bought a "SJCAM" (GP knockoff).
Unsure if they're still made but it worked well for snorkeling and being at the end of a stick 12-15' below surface level.

 

[Angie]

I got a GoPro knockoff. You can borrow it if you want, but once you get more than about 5 feet underwater, none of those work great without an external light source.

 

[dmclone]

I use a Hero 8, bigger SD card, and a cheap accessory kit that includes a bunch of mounting options. My life is pretty lame so I have some driving and snorkeling videos.

 

[cymac2408]

Don’t know about cameras but I lived on Oahu for 3 years. I highly recommend swimming in a cage with sharks all around. I took my family back when my son was a freshman in high school and our daughter was a senior at ISU. Everyone thought it was the best experience swimming that close to them.

 

[Farnsworth]

I got a GoPro knockoff. You can borrow it if you want, but once you get more than about 5 feet underwater, none of those work great without an external light source.

Pretty much this. I am a member of a few dive groups on Facebook and this gets asked a lot. The consensus seems to be get a decent GoPro unless you want to go more expensive/professional. Getting a case for a camera, or waterproof camera seems like a good idea, but underwater photography always seems like an after thought and just a good marketing add on. Never had great success with underwater pictures with them, always washed out.

 

[Farnsworth]

Anyone around on the site that has Dive Certifications?

I have PADI Advanced Open Water Diver with extra Certs for Night Diver, Cavern Diver, and Lionfish Hunter.

 

[Acylum]

Man I really missed the humble brag threads. Glad to see they are back.

 

[Jeremy]

Thanks for the suggestions. Assumed GoPro or like was the way to go.

And no humble brag here, this year has been worse than every year in my life combined and my wife and I’s 20 year wedding anniversary is next year (25 years met and started dating is this Nov).

 

[Farnsworth]

Thanks for the suggestions. Assumed GoPro or like was the way to go.

And no humble brag here, this year has been worse than every year in my life combined and my wife and I’s 20 year wedding anniversary is next year (25 years met and started dating is this Nov).

Don't tell your wife that! Telling her being with her for 20 years leads to the worst year of your life probably doesn't strengthen that relationship :dunno:

 

[NorthCyd]

Anyone around on the site that has Dive Certifications?

I have PADI Advanced Open Water Diver with extra Certs for Night Diver, Cavern Diver, and Lionfish Hunter.

I'm advanced and rescue certified. Really enjoy diving but not much of a chance to use it in Iowa so I haven't been diving in years.

 

[NWICY]

Man I really missed the humble brag threads. Glad to see they are back.

The electric car thread is a pretty good thread for that also, though they claim it is all about the economy of it and the environment.