If you’re celebrating the start of the new season by going out on your boat sometime soon, the chances are you’ll want some stunning pictures to make your friends jealous! However, the reality is that cameras (or any technology for that matter) and water don’t tend to mix very well – especially if you’re after some water sport action shots.

However, the waterproof cameras on this list are right at home capturing watery scenes. From cameras designed for deep-sea diving, to those suited to skimming the surface of your next aquatic adventure, there’s bound to be one that takes your fancy.

Best all-rounder: Olympus Tough! TG-5

  • Sensor: 12 Megapixel
  • Lens: 4x zoom (25-100mm)
  • Waterproof: 15m
  • Shockproof:1m
  • Video: 4K
  • Price: (New) £379

There isn’t much debate with this entry - the verdict is pretty much unanimous that it’s the best all-round waterproof camera.

As its name suggests, the Olympus Tough! TG-5 is one tough camera. You won’t feel any pangs of anxiety taking this camera on your oceanic adventures with you – it’s waterproof up to 15m, can survive a drop up to 2.1m and can even withstand a load of 100kg.

If videoing your waterborne escapades is more your thing, you’ll be glad to hear that it supports 4K recording (30fps). While the Olympus Tough! TG-5 certainly doesn’t come cheap at £379, if you want a versatile, rugged camera – this is the one for you.

Best all-action cam: GoPro Hero6 Black

  • Sensor: 12 Megapixel
  • Lens: n/a
  • Waterproof: 10m
  • Shockproof: No
  • Video: 4K (60fps)
  • Price (new): £399.99

It’s extremely difficult to discuss durable cameras without bringing GoPro into the conversation. Since they first introduced their tiny cameras in 2004, the market has never been the same. While a number of models are available, the GoPro Hero6 is our favourite.  

It boasts a 12-megapixel sensor for photos and supports 4K recording (60 fps). GoPro understands that while you’re water-skiing, kayaking, or whatever your water sport of choice might be, you don’t always have a hand free to take a photo or video. So, it’s handy you can control the Hero6 by telling it to “start video recording” or “take a photo”.

Although you need extra casing if you want to dive it below 10m and it doesn’t boast the shockproof properties of some other cameras on our list, you can’t deny it’s sleek and easily mountable design has action written all over it.

Best deep-sea diver: Nikon Coolpix W300

  • Sensor: 16 Megapixel
  • Lens: 5x zoom (24mm-120mm)
  • Waterproof: 30m
  • Shockproof:4m
  • Video: 4K (30fps)
  • Price (New): £363.95

If you want a waterproof camera that can really take a battering, the Nikon Coolpix W300 is the camera you’ll want in your basket. It’s not only more waterproof and shockproof than the other cameras on the list, but the 16-megapixel camera has a lens with 5x optical zoom – perfect for capturing those close-up underwater shots without sacrificing image quality.

However, unlike the TG-5 and Hero6 Black, the Coolpix W300 doesn’t have any slow-motion features which could be an issue for those who’ll want to watch back their footage at a slower pace. Nonetheless, you’d still struggle to find a more robust camera with a slicker design.

Best budget buy: Fujifilm Finepix XP120

  • Sensor: 16 Megapixel
  • Lens: 5x zoom (24mm-120mm)
  • Waterproof:8m
  • Shockproof:8m
  • Video: 1080p (60fps)
  • Price (New): £129.99

If the other entries on our list are too pricey for your budget, Fujifilm has provided us with a resilient waterproof camera that’s at the cheaper end of the spectrum in the form of the Finepix XP120.

Granted, it doesn’t shoot in 4K or dive as deep as some of the other cameras listed, but for £129.99 you really can’t go far wrong. It even has a Cinemograph Mode which lets you take still images with moving elements – the possibilities for this on the water are endless! 

Best Waterproof Smartphone: Samsung Galaxy S9+

  • Sensor: 12 Megapixel
  • Lens: 2x zoom (25mm-91mm)
  • Waterproof:5m up to 30 minutes
  • Shockproof:5m
  • Video: 4K (30 or 60fps)
  • Price (New): £869

Not everyone wants to carry another piece of tech as well as their trusty smartphone. Enter the Samsung Galaxy S9+: the picture-perfect way to kill two birds with one stone.

While it’s the most expensive option on our list, it saves you money by eliminating the need for a separate waterproof camera altogether – as long as you’re not planning on taking it deep sea diving!

Usually, taking your smartphone anywhere near a lot of water is never a good idea – especially if you plan on using it to take lots of aquatic photos. The Samsung Galaxy S9+ is waterproof to 1.5m for 30-minutes so you can take it on your next boating voyage with confidence.

Not only that,  it’s photographic credentials are equally as impressive. With a 12-megapixel sensor, dual aperture, optical image stabilization (to name just a few notable features), the Galaxy S9+ will give even the most qualified camera a run for its money.

What piece of kit do you rely on for taking snaps of your boating adventures? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook or in the comments below!

Please note the information provided on this page should not be taken as advice and has been written as a matter of opinion. For more on insurance cover and policy wording, see our homepage.