Choosing the right GoPro is not always as simple as picking the newest model. Some cameras are better for classic action footage, some are better for capturing everything around you, and some make more sense for snorkelling holidays, dive travel and longer days in and around the water.
Here at Mike’s Dive Store, we help customers choose kit for snorkelling trips, scuba diving adventures and holiday travel all the time, so we’ve put together this simple guide to help you find the right GoPro and accessories for the way you actually plan to use it.
Start with the kind of trip you are planning
The best place to start is not with specs. It is with the kind of footage you want to come home with.
If you want immersive travel clips, easy selfie angles and the freedom to reframe your footage later, one camera will stand out straight away. If you want a more traditional action camera for snorkelling, diving, travel and general everyday use, another option will make much more sense. And if you are heading away for a longer trip or filming over multiple sessions in a day, battery life and bundle value become a much bigger part of the decision.
That is why there is no single “best” GoPro for everyone. The right one depends on how you like to film, where you are going and how simple you want your setup to be.
Best for snorkelling, holidays and capturing every angle: GoPro MAX2 Specialty Bundle
If your priority is capturing the whole moment without having to worry about framing every shot perfectly, the GoPro MAX2 Specialty Bundle is easily one of the most exciting options in the range.
With pro-quality 8K 360 video, MAX2 lets you capture everything around you and then choose your best angles afterwards. That makes it ideal for holidays, snorkelling, boat days and travel adventures where the action is happening all around you and you do not want to miss the shot. It can give you point-of-view footage, selfie-style shots and wide immersive scenes from the same clip, which is a big part of what makes it so appealing.
We particularly like MAX2 for customers who want a more creative, flexible way to film their trips. Instead of trying to point the camera perfectly in the moment, you can enjoy the experience first and decide on the framing later in the GoPro Quik app. The invisible pole effect is another big highlight, giving you those dramatic third-person angles that look almost drone-like.
The MAX2 Specialty Bundle also includes a free SD card and carry case, so it is a very tidy option if you want something that feels ready to travel with straight away.
The one thing to keep in mind is depth. MAX2 is waterproof to 5 metres, so we see it as a fantastic option for snorkelling, shallow-water use, beach holidays, surface swimming and general adventure filming. If your focus is deeper scuba diving, we would usually steer you towards one of the HERO models instead.
Best all-round action camera for diving and travel: GoPro HERO13 Black Specialty Bundle
If you want a more traditional GoPro that can handle a wide mix of travel, snorkelling, diving and day-to-day adventure use, the GoPro HERO13 Black Specialty Bundle is probably the easiest all-round recommendation.
It combines best-in-class 5.3K video, HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilisation and waterproofing to 10 metres in a rugged, proven format that a lot of customers already know and trust. It is also compatible with the new HB-Series lenses, which gives you more creative options if you want to expand your setup later on, and Magnetic Latch Mount compatibility makes swapping your mounting setup quicker and easier.
For many customers, HERO13 Black is the sweet spot. It is more straightforward than a 360 camera, more naturally suited to classic GoPro filming, and a really strong choice if you want one camera that can cover holidays, snorkelling, dive trips and everyday action footage without overcomplicating things.
The Specialty Bundle also makes life easier because it includes the camera, a microSD card, carry case, Enduro battery and mounting essentials, so you have a nice ready-to-go package from the start.
Best for longer trips and more battery life: GoPro HERO13 Black Extended Power Bundle
If you already like the sound of HERO13 Black but know you will be filming over longer days or multiple sessions, the GoPro HERO13 Black Extended Power Bundle is a really smart choice.
This bundle includes the HERO13 Black camera, Dual Battery Charger, 3 Enduro batteries, a 64GB SD card and a camera case, which makes it especially practical for dive travel, liveaboards, multi-dive days and active holidays where you may not always have a convenient recharge point between sessions.
You still get the same powerful HERO13 Black camera with 5.3K video, strong stabilisation and waterproofing to 10 metres, but the bundle is built to remove one of the most common frustrations customers run into on trips: running out of power too soon.
If you want the most practical HERO13 setup with fewer extras to buy separately, this is the bundle we would point you towards.
Best value option for traditional GoPro filming: GoPro HERO12 Black Specialty Bundle
The GoPro HERO12 Black Specialty Bundle is still an excellent choice if you want classic GoPro performance, strong image quality and very solid value.
It brings together HDR video and photo, 5.3K60 video, HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilisation, longer runtimes and Bluetooth audio support in a rugged waterproof body that is ready for travel and underwater use. It is waterproof to 10 metres and offers the kind of dependable all-round performance that makes it a very appealing option for customers who want a capable action camera without stepping up to HERO13.
HERO12 Black is a particularly good fit if you want a more value-led option but still care about image quality, stabilisation and ease of use. The main point to remember is that a microSD card is required but not included, so it is worth factoring that into your setup if you are comparing bundles.
Which GoPro should you choose?
If you mainly want to capture snorkelling holidays, boat trips, beach days and wide immersive travel footage, we would point you towards the GoPro MAX2 Specialty Bundle.
If you want the best all-round traditional GoPro for a mix of travel, snorkelling and general underwater use, the GoPro HERO13 Black Specialty Bundle is a brilliant choice.
If you want the same HERO13 platform but with a more practical setup for longer filming days and bigger trips, the GoPro HERO13 Black Extended Power Bundle makes the most sense.
If you want a strong-value option that still delivers excellent GoPro performance, the GoPro HERO12 Black Specialty Bundle is still a very good buy.
Which accessories are worth adding?
The right accessories can make a huge difference to how enjoyable your GoPro is to use.
For filming in and around the water, The Handler Floating Camera Grip is one of the most useful upgrades you can make. It helps keep your camera secure, easier to hold and easier to spot if dropped in the water, so it is a natural match for snorkelling, boat trips and watersports.
The 3-Way Grip 2.0 is another great all-round option because it works as a camera grip, extension arm and tripod in one. If you want more flexibility for travel, self-filming and varied angles, it is a very handy addition.
For mounting options, the Curved + Flat Adhesive Mounts are ideal if you want to attach your GoPro to helmets, boards or other surfaces, while the Grab Bag is useful if you want spare mounts and extra setup flexibility.
If you are filming for longer periods, extra power is always worth thinking about. The GoPro Dual Battery Charger for HERO13 Black is a sensible add-on for customers who want more recording time and less charging stress while away.
Anti-Fog Inserts are also worth considering if you are using a housing in colder or changing conditions, as they can help prevent your footage from being spoiled by condensation.
And for deeper scuba diving, the most important accessory is the GoPro Protective Housing. This is the one we would recommend if you are planning to take your camera beyond its standard waterproof depth rating and want more confidence underwater.
For snorkelling, holidays and creative travel footage, we would lean towards the GoPro MAX2. For scuba diving and more traditional underwater filming, we would usually recommend the GoPro HERO13 Black or HERO12 Black, with Protective Housing added for deeper dives.
If you are still unsure which setup is right for your next trip, we are always happy to help you choose.
Looking for an underwater smartphone housing instead?
If you are thinking about using your phone rather than a GoPro, take a look at our guide to underwater smartphone housings. It is a helpful place to start if you are comparing GoPro with options for snorkelling, holidays and underwater travel.
FAQ
Which GoPro is best for snorkelling?
For most snorkelling trips, we would recommend the GoPro MAX2 if your goal is to capture as much of the moment as possible. Its 8K 360 filming and reframing flexibility make it ideal for surface swimming, reefs, boat days and holiday footage. Just bear in mind that it is waterproof to 5 metres, so it is best suited to shallower use.
Which GoPro is best for scuba diving?
For scuba diving, we would usually recommend the GoPro HERO13 Black or HERO12 Black rather than MAX2. Both are a better fit for more traditional underwater filming, and for deeper dives we would strongly suggest adding the GoPro Protective Housing.
Can I use GoPro MAX2 for scuba diving?
MAX2 is much better suited to snorkelling, shallow-water use and travel filming than deeper scuba diving. Because it is waterproof to 5 metres, it is not the model we would normally lead with for deeper underwater use.
What is the difference between the HERO13 Black Specialty Bundle and the HERO13 Black Extended Power Bundle?
The camera itself is the same, but the Extended Power Bundle is designed for longer use. It includes a Dual Battery Charger, 3 Enduro batteries, a 64GB SD card and a case, making it a more practical option for longer trips and bigger filming days.
Is the HERO12 Black still worth buying?
Yes, absolutely. HERO12 Black is still a very strong option if you want excellent image quality, great stabilisation, solid battery performance and reliable waterproof action-camera performance at a more value-led price point.
Which GoPro is easiest to use?
If you want the most familiar and straightforward GoPro experience, HERO12 Black or HERO13 Black will usually feel simplest. If your biggest worry is missing the shot, MAX2 can actually make life easier in a different way because it lets you capture everything first and decide on your angles later.
Which GoPro accessories are most useful for water trips?
For most customers, we would start with The Handler Floating Camera Grip, the 3-Way Grip 2.0 and extra batteries or a charger. If you are planning deeper scuba dives, Protective Housing is the key add-on.
Can you help me choose the right GoPro?
Yes - if you are still unsure, get in touch with us. We are always happy to help you choose the right GoPro, accessories and setup for your next holiday, snorkelling trip or dive adventure. You’re more than welcome to email us at support@mikesdivestore.com, schedule a video consultation, or drop by our Chiswick store for expert, face-to-face advice.
