Capture your turtle encounter like a pro
Add a ready-to-go GoPro to your booking and film your whole encounter. It comes already set up — so all you do is press record. Here's how to come home with footage worth sharing.
This is what a guest captured
Unedited footage filmed on one of our hire GoPros — a wild green turtle feeding on sponges, just metres away. No filters, no editing.
It's all set up for you
You don't need to know a thing about cameras. The GoPro you add to your booking comes dialled in and ready — the right underwater video mode, a nice wide view and stabilisation already switched on. We hand it to you on the day, show you the one button that matters, and you're filming.
- Pre-charged and fully waterproof
- Settings already dialled in for underwater
- Floaty hand grip — it won't sink if you let go
- Memory card included, ready to record
- We show you how before you jump in
Two buttons, that's it
Top button
Press it to start recording — and again to stop.
Side button
Switches modes — video, photo and more.
Red box on screen
If you can see it, you're recording.
Screen gone dark?
That's just power-saver — it's still recording.
Keep takes short
Film in little bursts of about 2–3 seconds.
Which way should you hold it?
How you hold the GoPro decides where your video looks best. Here's the difference — and the golden rule for social media.
Landscape
Wide and cinematic — perfect for capturing the whole reef scene, a turtle gliding past, or several turtles at once. Looks its best on YouTube, laptops and TVs.
Portrait
Fills the whole phone screen — no black bars. This is exactly what Instagram Reels, TikTok and Stories are built for: more immersive, more personal, and it reaches far more people.
★ Best for social mediaGoing on socials? Hold it upright.
Vertical video fills the entire screen the way people actually hold their phones, so it feels more immersive and consistently gets more reach on Reels, TikTok and Stories. If you'd rather film wide, that's fine too — you can always crop a landscape clip to vertical afterwards in the free GoPro Quik app — but framing upright from the start always looks best.
Six tips for better turtle footage
Small things that make a big difference — and keep our turtles happy.
Get close
Water steals colour and sharpness fast. The closer you are, the more vivid and detailed your turtle looks — without ever crowding it.
Sun behind you
Keep the sun at your back so it lights up the turtle and the blue in front of you, instead of turning your subject into a dark silhouette.
Move slow & calm
Glide, don't chase. Slow, relaxed movement keeps your footage steady and keeps the wildlife comfortable and close.
Give turtles space
Never touch or chase them — it's their home. Let them come to you. The calmest encounters make the very best clips.
Short takes
Hold with both hands and film in short bursts of about 2–3 seconds. Lots of short clips edit together far better than one long one.
Frame it low
Keep the turtle in the lower part of the frame with open blue water above — that's the classic, professional-looking underwater shot.
How GoPro hire works
Three simple steps — from booking to downloading your footage.
Add it at checkout
Book your trip online and add a GoPro to your cart. That's it — one's reserved, charged and ready for your booking.
Just press record
We hand it over on the day, set up and ready to go. Point it, press the one button, and enjoy your swim.
Download within 24 hours
After your trip we'll send you a private link within 24 hours, so you can download all your footage and share away.
Tag us — you might make our feed
We love seeing your clips. Post your turtle footage and tag @snorkelwiththeturtles — we regularly repost guest videos, so you could end up featured on our page.
Got an absolute cracker of a clip? Send it to us directly and we may feature it too. Don't forget the hashtag #snorkelwiththeturtles.
📷 @snorkelwiththeturtlesFilm your day — no camera required
No need to buy a pricey camera or risk your phone in the water. Just add a ready-to-go GoPro to your booking when you check out — set up, floaty grip and good to roll. We'll send you a private link within 24 hours of your trip to download every clip.
GoPro hire is added in the cart at checkout, subject to availability. Your download link arrives within 24 hours of your trip.
Ready to meet them? book a Gold Coast turtle snorkel tour departing Tweed Heads.