The World’s First 100% Waterproof Self-Flying Camera Drone is Finally Out (But Not in the US)

As we covered when it was first announced almost a year ago, the HOVERAir AQUA is the world’s first 100% waterproof self-flying camera drone, built for action and adventure on the water.

Following a successful crowdfunding campaign, the AQUA is now available globally, yet it sounds like the globe doesn’t cover the United States, at least when it comes to drones from Chinese-based companies.

Let’s take a look at the HOVERAir AQUA and explore what it offers with its unique waterproof design, self-flying capabilities, and 4K video specs.

The HOVERAir AQUA Launches Globally (Kind Of)

Designed for content creators and filmmakers looking to capture action and adventure footage on the water, the AQUA is pretty similar to HOVERAir’s other action-camera-style drones, but it's 100% waterproof.

An ideal option for those looking to record high-intensity watersports like skiing, wakeboarding, jet-skiing, or even slower ones like sailing, paddle boarding, or fishing, the HOVERAir AQUA could be an ideal drone selection for those who just like to get wet.

Built into a compact frame that weighs under 250 grams, yet durable and powerful enough to handle winds up to Level 7 and reach speeds up to 55 km/h, the HOVERAir AQUA is quite usable in a ton of situations thanks to its versatile design and ability to just float in the water wherever it lands.

4K Video up to 100 FPS

As far as video recording specs go, the HOVERAir AQUA features a 1/1.28” CMOS sensor and records 4K video at up to 100 fps for crisp detail and smooth slow-motion footage. What’s cool about the AQUA, too, is that it comes with some intelligent flight modes, which isn’t anything new, but these include ones designed specifically for water activities like a Paddle Mode and a Kayak Mode.

The AQUA can also automatically capture perspectives that typically require complex equipment or a dedicated camera operator, so for solo creators it can be a nice cameraman replacement, further aided by SmoothCapture stabilization technology.

Some other key specs include:

• IP-67 Waterproof: Take off from and land directly on water.
• Pro-Grade Optics: 1/1.28” CMOS sensor, 4K/100fps slow-motion, and hydrophobic lens.
• High-Speed Tracking: Follows action at up to 55 km/h (34 mph) with Level 7 wind resistance.
• Hands-Free Control: Powered by the new Lighthouse wearable controller for a "Virtual Tether" experience.

Price and Availability

As mentioned above, the HOVERAir AQUA is now available globally; however, reports indicate that the “global” designation only includes countries outside the US, as the Chinese-based parent company is subject to the same effective ban impacting DJI drones as well.

For those outside of the US, the HOVERAir AQUA is available now at a starting price of $1,299. You can find more info on the company’s website here.