Best Underwater Strobes & Flashes of 2025

Alan Eaton Avatar
Alan Eaton
Last Updated: Jan 2, 2025

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Underwater strobes and flashes are essential tools for capturing stunning photographs and videos in the depths of the ocean. These devices emit powerful bursts of light, illuminating underwater scenes and bringing out the vivid colors of marine life. They're ideal for divers, snorkelers, and underwater photographers who want to capture the beauty of the underwater world. Some of the best underwater strobes and flashes on the market today come from top brands like Sea & Sea, Ikelite, and Olympus. These devices are designed to be durable, waterproof, and easy to use, making them perfect for both amateur and professional photographers. With the help of an underwater strobe or flash, anyone can capture breathtaking underwater images that are sure to impress.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Sea & Sea YS-03 Strobe Cover #TOP 1
Sea & Sea YS-03 Strobe
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Sea & Sea YS-01 Solis Strobe Cover #TOP 2
Sea & Sea YS-01 Solis Strobe
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Sea Dragon Duo 3000F Flash Set Cover #TOP 3
Sea Dragon Duo 3000F Flash Set
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Underwater Strobes & Flashes

#TOP 1

Sea & Sea YS-03 Strobe

Sea & Sea
SS-03125
Black
Sea & Sea YS-03 Strobe Cover
Sea & Sea YS-03 Solis Strobe

The Sea & Sea YS-03 is an excellent choice for underwater photography, offering easy and versatile slave TTL capabilities. You can enjoy simple controls that make it user-friendly, even for beginners. The strobe comes with a diffuser, which helps to soften the light and reduce harsh shadows in your photos. Additionally, it's important to use genuine SEA&SEA Fiber-Optic Cables for optimal functionality, ensuring features like TTL auto exposure work seamlessly. This combination of features makes the YS-03 a reliable tool for capturing stunning underwater images.

What We Like
User-friendly controls
Versatile TTL capabilities
Includes light diffuser
Requires genuine fiber-optic cables
#TOP 2

Sea & Sea YS-01 Solis Strobe

Sea & Sea
SS-03124
Black
One Size
Sea & Sea YS-01 Solis Strobe Cover
Sea & Sea YS-01 Solis Strobe

The Sea & Sea YS-01 Solis Strobe is an underwater strobe designed to be used with a camera with built-in flash in housing, using a fiber-optic cable. It is recommended to use genuine SEA&SEA fiber-optic cables to ensure proper function, including TTL auto exposure. With increased light intensity, this strobe is perfect for capturing stunning underwater photos and videos.

What We Like
Easy to use with a camera with built-in flash in housing
Increased light intensity for better underwater photography and videography
Compatible with genuine SEA&SEA fiber-optic cables
#TOP 3

Sea Dragon Duo 3000F Flash Set

SL690
Multi
One Size
Sea Dragon Duo 3000F Flash Set Cover
Sea Dragon Duo 3000F Flash Set

The Sea Dragon Duo 3000F Flash Set features a powerful LED light with a wide 120-degree beam that quickly adjusts between 3 power levels and an automatic 10-step brightness control. The universal flash can function with various brands of underwater cameras and fits all cameras with a standard tripod mount. This set also offers quick and easy expansion with Flex-Connect accessories for versatile shooting. The Sea Dragon 3000F Auto light has 3000 lumens of white light and 180 lumens of red light with a run time of up to 240 minutes at quarter power. The Sea Dragon Flash has a beam angle of 80 degrees horizontal and 60 degrees vertical with an effective underwater distance range of up to 8 feet.

What We Like
Quickly adjust between power levels and brightness control
Works with various brands of underwater cameras
Easy expansion with Flex-Connect accessories
#TOP 4

Sea Dragon Universal Flash Head

SL9631
Black
Sea Dragon Universal Flash Head Cover
Sea Dragon Universal Flash Head

The Sea Dragon Universal Flash Head is a versatile underwater flash that works with various brands of underwater cameras, including SeaLife, Olympus, Canon, and Nikon. It features an adjustable brightness that can be fine-tuned manually or set to automatic mode, which automatically adjusts the brightness. The flash head is constructed with a durable fiber-reinforced polycarbonate body and marine-grade stainless steel hardware, and it has a waterproof battery compartment. The flash is rated for use up to 200 feet (60 meters) deep and has a quick-release button to detach it. The coiled optical cable extends from 15 inches (38cm) to 30 inches (76cm), and the flash has an effective underwater distance range of up to 8 feet (2.5m).

What We Like
Versatile; works with various brands of underwater cameras
Adjustable brightness for optimal exposure
Durable construction with waterproof battery compartment
#TOP 5

Sea & Sea YS-D3 Strobe

Sea & Sea
SS-03123
black
Sea & Sea YS-D3 Strobe Cover
Sea & Sea YS-D3 Lightning Strobe

The Sea & Sea Strobe is designed to enhance your underwater photography experience. It boasts a maximum guide number of 33, allowing you to capture stunning images even in low-light conditions. The innovative aspherical toroidal lens ensures an even distribution of light, eliminating hotspots that can ruin your shots. With a wide beam angle of 120°, and an optional diffuser for even wider coverage, you can illuminate larger scenes effortlessly. Plus, you’ll appreciate the two-stage signal that provides both visual and audible notifications when the strobe is ready to fire, ensuring you never miss a moment.

What We Like
Even light dispersion
Wide beam angle
Visual and audible signals
Auto power off feature
#TOP 6

Sealife Sea Dragon 3000F Auto

SL678
Black
Sealife Sea Dragon 3000F Auto Cover
Sea Dragon 3000F Auto

The Sealife Sea Dragon 3000F is a powerful photo-video light that delivers 3000 lumens in a wide beam, with automatic modes that enable it to adjust brightness based on flash or strobe use and distance to the subject. It includes two RED LEDs that aid in navigating in darkness without frightening animals, and has vibrant colors and brightness that add depth to underwater pictures and videos. The light and battery feature integrated protective circuits that cut power in the event of overheating or short circuits, ensuring safety while in use.

What We Like
Powerful 3000 lumen light head with a wide beam
Automatic modes adjust brightness based on flash or strobe use and distance to the subject
Includes 2 RED LEDs for navigation in darkness without frightening animals
Produces vibrant colors and brightness, adding depth to underwater pictures and videos
Safety features cut power in the event of overheating or short circuits
#TOP 7

HolaFoto ST100 Pro Underwater Flash

HolaFoto
HF800327
HolaFoto ST100 Pro Underwater Flash Cover
Seafrogs ST100 Pro Underwater Strobe Waterproof Camera Flash Light for Seafrogs Underwater Housing, Support 5 Pin Socket or Optic Cable Connection- [100m/325ft]

The HolaFoto ST100 Pro is designed for underwater photography enthusiasts who want to capture stunning images with ease. Its powerful Guide Number of 32 and wide 100x100-degree coverage allow you to illuminate every detail beneath the waves. The lightweight and compact design ensures that it won’t weigh you down during your adventures. Additionally, the built-in shutter-linked focus light offers a bright 800 lumens to help you focus on your subject, automatically turning off when you take a shot to save battery. With versatile flash modes, you’ll enjoy precise exposure control for all your underwater photography needs.

What We Like
Powerful illumination
Compact and lightweight
Auto-off focus light
Flexible flash modes
#TOP 8

Sea & Sea YS-40A Underwater Strobe

Sea & Sea
LYSB0000DYJOR-ELECTRNCS
Sea & Sea YS-40A Underwater Strobe Cover
Sea & Sea YS-40A Strobe Underwater Flash f/ MX-10

The Sea & Sea YS-40A Strobe is designed to enhance your underwater photography experience. Its built-in prism diffuser creates a wide beam of light, allowing you to capture vibrant images even in challenging lighting conditions. The strobe features infrared optical triggering, which synchronizes perfectly with your camera shutter for seamless shooting. Plus, the absence of cords or cables means you won’t have to worry about leaks at the flash connection, ensuring reliable performance. With these features, you can focus on capturing stunning underwater scenes without technical hassles.

What We Like
Wide beam coverage
Seamless synchronization
No cables, no leaks
#TOP 9

Sea Frogs SF-01 Waterproof Strobe

Sea frogs
Seafrogs SF-01
Sea Frogs SF-01 Waterproof Strobe Cover
Seafrogs SF-01 Waterproof Strobe Underwater Video Light Flash for DSLR Camera Underwater Photography for Sony Canon Nikon Panasonic Fujifilm

The Sea Frogs Strobe Light is a compact and powerful tool for underwater photography. With a guide number of 32 and a wide 120-degree coverage, you can capture stunning images with minimal effort. The built-in focus light offers 200 lumens, automatically shutting off when you take a shot, ensuring you have the right light when you need it. Additionally, the improved Learning Mode helps you achieve precise exposure, while the 7-step manual flash control allows for fine-tuning your settings. Plus, the automatic power-off feature saves energy, making it convenient for longer shoots.

What We Like
Powerful underwater coverage
Automatic focus light
Energy-efficient design
Precise exposure control
#TOP 10

Seafrogs ST-100 Pro Underwater Strobe

Starbea
ST-100 Pro
Seafrogs ST-100 Pro Underwater Strobe Cover
Seafrogs ST-100 Pro 328FT/100M Underwater Photography Strobe Flash Light with Optical Fiber Cable for Sony Olympus Nikon Canon Fujifilm Dive Camera Housing

The Seafrogs ST-100 Pro is an essential tool for underwater photography enthusiasts. With a waterproof depth of 328 feet, you can confidently capture vibrant images even in the deepest waters. Its sturdy aluminum alloy construction ensures durability and resistance to corrosion, making it reliable for long-term use. The arm's optimal length of 4.43 inches provides flexibility and stability, allowing you to adjust your light position easily. Plus, the 1-inch ball mount connection offers a secure fit for precise lighting adjustments, enhancing your underwater shooting experience.

What We Like
Deep diving capability
Durable aluminum construction
Flexible arm length
Secure lighting adjustments
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are strobes in underwater photography?

Strobes, also known as flashes or flashguns, are essential in underwater photography. They are used to light up subjects underwater and can be positioned in different ways to achieve various effects.

2. Do underwater cameras have flash?

Most underwater cameras come with a built-in flash. While it may not be extremely powerful, it can still be useful for illuminating subjects in close proximity and providing some enhancement to the photo.

3. Are strobes better than lights for underwater photography?

Strobes are generally preferred over constant lights for underwater photography. Strobes are more effective in capturing light-sensitive sea creatures and have better battery life compared to continuous LED lights.

4. Do you need strobes for underwater photography?

Strobes are necessary for underwater photography, even in sunny conditions with good visibility. Without strobes, colors below a certain depth will be washed out, resulting in flat and blue-green images.

5. How does an underwater strobe work?

Underwater strobes are flash guns that provide artificial light to compensate for the absorption of light underwater. They are essential for producing vibrant and colorful underwater images, as without strobes, photos tend to have a dull blue hue.

6. How many lumens is good for underwater lights?

For underwater lights, a brightness of at least 1500 lumens or more is recommended, preferably around 2000 lumens. Lumens are the unit of measurement for brightness, and having a higher lumen count ensures sufficient illumination in underwater photography.

Editor's Notes

During our underwater strobes & flashes research, we found 16 underwater strobes & flashes products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 2,200 customer reviews through our big data system to write the underwater strobes & flashes list. We found that most customers choose underwater strobes & flashes with an average price of $346.67.

The underwater strobes & flashes are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of underwater strobes & flashes, including Sea & Sea, SeaLife, HolaFoto, Sea frogs, Starbea. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 79 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
Alan Eaton Avatar

Alan Eaton is a seasoned writer whose expertise is in anything related to electronics, such as headphones, monitoring equipment, computer, and so on, built over a 15-year career in the technology industry. Working in the trade during his youth, he accumulated a great deal of knowledge about machinery.