The HoverAir Aqua is 100% waterproof, floats on water, takes off and lands from the sea surface, tracks a wearable transmitter on your wrist, and shoots up to 4K/100 fps. It’s a drone for surfers, kayakers, and kiteboarders, not for precision piloting. The first units are expected to reach backers in December 2025.
Most drones love the ocean at first sight until they get kissed by drops. The HoverAir Aqua builds its career on this kiss: IP67 housing, buoyancy and take-off/landing on water. It follows you completely autonomously via the Lighthouse wearable transmitter and – if it capsizes – can get back on its feet. Yes, the “turtle turn” is no longer just for divers.
What is HoverAir Aqua?
Aqua is a “self-flying” camera—less drone, more smart, secure “flying third party” for water sports. Weighing under 249g, it typically doesn’t require registration in the US, and it aims to take you from water to air and back, without the fuss. It’s available for pre-order via Indiegogo.
Key highlights and specifications
- Recording: to 4K/100fps; the company states 1/1.28-inch sensor, some media reports 1/1.3-inch (the difference is negligible in practice).
- Lens: hydrophobic coating and self-heating anti-fog a solution to prevent drops from ruining the frame.
- Display and storage: 1.6-inch AMOLED on the nose of the drone for preview and settings, and 128GB built-in memory (UFS 2.2).
- Endurance: to 23 minutes years; Level 7 wind resistance (up to ~33 knots ≈ 61 km/h); tracking up to 55 km/h (34 mph).
- Weight and compliance: <249g, marked in the EU C0.
- Flight modes: 15+, including Snorkel and Mount.
Millimeter wave radar: why Aqua doesn't "go crazy" over the shiny surface
Water is a problem for visual flight systems: glare, spray, and uneven surfaces confuse many drones. Aqua uses millimeter wave radar, which detects waves and the height of the water surface, so it can take off/land more safely and maintain an extremely low altitude clearance – approximately 5cm above the surface. This is a big deal for stable, low “surfer-shot” shots.
Lighthouse: a wrist-worn “virtual rope” that keeps you in the frame
Instead of a classic remote control, you get Lighthouse, wearable (wrist) transmitter that tells the drone where you are, triggers takeoff and landing, changes modes, and activates Virtual TetherIf Aqua swims too far, it automatically flies back towards you. When combined with Lighthouse, the connection range increases to ~1 kmThis is very practical when waves and currents carry you faster than your friend's reactions.
Stabilization: pragmatic combination of 1-axis gimbal and EIS
Aqua does not hide the compromise: it has 1‑axis gimbal (tilt) and digital stabilization SmoothCapture 3.0 with “horizon leveling.” This works surprisingly well in the water, but it’s not a 3-axis cinematic gimbal like larger drones—set your expectations accordingly. The good news: the camera can be held still while swimming tilts downwards, so you get solid "below the surface" shots.
Price, packages and delivery
The campaign started with an early bird price $999 (Standard Combo), followed by $1,199 (Fly More) and $1,399 (Land & Sea). The manufacturer announces shipments in December 2025. As always with crowdfunding: deadlines are optimistic, so expect possible delays.
How Aqua is different from the “old sea wolves”
We didn't get waterproof drones yesterday. SwellPro SplashDrone 4 It has been landing and floating on water for years, but it is significantly larger, heavier, and a classically piloted machine. PowerVision PowerEgg X with a waterproof housing and floats, it occasionally solves similar tasks, but again in the "drone + remote" format. The HoverAir Aqua aims for something else: ultra-light, self-flying camera that dig with you and keeps you in the frame without any steering acrobatics.
Who will Aqua suit like a glove?
- Surfers, kayakers, paddlers, sailboats and jet skis: third-person shooting with hands on the oar or helm.
- Family water epic: safe shots of children on the beach without fear of sand and splashes.
- Solo creators: “set and forget” shooting without a pilot and without a phone in your hand (thanks, AMOLED screen).
Limitations and open questions
Aqua is a new format with ambitious promises. Life with sea salt is ruthless, so it will be long-lasting resistance of materials (bolts, seals, protections) decided the success or failure. Also 1‑axis mechanics have a limit when it comes to demanding cinematography, and December 2025 there is no tomorrow – experiences with crowdfunding they teach patience.
Specifications at a glance: HoverAir Aqua
- IP67, buoyancy, water takeoff/landing
- 4K/100 fps, 12 MP, 1/1.28″ (according to official materials)
- Hydrophobic, self-heating lens; SmoothCapture 3.0
- 1.6″ AMOLED; 128GB UFS 2.2
- Up to 23 min flight; Level 7 wind; 55 km/h tracking
- < 249 g; EU C0; 15+ ways; Virtual Tether; up to ~1 km with Lighthouse
- mmWave radar; hovering ~5 cm above the surface
Conclusion: a drone that is more “float or fly”
HoverAir Aqua is a hybrid between a drone and an action camera – and that’s not a marketing metaphor, it’s a function. If your stories are made on the water, the Aqua takes away the biggest stress: “what if we get wet?” But if you want a 3-axis film platform or instant purchase without waiting, stick with classic “dry” drones. For everyone else, the Aqua might be the most fun way to finally capture the waves the way you see them in your head.
