The 6 Best Drones For Sailing 2025
There’s no doubt that drones have taken the world by storm in recent years, and the best drones for sailing have come on leaps and bounds in terms of quality and affordability.
Drones can enhance sailing experiences by providing an aerial view of the surroundings. They can give family, friends, and a wider audience a real insight into what sailing life is like, and you can even use them to scout out a potential anchorage ahead of arrival.
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Having lived aboard our sailboat for over three years now and sailed thousands of miles, we’ve been through our fair share of drones. Some have been amazing, others not so much (the one that flew off of its own accord and crashed into a tree as soon as we turned it on has not made the list!)
In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best drones for sailing and provide tips on how to use them effectively, based on our own experiences and from using the drones of several of our sailboat friends to test them out for this article.
So, whether you’re a seasoned sailor or just getting started, be sure to read on for some helpful insights!
What Qualities Should You Look For In The Best Drone For Sailing?
If you’re looking for the best drones for sailing, there are a few key qualities you should look for.
Of course, the best drone to use is the one you have, so if you can’t afford a drone with some of these capabilities then we would highly recommend you opt for a cheaper model and accept the fact you can’t fly it in high winds, or that the video quality might not be as good.
Stability
First, you’ll want to make sure that the drone is stable in windy conditions. This is especially important if you’ll be using the drone to capture video or take photos while sailing.
We’ve all seen drone footage that’s shaky and all over the place, and the wind when you’re on a sailboat can be twice as bad as on land. For really decent footage from a sailboat drone, you’ll want one that has great stability even in high winds.
Flight time
One of the most annoying things about drones is their battery life! Just when you’re about to get the perfect shot, the battery runs low and you have to fly it back. Look for a drone with decent battery life, and even better, a sailing drone with more than one battery so you can swap over quickly without charging.
Video quality
Consider how you’re going to use the footage from your drone. If you’re happy with a few snapshots for the family photo album then quality might not be so important to you. If you’re keen to use photos and videos in a more professional capacity then you’ll want to keep a close eye on the video quality of the sailboat drone you’re buying.
Intuitive
You’ll want to make sure that the drone is easy to control. Look for a model with intuitive controls and a user-friendly interface. There is nothing worse than a drone that’s really fiddly or hard to control when you’re trying to launch and land it on a sailboat.
Top tip: Don’t forget to store your drone properly. Obviously this is good practice wherever you are but on a sailboat, it’s even more important. Saltwater and rolly surfaces are not great for delicate parts. We can highly recommend the Peak Design everyday sling. Perfect for onboard storage and trips off the boat too. Read our Peak Design sling review for more information.
The Best Drone For Sailing
#1 The DJI Phantom 4 Pro – Best all-round drone for sailing
The Pros
The DJI Phantom 4 Pro is one of the best drones for sailboats. It has a high-quality camera that can take stunning photos and videos, and it’s also incredibly easy to fly. We aren’t lucky enough to own one of these ourselves, but we do know several sailors who have them and have been kind enough to let us review them.
This is a sleek, high-end drone that can fly up to 45 miles per hour in favourable conditions. It can stand up to ocean strong winds so you needn’t worry about it being swept away when you need to nail the shot!
It can film 4k videos at 60 frames a second and is fitted with a 20-megapixel camera, so you won’t compromise on photo quality either. This really is an excellent sailboat drone.
The cons
The DJI Phantom 4 Pro is a high-end drone that offers excellent features and performance. However, there are some downsides to consider before purchasing this drone.
First, the Phantom 4 Pro is quite expensive, costing around $1,500. This makes it one of the most costly consumer drones on the market.
Secondly, the Phantom 4 Pro is large and heavy, making it difficult to transport and store.
Finally, the drone’s battery life is only about 20 minutes, which is shorter than some other drones in its class. This can actually be a bit of a pain, as although 20 minutes sounds like a long time, you really want to bring it in earlier so you don’t risk running out of battery on the way back.
Despite these drawbacks, the Phantom 4 Pro remains a popular choice for serious drone enthusiasts due to its excellent features and performance, and we can see why.
#2 The Yuneec Typhoon – Best for videography
The pros
The Yuneec Typhoon is a highly popular drone for sailing that offers several advantages over the other options on this list.
The Typhoon is very easy to fly, making it a great choice for beginners or those who are not familiar with drones, though the price may put first-time users off.
It has a decent camera which is capable of taking high-quality photos and videos. The Typhoon’s camera is also equipped with GPS, meaning that users can easily track their progress and location.
The main advantage of this sailing drone over other, cheaper models on this list is its stability feature. The Typhoon is a hexacopter with 6 propellers, which makes it extra stable even in the strongest winds. This means the videos and photo quality will be a cut above the rest in bad weather. If you’re a keen videographer then this might be the best drone for sailing for your needs.
The cons
The Yuneec Typhoon is a popular drone often lauded for its features and ease of use. However, there are some potential drawbacks to consider before purchasing this sailing drone.
This is an expensive drone. The reason for this is the stabilisation, but for users not familiar with drones or hobbyists, it may be a big expense for not much reward. Consider whether you need a technical, high-quality drone for your footage or whether you will be happy to fly your drone during fine weather.
#3 The DJI Mavic Pro 2 – Best high quality
The Pros
The DJI Mavic 2 Pro is an awesome bit of kit. This drone is one of our favorite drones for sale, and it may cost a pretty penny but you are certainly getting your money’s worth!
This powerful flying machine features a 20-megapixel camera with inbuilt stability technology to improve picture quality no matter what kind of weather conditions you’re experiencing out there.
Not only does this high-tech gadget have 8GB of storage capacity, it’s also SD card friendly so you can add a whopping 128 gigabytes via SD card slots if you need more space.
This drone has one of the longest flight times on this list, 30 minutes worth of flying fun. It’s also tiny, so you won’t have any trouble storing it aboard.
The Cons
Honestly, the only real con to this sailing drone is the price tag, but even then it’s well worth the money!
#4 The Parrot Bebop 2 – Best mid-range option
The Pros
The Parrot Bebop 2 Power is the improved version of the former model. This drone has one of the most impressive flight times on this list, boasting up to 30 minutes in the air.
Key features like automated shot modes make this drone easier to fly, and we especially love the follow object mode that allows you to hand over a little more control to the drone.
The drone comes with two batteries and a range of other fun accessories. You can pick one up for around £600, so while it certainly isn’t cheap, it isn’t one of the most expensive drones on this list either.
The Cons
The Bebop 2’s video quality is only slightly better than that of its predecessor, which is a shame considering the price.
With in-app purchases, you can unlock more features for this drone like emergency crashing protection and increased storage capacity– but you might be put off by the fact you have to pay for features that other drone brands include in the price.
You should be aware that it’s limited to 8GB of internal storage.
#5 Holy Stone HS700E – Best budget drone for sailing
The Pros
Holy Stone’s HS700E is a great drone for those who want to get up high and see all that their surroundings have to offer. This is one of the cheaper drone models on this list and it’s a great option for beginners who want to hone in their skills before splashing out on something more premium. This is a rugged drone that is well suited to the sailing environment.
This model comes with three intelligent batteries, which provide 23 minutes each time you fly it. You won’t be faffing around charging batteries before you can fly again.
The brushless motors are powerful but quiet so as not to disturb anyone around you when in operation. Additionally, there’s an air optical flow control system included that allows this birdie bot to take flight smoothly and hover stably.
#6 The Splash Drone 3 Auto – Best waterproof drone for sailing
The Pros
This drone is pretty unique, and perfectly suited to sailing because it’s actually designed for wet and wild surroundings.
The Splash Drone 3 Auto is completely waterproof, so you can even land it in the ocean and it won’t mind one little bit (though depending on how deep the sea is at the time of the crash, you might have a thing or two to say!)
This is a bit of a gimmicky drone at the moment and hasn’t quite reached the quality of the other drones on this list. The main benefit is its waterproof capabilities, so you can feel comfortable flying it over shallow anchorages. But that’s not to say it isn’t a great drone for making memories with.
It has a flight time of around 15 minutes, so one of the shorter flight times on this list but still enough to get the shot. It reaches top speeds of 30 knots – we’re pretty sure that will keep up with your sailboat. It has stabilisation that’s adequate and will record 4k footage.
In summary, this is a fab little drone that you can feel confident about flying in the wet conditions that sailing life brings.
Why Use A Drone On A Sailboat?
Sailboat drones have become more and more popular among sailors in recent years, and for good reason. Not only are they a unique and creative way of capturing memories and creating beautiful artwork, but they can actually be quite useful too!
Drones can also be used to help sailboats navigate through difficult waters. Thanks to their small size and maneuverability, drones can be used to explore areas that would be otherwise inaccessible. For example, a drone could be used to investigate a reef before sailing into it.
Can You Fly A Drone Off Your Sailboat?
The answer is yes, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
First of all, make sure that you’re using a drone that is rated well for use on a sailboat (any from this list will work great). It needs to withstand the force of the wind and other less than ideal conditions.
You will also want to read up on how to land a drone on a sailboat (see below). It’s a little trickier than a simple land-based landing, so make sure you practice on land first to make sure you’ve got the hang of it.
You’ll also want to make sure that you’re familiar with the local laws and regulations regarding drone use. In some areas, there may be restrictions on where you can fly your drone, so it’s important to check before you take off.
With those things in mind, flying a drone off your sailboat can be a great way to get some unique footage or photos. Just make sure to follow the guidelines and stay safe!
How Do You Catch A Drone On A Sailboat?
There are a few things to consider when trying to catch a drone on a sailboat.
Disable the Obstacle Avoidance System
Most drones have an obstacle avoidance system that prevents them from crashing into objects. This is usually really handy, but with so many things around on a sailboat the drone can start acting up. It’s actually easier to land a drone on a sailboat with the obstacle avoidance system disabled.
Land your sailboat drone from the side of the boat
This is usually the best direction to fly the drone home from, as there are fewer obstacles. Take your approach from the side of the boat to give yourself as much room as possible.
Slow is pro
Take your time and be prepared to have a few attempts. The worst thing you can do is to try and rush a landing on a sailboat. Make sure you aren’t trying to multi-task, and that you can concentrate fully on the job at hand!
Catch the drone from where you have the most space
Finally, it’s also worth considering where on the sailboat you’re positioned. The bow (front) of the boat will offer the best visibility, but it may be easier to catch a drone from the stern (back) where there is more open space.
Ultimately, there is no one guaranteed method for catching a drone on a sailboat, but by taking into account factors like wind and position, you’ll give yourself the best chance of success.
Conclusion: The Best Sailboat Drone
If you are looking for the best drone for sailing, then we highly recommend the drones we have reviewed on this list, that have been tried and tested by experienced sailors.
Drones are perfect for capturing stunning footage of your sailboat as it cuts through the waves, or showing off the stunning anchorages you experience on your journeys. So whether you’re filming professionally or capturing memories, make sure you have your sailboat drone with you next time you head out on the water.
If you’re interested in life on a sailboat then be sure to check out our ‘How to live at sea’ guidebook, which teaches you all you need to know before and during your move onto a sailboat.
