Best GoPro Mount for Kayak

No matter what type of GoPro you have, you need a reliable GoPro mount that offers an amazing viewing angle. However, choosing the best GoPro mount for kayaks is more complex than it seems because there are so many options.

Hi, my name is Larry. I’m an experienced GoPro user who’s been creating action and water sports content for nearly 10 years. I’ve gone kayaking with different GoPro mounts dozens of times and have curated a list of the best GoPro mounts I’m excited to share with you today.

In this in-depth guide, I’ll answer some common questions, explain what makes the best GoPro kayak mount, and share my top picks.

Let’s get your GoPro mounted!

Key Takeaways

• The best GoPro mount for kayaking depends on your creative vision and style of kayaking. 
• Mounting position and viewing angle are two of the most important factors when choosing the best GoPro mount for kayaking.
• The GoPro Suction Cup Mount is the best overall GoPro Kayak Mount.
• The GoPro Performance Chest Mount is a must-have mount for all kayakers. 

What Makes the Best GoPro Mount for Kayak

Before we dive into my list of the best GoPro kayak mounts, learning what makes the best mount is important. So, let’s dive into each important factor to consider about your next GoPro mount for kayaking. 

• Mounting Position: As I mentioned earlier, there are many ways you can mount your GoPro to your kayak or body. Therefore, finding the best mounting position for your specific use case is the most essential criterion in choosing the best GoPro mount. 
• Viewing Angle: Similar to the mounting position, you need to find a viewing angle that offers the best footage for the type of video you want to record. I recommend using a few different GoPro mounts to capture different angles. However, most GoPro mounts are adjustable to provide various viewing angles.
• GoPro Compatibility: While newer GoPro models have built-in mounting flaps that attach to GoPro mounts, older GoPro cameras require a housing unit to mount.
• Kayak Compatibility: Another important factor to consider is if the mount is compatible with your kayak. Some mounts require a built-in track mount system on your kayak to work properly. Therefore, your mount won’t do you much good if it’s not compatible with your kayak. 
• Permanent vs. Temporary Mounts: Some GoPro mounts are designed to attach to your kayak permanently. However, I didn’t include any permanent mounts on today’s list because I value flexibility and versatility. 

Top 7 Best GoPro Mounts for Kayaks

Now that you understand the crucial factors of what makes the best GoPro mount for kayaks, it’s time to choose your new mount! I created this list based on the wealth of experience I have using GoPro cameras while kayaking. 

Here are the top 7 best GoPro mounts for kayaks:

1. GoPro Suction Cup Mount (Best Overall)

• Mounting Position: Body of the kayak
• Viewing Angle: Flexible
• GoPro Compatibility: Compatible with all GoPro cameras

The GoPro Suction Cup Mount is the best option if you want to mount your GoPro to the body of your kayak. Since it’s easy to attach and detach, it lets you capture dozens of different angles while kayaking. 

Manufactured by GoPro itself, you can expect sturdy build quality and effectiveness. You can never go wrong with an official GoPro mount because they are more durable and secure than third-party manufacturers. 

I bring this mount whenever I plan on filming content because it’s lightweight and compact. But make sure to clean your boat’s surface before attaching the mount to ensure maximum stability. 

Best of all, this mount is proven at speeds over 150 miles per hour, so you can safely mount your GoPro without needing to worry about the mount falling into the water. This mount also features a quick release base for easy in and out.

However, before you take your mount into the water, make sure the suction cup works for your specific kayak. This isn’t a big deal for ocean kayaks as most of them have a gel-coated fiberglass finish where the suction mount works perfectly. 

But if you have a plastic molded kayak, like many white water kayaks, they have a texture that’s hard to stick the suction cup mount onto.  

My Verdict: The GoPro Suction Cup Mount is the best overall GoPro mount because it’s easily removable and can attach to nearly everywhere on your kayak. It’s also easy to transport and waterproof down to 40 meters or 131 feet.

2. GoPro Performance Chest Mount (Best Body Mount)

• Mounting Position: Chest of your body
• Viewing Angle: First-person point of view
• GoPro Compatibility: Compatible with all GoPro cameras

The GoPro Performance Chest Mount is one of my favorite mounts for kayaking. Although it’s not a traditional kayaking mount, it provides the viewer with a first-person point of view. It makes the viewer feel as if they are there paddling along with you, and it offers smoother footage than a head mount.   

This mount is better than a helmet or head strap mount because it’s much more comfortable and offers nearly the same viewing angle. It’s manufactured with stretchy nylon straps and lots of padding. In addition, the straps are breathable and dry out quickly when exposed to water. 

The chest straps on the GoPro Performance Chest Mount are easy to put on and take off due to its integrated quick-release buckle technology. Furthermore, the chest mount is adjustable to every body size.

In terms of downside, your paddle may obstruct the view of the footage if you use a longer paddle and use it close to your body. Furthermore, although the chest straps are padded, they can cause chaffing if used for a prolonged period of time. So, make sure you don’t tighten the straps around your body too much. 

My Verdict: The GoPro Performance Chest Mount captures beautiful first-person point of view footage of your kayaking adventures. I love how this mount captures your hands and paddles as you glide over the water. 

3. GoPro Hand + Wrist Strap Mount (Best Hand Mount)

• Mounting Position: Wrist of your arm
• Viewing Angle: Selfie or first-person point of view
• GoPro Compatibility: Compatible with all GoPro cameras

The GoPro Hand + Wrist Strap Mount is a controversial mount because some people, like myself, love wrist mounts, while other kayakers avoid them at all costs. However, in my opinion, the wrist mount provides an excellent way to capture selfie footage and an immersive point of view.

Nonetheless, I understand why people don’t like to use them. The footage the wrist strap records can be incredibly shaky if you continuously paddle and move your arms. However, I like using this on my leisurely rides when I’m less intense with my rowing.

Furthermore, the wrist strap mount is waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about damaging it while kayaking. This mount is also great for capturing photos due to its 360-degree rotation and ability to tilt your GoPro up or down. It’s also adjustable to fit most adult wrist sizes.

The primary downside to this mount is its price point. This is because it’s relatively more expensive than other options on this list and doesn’t offer the most stable GoPro footage. Furthermore, it can cause your hand and wrist to ache if you wear it for a prolonged period of time.

My Verdict: The comfortable official GoPro wrist strap is waterproof and offers 360-degree rotation. Therefore, you can film some selfie shots and then rotate your GoPro to capture the water ahead of you.

4. GoPro Jaws Flex Clamp (Best Clamp Mount)

• Mounting Position: Any slim object on your vessel, such as the cockpit edge or grab handle
• Viewing Angle: Flexible
• GoPro Compatibility: Compatible with all GoPro cameras

The GoPro Jaws Flex Clamp is one of the most popular GoPro mounts for kayaks. As the name states, this mount features a large and sturdy clamp. You can clamp this mount to nearly any object between 0.25 and 2 inches in thickness. 

Furthermore, the Jaws Flex Clamp features a removable gooseneck attachment system. The removable gooseneck is 8 inches long and provides unlimited adjustability to help you find the perfect viewing angle while recording kayaking footage. 

This is the most versatile GoPro mount I own since I can place it nearly anywhere and adjust the angle any way I’d like. Manufactured by GoPro itself, it’s incredibly sturdy and provides a strong hold to the object it’s attached to.

Similar to other official GoPro mounts, the Jaws Flex Clamp uses GoPro’s quick-release base system. As such, you can easily attach and detach your GoPro if you want to use different mounts while kayaking. 

However, it’s important to know that this mount will sink like a stone if dropped into the water. Also, since it’s made with high-quality metal, the mount is heavy. So, I recommend making sure the clamp is fully secure before traversing out onto the open water. 

My Verdict: The GoPro Jaws Flex Clamp is the easiest and fastest way to mount your GoPro onto your kayak. My favorite spot to place this mount is on the rim of my kayak’s cockpit. 

5. YakAttack PanFish Camera Mount (Best Small Track Mount)

• Mounting Position: Track system
• Viewing Angle: Flexible
• GoPro Compatibility: Compatible with all GoPro cameras

The YakAttack PanFish Camera Mount mounts directly onto any kayak track system. So if you already have a track system on your kayak, this mount is an excellent choice. Furthermore, this mount is compatible with all GoPro cameras and works with other digital cameras that use a standard ¼-20-mount.

Also, this mount uses PanFish’s proprietary LocknLoad and Camera Ball features for ultimate flexibility in your footage. Because of these systems, you can quickly adjust the viewing angle of your GoPro without needing to remove the GoPro from the mount.

In terms of build quality, this mount is crafted with rugged aluminum, which provides an outstanding combination of durability and weight savings. The PanFish mount also features a unique design that makes it very rigid but easy to rotate with one hand.

However, it’s important to remember this mount is only compatible with track systems. Since the track system is not included, you must have one prepared or order one separately. It’s also essential to note that this mount is shorter than some other track mounts like the PanFish Pro. 

For this reason, it’s best for low-angle shots of you or the water instead of a birds-eye view of your kayak.

My Verdict: The YakAttack PanFish Camera Mount is a premium track-holster for your GoPro camera. It’s designed to mount directly on any kayak track system, including manufacturers like Scotty Fishing Products, YakGear, and YakAttack. 

6. GoPro Pole Mount (Best Paddle Mount)

• Mounting Position: Your kayak paddle
• Viewing Angle: Action angle
• GoPro Compatibility: Compatible with all GoPro cameras

The GoPro Pole Mount attaches directly to your paddle and captures immersive rowing footage of your kayaking trip. You can either point it towards yourself or towards the water to record fascinating footage. This is a great mount to pair with other mounts if you want to make a creative and innovative kayaking video to share with friends and family. 

Since the mount goes onto your paddle, your GoPro records every movement you make with your hands. However, unless you paddle quickly as if you’re racing, the footage will be smooth and crystal-clear. 

The mount can clamp to any 0.35 to 1.4-inch diameter tube. Furthermore, this mount features a mounting buckle allowing you to move your GoPro between mounts on the fly. This enables quick and easy changes in perspective. 

As a paddle mount, this may not be your first choice as the best GoPro mount for kayaks. Therefore, I recommend this mount as an addition to other mounts in your GoPro kit. For example, I bring my GoPro Suction Cup Mount, GoPro Performance Chest Mount, and GoPro Pole Mount whenever I go kayaking. 

My Verdict: The GoPro Pole Mount is your paddle’s new best friend! You can mount it anywhere on your paddle, and it offers a 360-degree swivel allowing you to change viewing angles at the press of a button.

7. Brocraft Kayak Portable Camera Mount (Best Budget Track Mount)

• Mounting Position: Track system
• Viewing Angle: Flexible
• GoPro Compatibility: Compatible with all GoPro cameras

The Brocraft Kayak Portable Camera Mount is another GoPro mount that attaches directly to the track system on your kayak. It’s an incredibly sturdy mount and easy to install. The included aluminum shaft is 9 inches long, but you can purchase the BroCraft Extension Handle that’s 24 to 40 inches long for the ultimate birds-eye viewing angle.

This mount offers a 360-degree rotation, so you can easily change your viewing angle while kayaking. I’ve also seen kayakers modify this mount with a half-inch PVC tube for a DIY extension pole.

The best feature of this mount is its relatively low price point but excellent build quality compared to other track mounts. I really enjoy this mount’s ease of use and quick access while I’m kayaking.

However, the only downside to this mount is that it’s not long enough to capture every viewing angle. It’s able to record every viewing angle but height, but you can solve this issue by purchasing the extension handle mentioned above. 

My Verdict: The Brocraft Kayak Portable Camera Mount offers a 9-inch extender pole and 360-degree rotation to capture incredible viewing angles of your kayaking adventures.

Final Thoughts

Taking your GoPro on your kayaking adventures is an excellent way to capture memories and moments that last a lifetime. Not only are GoPro mounts for kayaks easy to use, but they also provide dozens of different viewing angles to create amazing videos to share with your friends and family.

Although there are hundreds of different kayaking mounts, the best pick is the GoPro Suction Cup Mount. This mount provides stable and reliable kayaking footage no matter what conditions you’re paddling through. The GoPro Performance Chest Mount is another excellent option I highly recommend.

So, which mount from today’s guide are you drifting toward? How long have you been kayaking, and what GoPro camera do you use? Also, do you have any more questions about kayaking and GoPro mounts? Let me know by sharing a short and sweet comment down below!