Most boats don't rent professional underwater camera systems. A few specialized photo operators rent compact systems and GoPros.
Renting professional underwater camera gear on liveaboards is rare
The combination of high replacement cost (a top-spec housing + camera + strobes can run $10,000-30,000), the risk of flooding or damage in another diver's hands, and the technical complexity (every photographer wants different settings) makes it impractical for most operators.
What you can sometimes rent on board: GoPro Hero models with basic dive housings ($25-50/day), compact action cameras with limited manual control, basic dive lights for video, and occasionally entry-level compact systems (Olympus TG-6, Sony RX100) on photo-specialty operators. Strobes are almost never rented because of the calibration and flooding risk.
Where to actually rent: dive shops in destination cities (Cancún, Hurghada, Manado, Bali) sometimes rent compact-to-mid-range setups for the week. Companies like Backscatter and Reef Photo offer pre-trip rental shipping for serious gear (Sony A7 + Nauticam housing + strobes) — book 4-6 weeks ahead. Some Maldives and Indonesian photo workshops include rental gear in the workshop fee.
If you want to try underwater photography without buying a full setup: rent a GoPro and underwater housing from a local dive shop ($15-30/day), invest in a basic compact + housing combo (Olympus TG-6 + housing + tray = ~$1,200), or join a 'photo workshop' liveaboard where rental gear and instruction are bundled.
Insurance for owned gear: standard travel insurance rarely covers underwater camera damage
DAN's dive equipment insurance, AquaTech and DEPP (Diving Equipment Protection Plan) all offer specialized policies for underwater photo gear at $100-300/year. Worth it if your setup costs more than $3,000.
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