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Going on a water adventure? A dependable flashlight is an important addition to your gear.
For the keen readers amongst you, the Fenix PD36R stands out with its waterproof design and long battery life.
Discover the best options for a reliable waterproof flashlight today.
To help you make an informed choice, we have compiled a list of the top waterproof flashlights suitable for kayaking, boating, or fishing.
Top 9 Best Waterproof Flashlights Reviewed
1: Fenix PD36R Rechargeable Flashlight (best overall)
- Lumens: 1,600
- Power type: rechargeable 5,000 mAh lithium-ion battery
- Light type: LED
- Battery life: 2 hours 50 mins. (min.), 115 hours (max.)
- Material: aluminum
- Weight: 5.6 ounces
The Fenix PD36R is one of the best flashlights out there but it is not cheap. Its waterproof construction and compact size makes it the best choice for kayaking and boating.
As well as having a high-capacity battery, this flashlight also delivers bright light, with a 1,600-lumens output.
This can run for almost 3-hours on the brightest mode and as much as 115-hours on the 30-lumens mode.
This Fenix flashlight can be easily charged using a USB-C port with the included USB-C charging cable. It also displays a low-voltage warning and a battery level indicator so you know when it’s time to charge and when it’s ready to go.
It has a durable aircraft-grade aluminum construction with a knurled finish for enhanced grip. It also has a lifetime guarantee against defects and workmanship, plus five years of free repairs.
It is waterproof and can survive being submerged in 3-feet of water for at least half an hour.
Pros
- Excellent battery life
- Quality construction
- Bright light
- Compact size
Cons
- Not cheap
2: Coast XP11R Professional Series Flashlight (best rechargeable)
- Lumens: 2,100
- Power type: ZX1000 ZITHION-X rechargeable battery or 3 AAA batteries (not included)
- Light type: LED
- Battery life: 5 hours (min.), 37 hours (max.)
- Material: aluminum
- Weight: 5.7 ounces
This Coast XP11R Professional Series flashlight is one of the best rechargeable flashlights for kayaking because it has multiple charging options. It has an integrated Pro-Tek USB-C charging port. This lets you charge the battery either inside the light or outside.
It also has dual power options. So you can run the flashlight off of three AAA batteries instead. This gives you the option of continuing to use the flashlight while the other battery is charging.
Another great feature is the real-time battery life indicator. This can let you see when it’s time to recharge the flashlight or switch your batteries.
The XP11R has an excellent output, delivering 1,000 lumens of light on high power for as long as 5 hours. It also has a Turbo mode with a sharp ray of light, with 2,100 lumens to see 720-feet in the distance with clear visibility. The high mode has a distance of 508-feet.
This is water-resistant with a rating of IPX4, so it’s not designed to be submerged but will withstand paddle splashes, sea spray, and wet weather.
Pros
- Dual power options
- Easy to charge
- Good battery life on high power
- Battery level indicator
Cons
- Not fully submersible
3: Klarus G15 4000 Lumens Ultra Bright Rechargeable Flashlight (best for long use)
- Lumens: 4,000
- Power type: 5,000 mAh lithium battery
- Light type: LED
- Battery life: 1 hour 30 mins. (min), 200 hours (max.)
- Material: aluminum
- Weight: 5 ounces
The Klarus G15 is a durable flashlight that can be an ideal option for taking on long boating trips. This has a variety of modes, from Moonlight and Turbo to emergency modes, including SOS. So it’s a versatile flashlight for a range of activities and uses.
This flashlight can run for an incredible amount of time – up to 200 hours or 5 hours a day for 40 days in Moonlight mode.
The Klarus G15 is lightweight and compact, making it a good choice for kayaks and small boats where gear space is restricted. It has a clip on the side so you could attach it to a belt but it is small enough to put in your pocket.
This is completely waterproof, with an IPX rating of 8 so it’s ready for all types of water activities.
However, the beam is not perfect if you want to be able to see long distances for a long duration. It doesn’t have a high run time on high power.
Pros
- Runs for several days on low modes
- SOS mode
- Compact size
- Fully waterproof
Cons
- Beam is not very strong
4: Pelican 7600 Rechargeable Tactical Flashlight (best tactical)
- Lumens: 944
- Power type: lithium-ion rechargeable battery
- Light type: LED
- Battery life: 3 hours 15 mins. (min.), 29 hours (max.)
- Material: anodized aluminum
- Weight: 6.9 ounces
The Pelican 7600 Tactical Flashlight is a highly durable and waterproof tactical flashlight. It features three colored LED lights: white, red, and green. And it has four running modes and a tactical tail switch. But it’s a little expensive.
With 944-lumens on high power, this flashlight can run for 3 hours and 15 minutes and deliver a beam of light up to 738-feet away. On low mode (37-lumens) it can run for 29 hours, so it can be a good choice to use for a kayak camping trip as well as paddling at night.
This Pelican flashlight features a rechargeable battery that can be easily charged using the included USB cable. But there’s also the option of using disposable CR123 batteries (not included) if you have no way of charging it.
It is fully submersible so it can withstand a capsize or kayak roll. It also has a lifetime guarantee, so if you break it, Pelican will replace it.
Pros
- Durable tactical flashlight
- Lifetime guarantee
- Fully waterproof
- Three colors of LED lights
Cons
- Pricey
5: Fenix LD30 Rechargeable Flashlight (most compact)
- Lumens: 1,600
- Power type: lithium-ion battery
- Light type: LED
- Battery life: 1 hour 30 mins. (min.), 70 hours 30 mins. (max.)
- Material: aluminum
- Weight: 3.7 ounces
The Fenix LD30 is a compact flashlight that packs a lot of power into its easy-to-carry size. With a turbo mode that can run for as long as an hour and a half, this can let you see clearly up to 673-feet into the distance. However, on medium power, the beam only goes as far as 311-feet.
The lowest mode can run for over 70 hours, still delivering a decent 30-lumens of light. So it can be useful for night kayaking or camping.
This is a lightweight flashlight that features SOS modes and is submersible in 6-feet of water.
It has a dual-position body clip and, at just 4-inches long, it can also be easily packed into a pouch on your PFD or your pocket.
The LD30 has a tough exterior for added durability, including aircraft-grade aluminum construction and an easy-to-hold grip. There is a tactical tail switch and a side switch for versatility.
It comes with a rechargeable battery but it can also be powered with two C123A batteries (not included).