Yes—many people do take non-waterproof cameras on kayaks, but some protection is a good idea. The most practical advice is to store the camera in a waterproof dry bag or watertight pouch when you’re not actively shooting. Choose one that fits the camera and, ideally, adds buoyancy so the camera is less likely to sink if dropped. Only take the camera out when conditions feel stable; if there’s wake, rougher water, or any chance of losing your grip, keep it bagged.

For more serious protection, some people use a hard waterproof case, though that’s bulkier and better suited when space allows.

A few handling tips from the water: a kayak is less stable than it feels, so use a faster shutter speed than you might normally choose to reduce blur from boat movement. It can also be easier to shoot forward rather than sideways, since the boat is usually more stable in that direction.

On calm water, many photographers consider the risk acceptable if they use a dry bag and use good judgment about when to shoot.