Can you fly a drone in international waters?

Yes, it can be legal, but international waters aren't a rule-free zone. Beyond a country's 12-nautical-mile territorial sea, the airspace is international, and the coastal country's drone laws generally stop applying. You still need the vessel's permission, international aviation rules still apply, and the moment your drone crosses back inside 12 nautical miles, that country's laws apply again.

Whose rules apply over the ocean? — Within 12 nautical miles of shore, the coastal country's drone laws apply. Beyond that is international airspace, where ICAO rules and the ship's own rules still apply.

The 12-mile line

Under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, a coastal country's territorial sea extends up to 12 nautical miles (about 22 km) from its baseline, and its airspace goes with it. In the US, that means FAA rules apply to flights within 12 nautical miles of the coast: the TRUST test or Part 107, registration, Remote ID, 400 ft and controlled airspace authorization.

Beyond 12 nautical miles, the airspace over the high seas is international. Aviation there follows the Rules of the Air set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the country where an aircraft is registered can still hold its operator to its own rules. Your FAA registration doesn't stop being yours just because you left US airspace.

What still applies offshore

The ship's rules. On a boat, the captain has authority over everything launched from it. Most cruise lines ban passenger drones outright. See flying a drone from a cruise ship.
The flag state. A vessel is subject to the laws of the country it's registered in, which may cover activities on board.
Military areas. Offshore warning areas and naval exercises are common off US coasts. Stay well clear of warships and military aircraft.
Other countries' waters. In the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, you can cross into another country's territorial sea quickly. Check its rules in drone laws by country.
Wildlife laws. Harassing whales, dolphins or seabirds can break the law of the flag state or the nearest coastal country.

The practical problems at sea

The legal side is often the easier part. Flying from a moving boat is hard:

Return to Home goes to the takeoff point, which is now open water. Plan to land manually, and know what RTH will do on signal loss before you launch.
Compass and GPS can be confused by a steel hull and a moving deck. Calibrate on land before the trip.
Wind over open water is stronger than it feels on deck, and a drone flying into it can run out of battery.
Landing on a small deck takes practice. Clear a landing spot away from rigging and people, and practice precision landings on land first.

A drone that goes into the ocean is usually lost. Read what to do if your drone fell in water and consider DJI Care Refresh. It covers water damage when you recover the drone, but a drone lost at sea is only covered by plans that include flyaway protection.

Bottom line

Fly offshore only with the captain's permission, outside military areas, and well clear of other countries' waters unless you know their rules. Treat your normal FAA limits as the minimum standard, even when they don't strictly apply.

Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.