Experience Barbados from the air with a local drone professional. We will work with you to customize this trip to your needs.

Dates: We customize the dates based on your schedule.

This is an expedition participatory-style experience

The Trek is guided by Dr. Kim Baldwin, marine ecologist and drone mapping specialist with over 25 years of environmental work in the Caribbean.

Kim will customize this adventure to meet your desired outcome from capturing aerial video and photography to fine tuning your flying skills.

Participants can explore Barbados from ridge to reef — from regenerative agricultural landscapes and conservation wetlands to UNESCO World Heritage coastal zones — gaining insight into how drones support environmental monitoring, ethical storytelling, and responsible decision-making.

Dr. Kim Baldwin is a marine ecologist, participatory GIS specialist, and international drone

mapping trainer who has lived and worked in Barbados for over 25 years.

She has designed and led conservation drone programs across the Caribbean and globally, working with: Local community and non-profit environmental management groups, national government agencies, The University of the West Indies, United Nations and Caribbean regional initiatives

This Trek reflects the real projects, relationships, and places that define her work as a marine ecologist — offering guests access and insight not available through conventional tourism offering.

The experience can be designed to meet your desired outcomes from technical learning with experiential travel to taking you to the right locations to capture great aerial views.

Below is a list of options you can select from to design the trek around your desired outcomes. Select the option that best reflects what you would like to accomplish during the trek. Or, suggest an alternative option for us to design for you.

• Learn how drones are applied in real-world conservation and environmental monitoring within a small island context, including coastal, marine, and terrestrial environments

• Gain hands-on flying experience in authentic field conditions, accounting for wind, weather, terrain, and operational constraints common in island environments

• Understand ethical and responsible drone operations, including local regulations, international travel considerations, and best practices for conservation-focused work

• Capture imagery and video with purpose, creating high-quality aerial content that supports conservation storytelling, mapping, and environmental communication

• Build a practical portfolio of aerial imagery and video that reflects professional, conservation-based drone applications rather than recreational flying

• Experience Barbados beyond traditional tourism through curated field sites

👉 You do NOT need to be a drone pilot.

Trekking in Barbados is ideal for:

• Purpose-driven travelers seeking a meaningful, immersive experience

• Environmental professionals, scientists, planners, or conservation advocates

• Creators and storytellers interested in ethical environmental storytelling

• Drone pilots and non-pilots curious about real conservation applications

• Anyone drawn to responsible tourism, community engagement, and learning by doing

Daily opportunities for supported drone flying and photography are built into the field schedule. Drones are available, supported, and demonstrated throughout the Trek.

Participants may:

• Fly their own drone

• Use provided equipment

• Observe and engage at their comfort level

All participation is optional and supported.

Participants should expect light to moderate physical activity, including walking on beaches, coastal paths, and uneven natural surfaces in a warm and humid climate.

Some field locations may involve short walks over sand, rocky shorelines, or gently sloped terrain.

Activities are paced to accommodate varying fitness levels, with frequent breaks and flexibility built into the schedule.

Participants are not passive observers. Throughout the journey, they are encouraged to:

• Fly drones responsibly during guided field sessions (Days 2–4)

• Capture aerial imagery and video

• Develop short visual stories or photo sets

• Share selected imagery and maps back with local partners

• Engage respectfully with local practitioners and communities

This is a Drones-for-Good experience, centered on reciprocity, ethical practice, and real contribution.

• Group size: Small group. Customized to meet your needs. (1 - 4 participants)

• Drone experience: Not required

• Drones: Available and supported

• Drone licensing: Assistance provided for local compliance

  • Local drone license fee: approx. $15 USD

• Pre-trip orientation: Mandatory virtual briefing covering logistics and local drone policies

What you can expect:

• A learning-through-experience

• Focused on ethical drone use in the islands

• An opportunity to create imagery and media

What This Journey Is Not

• Not a drone certification course

• Not fast-paced or high-volume tourism

• Personal drone and batteries

• Laptop for reviewing and editing imagery (recommended)

• Chargers, power banks, and memory cards (no adapter needed)

• Sun protection, hat, sunscreen and bug spray

• Comfortable walking shoes, swim wear and sandals

• Lightweight field clothing suitable for warm conditions

• Supplemental drones for limited shared use (if needed)

• Assistance with obtaining local drone license ($15 USD)

• Transportation to/from curated field trips

• Field briefings, safety protocols, and local operational guidance

• Lunches on fieldwork days

Most international flights arrive between 12:00–3:00 PM.

• Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI), Barbados

• TREK host will handle your daily transportation for TREK activities

Once you are registered, you will be invited to participate in virtual planning sessions to answer questions, discuss travel logistics and TREK details.

Lodging is independent from the Trek. Once you've registered, your TREK host can suggest lodging options including Airbnb's and local hotels.

Participants will receive guidance and recommendations to help select lodging that fits their comfort level and budget. Options include:

• Airbnb / shared lodging: approx. $75–$125 per night (shared)

• Hotels: approx. $200+ per night

• Optional group villa: pricing dependent on group size and interest

Accommodation preferences will be coordinated after registration.

• Bookings and deposits: A deposit is required to secure your reservation. Deposits made 45 or more calendar days before the trip are refundable, minus a $100.00 administrative fee.

• 22–44 calendar days before departure: If you cancel during this window, your deposit will be applied toward a 35% cancellation fee of the total trip price; if the deposit does not cover the fee, the remaining balance will be charged.

• Within 21 calendar days of departure: No refunds; all payments are forfeited due to final supplier commitments.

• Refund processing: When a refund is due, we will process it within 14 business days of receiving written cancellation notice.

• How to cancel: All cancellations must be submitted in writing via the registration platform; the cancellation date is the date we receive your notice.

• Special circumstance resales: If we resell your place, we may offer a partial refund earlier at our discretion.

• Travel protection recommendation: We strongly encourage all participants to purchase travel insurance to cover trip cancellation, interruption, emergency medical expenses, baggage loss, and travel delays. For best protection, buy a policy when you pay your deposit or within the insurer’s specified purchase window.