Flying A Drone from A Boat: Safety, Best Practices & Key Dangers

Flying a drone from a boat is one of the most exciting, but challenging, things you can do as a photographer. Despite the challenges, the rewards are plenty. Whether you are capturing rarely seen landscapes, towering icebergs or marine wildlife from above, while the boat glides through the waters, it can feel absolutely magical & exhilarating. But the risks are also real. I have flown my drone from dozens of boats over the years, mostly during photo workshops in Greenland. During these adventures I have seen everything from flawless takeoffs to drones vanishing into the sea.

In this article, I want to share my first-hand experience, including the best practices, common dangers, and the safety procedures I teach participants on my workshops. Whether you fly a DJI Mini 3 Pro or a DJI Mavic 4 Pro, these principles apply to every pilot who wants to fly safely from a moving or anchored vessel. Grab a cup of coffee (or tea!) and sail with me through my top tips when flying your drone from a boat.

Want to join me on of my boat-based photography workshops? Make sure to check out my dedicated page with photo workshops in Greenland.

Thanks to Greg Purnell for taking the cover photo to this article, which is a lovely photo of me landing my drone on the East Greenland Photo Expedition in August 2025.

The sailboat Tilvera in a remote fjord in East Greenland

Over the years I have built up a lot of experience with flying from small boats such as this quaint sailboat named Tilvera during my 2024 photo expedition to East Greenland.

Why Flying A Drone From A Boat Is Different

Flying from land gives you stability, predictable takeoff conditions, and a reliable home point. When you’re flying from a boat you get none of that. There is a lot more to think about and consider. Just to name a few examples: a boat moves all the time in all directions (also up & down) even when anchored, there are ropes & cables everywhere and very little room for error.

What makes it even trickier is that drones rely on GPS for positioning and for all automated functionality such as the RTH (Return To Home) functionality. On a moving boat, relying on such functionality is a disaster waiting to happen. If you lose connection, your drone will try to fly back to its original home point which is likely somewhere over open water. That’s why understanding & mastering manual control, battery management, and communication on board are absolutely critical.

So what is the best way to avoid disaster when flying your drone from a boat?

Flying A Drone From A Boat: Safety, Best Practices & Key Dangers

Flying your drone from a boat gives you vantage points you could never get from land. This massive iceberg was floating roughly 10 kilometers from the nearest shoreline, in a very remote area in Greenland.

This iceberg was captured on a moody and very windy day which made it tricky to takeoff and land on the sailboat we were on.

Best Practices For Safe Drone Flights From Boats

Over the years, I’ve developed a set of rules that I follow and teach on every workshop where we have to fly from a boat. These aren’t just guidelines: they have helped avoid unnecessarily stressful situations, saved drones (& footage!) and calmed nerves more times than I can count.

1. Always Hand Launch And Hand Land

Takeoff & landing from your hand is the safest and most controlled option to fly from any boat. On any boat, open space is generally sparse. Decks are rarely clear and ropes, antennas, or uneven surfaces can throw off your drone’s sensors and make the whole procedure much more complicated. This is especially true when the boat is moving, which means that as soon as your drone takes off from deck, it stays stationary in relation to takeoff point but the boat continues moving. That means it could immediately hit something. The same is true when landing. By taking off & landing by hand you can more quickly get the drone up or down and keep it controlled in even the smallest of open spaces.

Additionally, when performing a takeoff procedure from a boat, it is even more important to make sure you have a proper GPS lock and a locked home point before flying away from the boat.

If you’re unsure how you can safely hand launch and hand land, I highly recommend having a look at my Drone Photography Masterclass where we not only delve deep into drone photography, but also teach you how to safely perform hand takeoff and landings.

Hand launching and hand landing a drone is one of the most useful skills you can learn – especially when you plan to fly from boats. In the Drone Photography Masterclass, we spent an entire video lesson on how to do it safely.

2. Identify & Use The Most Open Area Of The Boat When Possible

Make sure to give yourself plenty of space by taking off and landing at the most open space on the deck. Before flying, always identify where is the most ideal place to takeoff and land from. On most boats this is either the middle or the back (aft) of the boat. I find that, depending on the boat you are on, they are generally the most stable areas while also being clear of obstacles such as ropes or railings. This, of course, varies between vessels.

3. Fly Away From The Boat First Before Ascending

Once your drone lifts off from your hand, immediately fly away from the boat (10+ meters) before climbing in altitude. This makes sure that you avoid getting caught up by the boat while it is moving, hitting the mast(s) or people nearby. It is also vital to identify what direction the wind is coming from and how the boat is moving. This will help you pick the best trajectory to fly away to before ascending. Generally you want to be in a space where the movement of the boat is going away from where the drone will hover after takeoff, while also making sure the wind pushes the drone away from the boat.

A few examples to illustrate:

If the boat is moving forward, try to take off from the aft so that when the drone hovers, it will hover away from the boat.
If the boat is spinning towards port side, try to take off on the starboard side so the drone hovers over the water while the boat spins away from it.
If the wind is coming from starboard, try to be on port side so the wind pushes the drone away from the boat.

Identifying the most suitable space on the boat to fly from is vital in making sure you don’t run into problems during takeoff or landing. Thanks Greg Purnell for this photo taken on one of my Greenland photo workshops.

4. When In A Group, Never Start Flying All At Once

When several people have drones and want to fly them from a boat, it’s best not to all take off together but do it in an organised way. Apart from interference risks, it creates chaos during landing. Coordinated turns keep things calm and safe. If everyone takes off one by one, it will also mean that people have to land one by one due to the batteries generally running out at a similar time.

5. Don’t Land All At Once

The same goes for landings. Give each pilot space and time to land safely before the next person attempts it. Due to the movement of the boat & possibly the weather, multiple attempts may be needed to try and land. Especially when it is windy and/or wavy, it can take a few tries to get it right.

6. Communicate Clearly & Loudly

Communication when flying drones from a boat is everything. Before takeoff or landing, I always announce loudly what I am doing: “Taking off!” or “Landing drone!”. That way, everyone on deck knows what’s happening and can stay clear.

When multiple people are flying, I make sure everyone calls out their altitude as well, making sure that everyone keeps at least 10 meters of vertical separation between drones to avoid collisions.

If you are in trouble, communicate it loudly and clearly. When two people are coming in for a landing at the same time, it’s good practice to communicate battery percentages so you can prioritise who has the most urgency to come in for a landing.

When multiple people are flying from a boat, or even towards the same subject as was the case with these floating humpback whales, it is vital you communicate loudly and clearly to avoid collisions and accidents.

7. Ask To Adjust The Boat’s Speed For Landings

If I need to land, I always ask the captain to slow down or briefly stop the boat. Even a few knots of speed can make hand-catching the drone very difficult, especially in strong wind. Again, communication is key here. Make sure you are always able to speak to the captain in order to perform a safe landing.

Pro tip: If there is no way to get the boat to adjust speed, there is a workaround by using the Cruise Control functionality on your drone. However, it should be noted that this is for experienced drone pilots only! Try matching, and then slightly exceeding, the speed of the boat using Cruise Control. That way you can focus on grabbing the drone when it eventually gains up to the boat. This works best when approaching the boat from the aft.

8. Know When To Disable Proximity Sensors

Sometimes your drone’s obstacle avoidance sensors will fight against your landing attempts. This usually happens when the drone is detecting the boat itself or even your hand as obstacles. In these moments, switching to Sport Mode or temporarily disabling sensors in the Advanced Safety menu can help you regain control and perform a safe landing. However, it is highly advisable to be experienced with flying in Sport mode before attempting this. Movements in Sport mode are faster and more sudden, which means you need to be extra cautious.

It can be really tricky to land back onto the boat, especially when it’s moving. If you don’t manage to safely match the speed of the boat, the best thing to do is get the boat to stop. Again, clear communication is vital!

9. Never Use The Automatic Return To Home Functionality

This is one of the biggest mistakes any drone pilot can make when flying from a boat: using the automatic Return To Home functionality on your drone. Because the boat is generally always moving, it means that whatever your home point was during takeoff, will no longer be your actual home point when you come in for a landing. The moment your drone tries to return home automatically, it will head back to where the boat used to be, which is now open water. There are two options: either you don’t rely on the home point at all, or you remember to frequently update it to the controller’s location in the menu. However, even when flying back to an updated home point it will still not allow you to automatically land as the GPS tracking is not precise enough to land on a boat full of obstacles.

On some newer drones, such as the DJI Mavic 4 Pro or DJI Mini 5 Pro, you can use the Dynamic Home Point feature. By pressing the home point button during flight, you can update the home point dynamically and constantly. While this functionality still does not allow you to land on the boat itself automatically, it will ensure a safer recovery if something goes wrong.

10. Always Leave A Battery Buffer To Give Yourself Time To Land

Landing your drone on a boat can take longer than expected, especially if the boat is not stable, the deck is crowded or weather conditions shift. That means you need to leave extra battery life to account for tricky landings. I never push my batteries below 25% in tricky conditions and always plan to be ready to land with a minimum of 10–15% left. That margin can make the difference between a safe landing and a lost drone.

Automatically returning to home is pretty much impossible when you’re on a boat. The boat is moving in perpetuity, even when you think it is stationary.

Common Dangers When Flying Drones From Boats

Even when taking all of these rules & guidelines into account, experienced pilots may still face some risks. Here are the most common ones I have encountered during various workshops:

Metal decks and communication equipment may interfere with your drone and cause loss of GPS or compass interference. It is therefore important you know how to manually navigate and recognise your surroundings.
If you fly low to the water, or its a very windy day, salt spray from ocean water may affect sensors or lenses.
It is important to understand that when you are flying from a boat, you may experience stronger winds than what you are used to on land.
Make sure you are clearly communicating to avoid communication mistakes between yourself as the drone pilot, other drone pilots or the boat crew.
I have mentioned this before, but relying on the automated Return To Home functionality may cause mishaps caused by a moving vessel.

Understanding these risks, together with the rules & guidelines I have outlined, will help you anticipate and avoid them. As always, the key here is preparation, awareness, and teamwork.

There are quite a few pitfalls and dangers to be aware of when flying your drone from any boat. It can be tricky but don’t let that discourage you because the photographs you may be able to take can be spectacular!

My Final Thoughts

Flying a drone from a boat isn’t rocket science but it does take some consideration to get the most out of it and do it in a safe way. For me, it has proven to be one of the most rewarding ways to photograph the natural world. Some of my favorite aerial shots of Greenland’s icebergs and fjords were taken from small expedition boats, often in unpredictable Arctic weather. Every time, I remind myself that safety comes first, both for the drone and for everyone on board. When done right, the excitement of sending the drone out over the water, capturing epic scenes, and watching the footage afterwards makes it a stress-free and unforgettable experience.

Bonus Tip For (Future) Workshop Participants

If you are joining one of my Greenland photo workshops, don’t worry if you’ve never flown from a boat before. I will personally guide you through the process, from hand-launch techniques to dynamic home point setup, so you can focus on capturing stunning aerial images safely and confidently.

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Paul O.East Greenland Sailboat Photo Expedition (August 2025)

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Megan G.Arctic Foxes in Hornstrandir Photo Workshop (June 2025)

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Valentin R.Arctic Foxes in Hornstrandir Photo Workshop (June 2025)

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Tomas A.Puffins in the Midnight Sun Photo Workshop (June 2025)

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I have just returned from a photography workshop organised by Jeroen on the Isle of Grimsey. I am very impressed by his personality - he is able to provide a great atmosphere in the team and make everyone feel at ease. The workshops are perfectly organized, from the first e-mail contacts to the farewell at the airport. Jeroen has a very individual approach to each participant, he is able to politely point out mistakes and, above all, show how to fix them. Critical sessions are real photography workshops, I learned a lot from them and all this in a very nice and friendly atmosphere. The entire week-long stay on Grimsey Island was prepared very professionally, including the optimal weather. I highly recommend workshops with Jeroen, especially if someone is looking for a great teacher, guide or friend in one person.
Ewa S.Puffins in the Midnight Sun Photo Workshop (June 2025)

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I recently had the privilege of participating in a photo workshop in Greenland lead by Jeroen, and I can say without reservations that he has a rare blend of photographic talent and organizational prowess. Jeroen is a master photographer, and generously shares this knowledge with workshop participants. Whether it's mastering the technical aspects of photography or exploring creative compositions, Jeroen provides invaluable insights that elevate the skills of all the participants. His meticulous planning and organizational skills are unmatched; the workshop was flawlessly executed, with every detail thoughtfully considered. He fostered a collaborative environment where participants felt free to ask questions, experiment, and learn from one another; always providing positive feedback and encouragement. I wholeheartedly recommend Jeroen for any photography workshop or related endeavor. His passion for photography, attention to detail, and outgoing personality, make him an outstanding leader.
Tomas A.West Greenland Photo Workshop (September 2024)

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Jeroen’s and Mads’ West Greenland Workshop was simply the best photo workshop I’ve ever attended. The days were full from dawn to dusk and even later for nioghtime photography. Jeroen and Mads made themselves available during any free time for coaching, editing and general questions. They focused on hands on coaching for each of us in the field. Workshop logistics were seamless, transport via coaches and boats were in good condition with competent crews and were ready when scheduled, accommodations were very good. I look forward to joining Jeroen and Mads again in the future.
Kelly E.West Greenland Photo Workshop (September 2024)

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I had the pleasure of being part of a Highlands workshop in August with Jeroen and Mads Peter Iversen as photo guides and professionals. I had already met them both on a workshop in Antarctica. The small group was perfect for guidance and attention. It is now sinking in how much I learned on this trip and how breathtaking Iceland is. We encountered some strong winds, rain and fog. Nevertheless, Jeroen found alternatives and safety was always paramount. He’s a conscientious guy and can be seriously funny too. Not only did our group gain knowledge, we had a lot of fun. Thanks for a memorable week to everyone on this workshop. I’d recommend Jeroen without hesitation.
Cindy B.Highlands of Iceland Photo Workshop (August 2024)

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I was recently on an Iceland Highlands photo tour, my first trip with Jeroen. It will not be my last! It exceeded my expectations to the point that I've now booked a trip next year with Jeroen. My priority was to learn how to fly my new drone (Mavic 3 Classic) for quality stills photography. I started the trip with 'drone anxiety' and ended with confidence and a new set of skills in aerial photography. Jeroen's drone flying skills are impressive. But, importantly, he puts his clients first. He gives full support, both in terms of the essential skills needed to fly a drone safely, and also the skills needed to produce quality images. Jeroen's knowledge of Iceland and its hidden beauties, his organisational skills and photography expertise is second to none. I'm certainly looking forward to travelling with him again.
Milt I.Highlands of Iceland Photo Workshop (August 2024)

“

... Jeroen really really knows his stuff, not only about Iceland in general and the specific photo locations but he is also an absolute master with a drone. We were a pretty unexperienced group, regarding drone flying and drone photography and Jeroen helped and pushed us a lot, to really get the best out of our skills, equipment and the locations. I damaged my drone propellers on the third day, forgot the spare and there was no way to organize a replacement. I was really worried i was now missing out, but Jeroens expertise and support gave me confidence to use my drone during the rest of the workshop and there were no issues at all. Additionally his personality and his humor really made this trip and the group special. I highly recommend this workshop!
NicoHighlands of Iceland Photo Workshop (August 2024)

“

I highly recommend taking one of Jeroen's workshops. You can just tell that he has a great passion for leading them. He lives in Iceland and brought a wealth of knowledge and useful facts about the area, and had an answer for just about everything we asked him. He also has a great sense of humor so he made it entertaining as well. Thank you, Jeroen, for a great experience in the Highlands.
Chris G.Highlands of Iceland Photo Workshop (August 2024)

“

Really great trip - I learned a lot and we certainly got to photograph many places that would otherwise be very difficult for me to access. Jeroen and Mads always had answers/suggestions for my questions, and both were instrumental in forming compositions. Many times when we stopped I could not see the principal subject, but a drone would be launched and after watching one of their screens, something amazing would appear. I had never flown a drone before the trip, but Jeroen got me up and running in minutes; he made it very easy and relaxed. Also, my drone had a strange issue on one flight (it would not descend) but Jeroen got it back - flying it for over 2 minutes on no battery. He got it down just before all power was lost. It was wobbly on the way down, but it came down safely. Highly recommend these guys and their trips.
Paul K.Highlands of Iceland Photo Workshop (August 2024)

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Going to the Icelandic Highlands means you have to know what you’re doing, and you have to be flexible with the ever changing weather. I was so fortunate to attend a workshop with Jeroen, as his expertise and knowledge of the numerous highland locations was critical to knowing where we could go based on the weather, road conditions, and time it would take to get everywhere. Our trip was filled with incredible locations I’ve only dreamed of going to, and many others that I had no idea existed. I’d highly recommend going on a workshop or even a private tour with Jeroen!
Mark S.Highlands of Iceland Photo Workshop (August 2024)

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The trip I took with Jeroen to the Icelandic Highlands is the most memorable trip I’ve taken since I became serious about photography. It was incredible! Jeroen took us to the places I only dreamed about and never expected to see with my own eyes. Everything was well planned and executed – all we needed to do was concentrating on our photography. Thank you, Jeroen, for such a treat and good luck on all your endeavors!
Svetlana G.Highlands of Iceland Photo Workshop (July 2024)

“

I had a wonderful time at the workshop with Jeroen. Jeroen is a wonderful, very inspiring photographer, an excellent teacher, very sensitive to the beauty of Nature and empathetic, with a refined sense of humor. I felt very taken care of during the workshops and I will definitely come back next year
Doris M.Puffins in the Midnight Sun Photo Workshop (June 2024)

“

I took a 3 day photography workshop with Jeroen to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and had a wonderful experience. Jeroen has an infectious enthusiasm for photography and it really shows in his love of these Icelandic locations and the way he provides instruction on the best perspectives and techniques to get the shots. I appreciate that Jeroen is fully licensed to guide these workshop. This gives me peace of mind knowing that he’s prepared to handle most scenarios that may occur out in the field. Time to save up for my next workshop with Jeroen! Thanks so much, Jeroen!
Jarrick L.Private Workshop in October 2023

“

Well organised workshop with multiple stunning locations providing plenty of opportunities to capture great photos. When the opportunity arose to capture the Northern Lights, Jeroen’s knowledge made sure we were in the right locations to capture the lights at their best. Jeroen was always willing to help and pass on his knowledge to be able to have the best possible composition to capture stunning photos. I can’t thank Jeroen and Mads enough for a great workshop and creating memories that will last a lifetime. I look forward to doing more workshops in the future with Jeroen and highly recommended anyone interested in a photography workshop to do it and learn from the best.
Jordan G.Iceland in Winter Workshop in November 2023

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Worked with Jeroen during a photo tour of Iceland and had a fantastic experience. Jeroen is a great photographer, a great instructor, an organized and conscientious tour guide, and is a lot of fun to spend time with. I very much appreciate his love of Iceland and its geology and nature. Highly recommended.
Art J.Iceland in Winter Photo Workshop (March 2025)

“

I had the privilege of going on the Puffins in the midnight sun workshop which was an amazing experience. Anja and Jeroen were both absolutely amazing hosts and the workshop exceeded my expectations. Both were very approachable with any questions and provided the appropriate level of advice, allowing me to improve my photography.
Jeff M.Puffins in the Midnight Sun Workshop in June 2023

“

Somehow five stars doesn’t seem sufficient! What an amazing week with Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove and Mads Peter Iversen in one of the most photogenic locations I have ever visited. Nothing challenges an organiser’s ability like a cancelled flight, but even though we were delayed by a day in Reykjavik, Jeroen managed to pack in all the planned activities in to the remaining 5 days, starting with a six hour sunset boat trip through the magnificent bergs of the ice fjord. And that was just the start, every day there were new adventures and new locations. With so much to photograph, we all called on the expert guidance by Jeroen and Mads - from finding pleasing compositions in the chaos of the ice or life in the tiny settlements, to aerial HDR panoramas with the drones - the boys were always on hand to offer advice and suggestions (and to rescue my drone as I tried to land it where our boat had been 20 minutes earlier)!
Adrian V.West Greenland Photo Workshop (September 2024)

“

Absolutely top notch workshop. The thought and effort that went into the schedule and the accommodations made the trip, the shots and the experience simply amazing. Jeroen and Mads were great Pro Guides, sharing their expertise and offering guidance whenever asked making sure that we had the best opportunity to capture great photographs. They were fun, personable, and such great teammates, it made for such a wonderful week. Highly recommend!
Denise B.Winter in Iceland Photo Workshop (December 2024)

“

Value & Safety. If you are wanting to tour Iceland, Jeroen is your guy! Knowledgeable, capable, and kind, this guy has your best experience in mind. I spent a week visiting some EPIC locations under his guidance and it is well worth the money!
Robert W.Winter in Iceland Photo Workshop (December 2024)

“

I recommend this wonderful photography workshop. In just a few days I understood how to improve my skills and where to point the lens. Jaroen is an excellent, patient and attentive teacher who shares his knowledge, adapting it to each participant individually.
Elzbieta G.Puffins in the Midnight Sun Photo Workshop (June 2025)

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In July 2023 I decided to book a 5 days private tour with Jeroen to the highlands. This was a complete different experience. We visited remote and amazing locations, I could not find this locations without Jeroens guidance. Jeroen has a incredible local knowledge, a great enthusiasm, a perfect planning and also very important, a lot of patience. I enjoyed the 5 days with Jeroen very much, he is a very accommodating person with agreat sense of humor. During our tour we had a lot of fun and with his assistance I made my best Iceland shots ever, most of them with my Mavic 3 Pro drone. Thank you very much Jeroen for this unique experience, I hope we will plan the next tour in 2024 together.
Wolfgang S.Private Highlands Workshop in July 2023

“

I really enjoyed guided hike with Jeroen. He knows a lot about the volcanos so you won't have only amazing experience but you can also learn a lot from him. Perfect and easy communication. Thank you again for this "stillcantbelievethatitwasreal" experience!
Veronika S.Private Eruption Hike in August 2023

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… The itinerary was well thought out, but allowed for flexibility of weather conditions and the eruption of Meradalir! Jeroen is knowledgeable, helpful, thoughtful & has a great sense of humour. He regularly checked-in with us to all make sure we were happy and offered assistance in our photography, especially for drones. I felt safe, entertained & learned so much during the workshop. The accommodation & food during the trip were also amazing. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend or attend another workshop.
Rhiannon L.Highlands Photo Workshop in August 2022

“

Greenland 2023 was an incredible experience, in a truly epic location with an amazing group of people. Andy and Jeroen are true professionals in every sense, with a passion for photography that is infectious to the group. I felt challenged to explore styles of photography that pushed the boundaries of my comfort zone, and having their guidance as well as the group to share ideas with helped me grow as a photographer. Andy seems to have a knack for creating an inclusive environment around him that brings the group together, inspires, builds friendships, and elevates the experience to an enjoyable and unforgettable one. Jeroen is very knowledgeable, easy going, and talented photographer and it was a pleasure spending the week with him. I truly cannot recommend highly enough.
Chris D.Greenland Photo Workshop in March 2023

“

… It was one of the most wonderful trips of adventure, exhilaration mixed with wonder and awe of the surrounding beauty. None of that would have been possible without the expert guidance, local knowledge, sense of enthusiasm and detailed planning by Jeroen. We were lucky to him as an expert driver while we wondered over terrain that is unfamiliar to most people, but Jeroen made us feel confidant that we were in safe hands. Moreover his love for photography, landscape and culture of Iceland is contagious and made the trip all the more special. Whether you call him the “Volcano man” or the “drone man” his photography is extraordinary. I would go back in a heartbeat to spend time exploring more of Iceland with him.
Sarfraz D.Highlands Photo Workshop in August 2022

“

… Everything about it was excellent – it is clear that Jeroen puts huge effort into ensuring he provides a first class experience for his participants – the itinerary was thorough, but flexible to get the best out of the weather and volcanic eruption conditions. Jeroen ensures that everybody is safe (important in such an environment) as well as maintaining a pace that works for all. On top of this, his knowledge about Iceland is broad and deep making him an excellent tour guide as well as an accomplished photographer. I can highly recommend a workshop or tour with Jeroen and I do hope that I get to enjoy another workshop with him in the future.
Jon A.Highlands Photo Workshop in August 2022

“

I was fortunate to accompany both Andy Mumford and Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove to Ilulissat, Greenland. I've done guided photography tours before, but this was without a doubt the most enjoyable experience. The comradery of the group combined with the positive attitude and humor of both Andy and Jeroen was fabulous. Lodging + food were a step above what I was expecting and were memorable experiences in and of themselves. Zero regrets and while in Greenland, I discussed what other tours I could add my name onto the waitlist for. Recommended without hesitation.
Michael M.Greenland Photo Workshop in March 2023

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It became clear that Jeroen is very familiar with the beauty of Iceland, but also with the possible dangers of its natural elements. He took us to the highlights, but also guided us to a number of hidden marvels. And always he knew something interesting to tell about the location. On the creativity side, Jeroen did not intervene at all on location – unless requested for. So we all could explore our own creativity. This definitely tastes for more. And I will definitely call Jeroen again.
Koen D.Private Photography Tour in March 2016

“

It was a pleasure to have a look behind the scences on how Jeroen works. His photos look so natural as he knows where to be in the right place at the right time. I’ve received a lot of professional advice and feedback on how to create stunning landscape images. You did an amazing job and I can’t thank you enough!
Adında M.Private Photography Tour in November 2017

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... Jeroen has great ability as a teacher as well as a photographer. His priority is the participant, not taking his own pictures. Jeroen is good at checking in with the introvert photographer to make sure they are getting the most from the scene, but without looking over your shoulder. Knowing that group dynamics impacts everyone’s experience, he also builds a camaraderie with his humour and manner.
Stewart L.Iceland in Winter Photo Workshop (March 2024)

“

… Imagine being taken to locations so amazing that the erupting volcano wasn’t even one of the top 5. This was an EPIC adventure through a place traversed by few people. We had the guidance and support needed to capture amazing photos and learn to use our drones effectively, incredible food and accommodations, and access to Jeroen’s incredible wealth of knowledge to keep us safe in face of unstable cliffs, weird weather, and other craziness. I can’t wait to join another tour with Jeroen.
Richard S.Highlands Photo Workshop in August 2022

“

If you want to explore Iceland with your camera you’re blessed with a guide like Jeroen. He knows and understands the country so well. He really makes an effort to visit every location at the best possible moment of the day. He knows so many beautiful locations so that he’s also able to improvise when the weather conditions are not that great. He will bring you to lots of beautiful places that are less touristic and where you can take the time to fully explore your camera trying to capture this unique landscape.
Stefaan M.Private Photography Tour in March 2016

“

… And my expectations of his guided tour were indeed the highlight of my short vacation. Not only the sights where breathtaking but also Jeroen’s personal anecdotes and explanation in an easy way over this ever changing landscape building itself was a great surplus to my hiking experience. He is not only passionate about telling you the story behind the views that unfolds before your eyes during the hike, but he lets you also walk at your own pace without looking to his watch as on many other organised larger tours. So folks if you look for an unique guided personal tour, I would really recommend this great guide. From me personally he earns withouth doubt 5* !
John V.Private Guided Eruption Hike in October 2021

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Jeroen was a huge part of what made this trip so successful. His local knowledge, adaptability to changing weather conditions (gale force winds and blizzards to warm, springlike days) and relationships with local providers made the trip an absolute pleasure. From the first evening meeting in Reykjavik to the final dinner everything proceeded without a noticeable hitch. The privilege of spending almost five hours exploring ice caves, coming face to face with Arctic Foxes and experiencing an amazing aurora display made the trip one for the record books. Such a smooth operation does not happen without a significant amount of pre-planning and the selection of hotels, shooting locations and restaurant stops showed that all eventualities had been considered. We were so engrossed in shooting that a scheduled critique session had to be postponed to a post trip online meeting - again showing Jeroen's commitment to the satisfaction of his clients. In short - I can highly recommend a workshop with Jeroen and hope to be a part of many future trips.
John M.Iceland in Winter Photo Workshop (March 2025)

These reviews are verifiable on Jeroen’s public Google Business profile.

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Flying A Drone From A Boat: Safety, Best Practices & Key Dangers