Montego Bay: Is that Clear Kayak Drone Photoshoot Really Worth It in 2025?
Are you pondering a trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica, and very excited by the idea of a clear kayak drone photoshoot? Maybe you saw a fantastic picture on social media and now it’s all you think about, right? Well, that kind of picture, that is, you gliding across shimmering turquoise water in a transparent kayak, a drone capturing you from above… It all sounds so wonderfully idyllic. That said, earlier in 2025, I took the plunge and booked one of these photoshoots. Now, I want to share what the whole thing was really like. It’s almost a behind-the-scenes look, a full and frank review of the whole shebang, covering everything from the booking process to the final photos.
Booking and Initial Expectations – Was it easy?
Right, so finding and booking the photoshoot, that actually turned out to be surprisingly easy. There were, just a little, several tour operators in Montego Bay offering these kinds of packages, promising stunning aerial shots and a very memorable experience. I ended up choosing “Island Breeze Adventures” mostly because their online reviews looked good and they had a package that seemed, you know, reasonably priced for what they were offering. I paid roughly $200 USD for a one-hour photoshoot with approximately 30 edited photos. Very, very good communication from them initially. Booking was actually done online through their website. Plus, it was pretty painless. Is that the case, you simply select your preferred date and time, paid a deposit, and that was that. You get a confirmation email almost right away with all the details. Leading up to the day, they even sent reminder emails which was actually quite helpful. My expectations? Just a little on the higher side, I must admit. I’m talking clear, turquoise waters, brilliant sunshine, and, perhaps most importantly, fantastic photos that would blow up on Instagram. I pictured myself looking all effortlessly cool and relaxed in my clear kayak. Well, that’s what I was really hoping for anyway. Of course!
The Day of the Photoshoot – Did the tour operator do as expected?
Well, the morning of the photoshoot, the weather, it looked a little iffy. Is that typical for Montego Bay? Could be, I’m not sure! The sky was kind of overcast and the water, well, it was choppy. Not exactly the postcard-perfect conditions I had envisioned. Now, I arrived at the meeting point which was at a beach just outside of Montego Bay’s main tourist area. Then, I was greeted by the team. I met the photographer. That guy, he was friendly and professional. He quickly put me at ease. The clear kayak, right there, looked really cool! That is until you see the scratches and water stains. Still, what can you do? Anyway, after a quick safety briefing, they helped me into the kayak and pushed me off the shore. Right from the start, that water was choppier than I thought. Staying in one spot for the drone was, well, that was proving trickier than expected. Very tricky, actually. Also, I quickly realized, I wasn’t all that comfortable paddling. And paddling straight? Not my forte! To be honest, there was nothing graceful about my technique, let me tell you! Yet, the photographer kept encouraging me, patiently guiding me into positions that looked somewhat presentable for the camera.
Drone Drama – Could the weather behave?
The drone itself, so it added another layer of adventure. That buzzing sound as it circled above. To be honest, that made me a little nervous at first. But you sort of got used to it, I suppose. The photographer, that guy, he was communicating with the drone operator. Directing me to paddle in different directions, to smile, to look natural which was definitely easier said than done. We spent the better part of the hour trying different poses and angles. Some shots with the shoreline in the background, some looking directly at the drone, others pretending to paddle all leisurely. To be honest, by the end of it, my arms, they were aching and my smile, I reckon, was getting pretty fake. It was still an experience, I must admit, even if it felt, maybe, a little staged and a bit exhausting. In fact, more so than the ‘effortlessly gliding through paradise’ vibe I was going for!
Photo Quality and Editing – Did the results meet expectations?
Okay, so the moment of truth: the photos. So, after the photoshoot, I was told that I would receive the edited photos within three to five business days. Anyway, three days later, an email, that popped into my inbox with a link to the online gallery. As I opened the gallery, I have to say, I was holding my breath, hoping for some sort of miracles after a kind of shaky shoot. Is that fair of me? Probably. I scrolled through the pictures and, alright, they were actually quite good! I was thinking I might not use any of the shots! The photographer, I think, he really did his best with what he had to work with. And the editor? Well, the editor had clearly worked his magic too! Some of the photos, it’s true, looked just as amazing as the pictures I’d seen online! Very clear waters, vibrant colors. I noticed they fixed everything, I mean every little thing, such as scratches on the kayak. So too my awkward paddling pose! With very clever angles, the choppy water, well, it was barely noticeable! But there were a couple of photos, too it’s almost, where my fake smile, it was just a bit too obvious and a couple, where the drone shadow, well, it was annoyingly visible on the water. Overall, that said, the majority of the photos, they were, actually, usable. More importantly? Insta-worthy.
The Verdict – Should You Book It or Not?
So, should you book that clear kayak drone photoshoot in Montego Bay? As I was saying, it’s a little complicated. If you go in with reasonable expectations and you’re willing to embrace the experience. Is that with all its potential hiccups. Then yeah, that actually can be worthwhile. If you expect postcard-perfect shots with zero effort. Well, then you might end up a little disappointed. What makes a huge difference is that weather. Calm, sunny days? They can be the difference between fantastic photos and mediocre ones. Now, if photography really matters. You could, just a little, be worth checking the forecast beforehand and maybe rescheduling if necessary. One consideration is that quality varies widely, I’d recommend doing a bit of research into different tour operators. I mean that to read recent reviews before booking to try and get a feel for their professionalism and photo quality.
Pros: What did I enjoy?
- Unique Photo Opportunity: Getting drone shots from that vantage point is very cool.
- Professional Photos: When conditions are kind, those edited photos, well, they look quite impressive.
- Memorable Experience: Let’s face it. Is that anything you will forget any time soon? Probably not.
Cons: What could have been better?
- Weather Dependent: Let’s be honest. It could easily make or break the whole shoot.
- Can Feel Staged: Well, it’s true. Relaxing while posing isn’t all that easy.
- Physical Exertion: Kayaking for an hour, especially when you are posing. Is that tiring. Very much so.
Basically, the 2025 Montego Bay clear kayak drone photoshoot, right? Could be just what you are looking for. Only, don’t forget the need to adjust your expectations! The sun shining? Or just clouds looming? This factor plays a very big role, too. When everything goes perfectly. It’s very worth the effort and investment. The secret sauce, that would have to be finding a very good tour operator, one with stellar reviews. Read our full review: Clear Kayaking Drone Photo Shoot Montego Bay Full Review and Details