From Trinidad to the Isle of Wight: A Beekeeper’s Journey
🐝🌍From the Caribbean to the Isle of Wight: My Beekeeping Journey
Beekeeping has been my life for over a decade—but my bees and my surroundings have changed dramatically. From the warm, flower-filled hills of Trinidad and Tobago to the cooler, coastal landscapes of the Isle of Wight, UK, I’ve learned that while the scenery changes, the lessons of the hive remain the same.
Whether you’re thinking about keeping your first hive or you just love honey, I hope my journey helps you understand the fascinating world of bees—and inspires you to start your own.
🍯 “Join my hive! Beekeeping tips, personal stories, and gear recommendations for anyone curious about the world of bees.”
🌴 From Tropical Sun to Island Breezes: My Start in Trinidad
My beekeeping story began in the vibrant tropics of Trinidad and Tobago, where I kept hives for over 13 years. The warm, humid climate meant bees could forage year-round, and the flavours in my honey changed constantly:
Light citrus & fruity notes during blossom-rich months.
Deep oak & woody undertones when forest blooms dominated.
Every jar told the story of what was flowering that season.
Bee Fact 🐝: In tropical climates, honey flavours shift more dramatically because nectar sources change quickly and flowering happens multiple times a year.
Beginner Tip 🌱: If you keep bees in a warm climate, be ready for more frequent honey harvests—and more frequent hive inspections.
But beekeeping in Trinidad wasn’t always sweet—our Africanized honeybees were extremely defensive, requiring skill, protective gear, and calm handling. In addition, it meant I had to master patience, and a deep respect for the hive.
🐝 Adapting from Tropical Honeybees to European Honeybees in the UK
In 2023, life brought me to the United Kingdom. By 2024, I had the chance to start fresh on the Isle of Wight, surrounded by rolling green fields, cool breezes, and a completely different beekeeping calendar.
Here, I work with European honeybees (Apis mellifera mellifera)—are far more docile but require different care. They still demand care and understanding, especially through the UK’s long, cool winters.
There’s one main nectar flow in late spring and sometimes another in late summer, so timing is everything. Winters are longer, which means the bees need careful preparation and enough food stores to survive until spring.
Bee Fact 🐝: UK beekeepers often harvest honey just once or twice a year, compared to multiple harvests in tropical climates.
Beginner Tip 🌱: In cooler climates, always plan your feeding and mite treatments right after the honey harvest—this ensures your colony goes into winter strong and healthy.
🧰 Beekeeper’s Tools I Personally Use and Recommend
Starting again in a new country required rebuilding my entire toolkit. If you're new to beekeeping or curious about what I use, here are some trusted tools I’ve come to rely on:
🐝 Full Beekeeping Suit with Veil
Comfortable and protective for the UK climate. Protects you from stings, giving confidence during inspections.
🔥 Stainless Steel Bee Smoker with Heat Shield
Essential for calming bees safely. Keeps bees calm during inspections for a safer, smoother process.
🍯 Manual 3-Frame Honey Extractor
Ideal for small-batch honey harvesting.
📖 “The BBKA Guide to Beekeeping” by Ivor Davis & Roger Cullum-Kenyon
This easy-to-follow guide explains everything a new beekeeper needs to know
🏠 Stainless Steel Hive tool
An indispensable hand tool for every beekeeper. Essential for opening, cleaning, and maintaining your hive.
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🎓 Learning & Growing: My Path to Master Beekeeper
No matter how long you’ve kept bees, there’s always more to learn. That’s why I’m currently working towards becoming a Master Beekeeper through Cornell University.
Alongside caring for my hives, I’m passionate about educating others—from the environmental importance of pollinators to the joy of tasting honey straight from the comb.
🌿 Looking Ahead at Geve’s Bees
At Geve’s Bees, we’re excited for what the future holds here in the UK. Every season brings new discoveries, new challenges, and new honey to harvest. We look forward to growing our apiary, sharing our knowledge, and producing beautiful, natural honey for you to enjoy.
My mission with Geve’s Bees is simple:
Grow healthy, sustainable hives
Educate and inspire new beekeepers
Produce natural, flavourful honey you can enjoy
💬 Your Turn – Have you ever tasted honey from different countries? What flavours stood out to you? Comment below—I’d love to hear your thoughts.
🌼 Thanks for reading my journey! The adventure doesn’t stop here – subscribe and be part of the Geve’s Bees family for updates, guides, and behind-the-scenes stories from my apiary.
