 This study tested the use of structure from motion, SFM, to create a high-resolution digital surface model, DSM, of a beach dune system using unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs. The SFM technique was compared to a terrestrial laser scanning, TLS, survey and found to have similar accuracy when measuring vertical differences. The UAV-based approach was also shown to be a straightforward method and its accuracy was comparable to that of TLS technology. This article was authored by Francesco Mancini, Marco Dabini, Mario Gatelli and others.