Troop 475 generally participates in Florida Seabase programs every other year during spring break. We will be going back the week of March 9-17. Seabase offers many different programs. Costs range from about $1000-1200 per person plus travel expenses and any required gear. If planning on attending, please pick your top 3 choices below. Here are some descriptions of the different programs offered. You can find more information at the Florida Seabase Adventures page. Scouts MUST be 13 years old by March 8th, 2024 to attend.
Coral Reef Sailing
Your home for a week will be on a large sailing vessel over 40 feet long. During the adventure, you will be sailing the Florida Keys and have the chance to snorkel some of the most beautiful reefs in the Keys and part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
You will also have the opportunity to study astronomy, navigation, fish identification, and coral reef ecology. So join us for the Coral Reef Sailing Adventure, sharpen your navigational skills and enjoy snorkeling and fishing all in one package. Crew size 6-8.
Out Island Adventure
MUNSON! Along with your assigned island mate, your crew will paddle a Polynesian war canoe more than five miles to a primitive barrier island located in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary for an epic high adventure experience.
Upon arrival at Big Munson Island, your unit will camp under a canopy of gumbo limbo trees, mangroves, and lush vegetation. Endangered Key Deer will pass through your campsite along with hermit crabs and vaca coons. Each day will be action packed. From Big Munson Island your crew will ocean kayak, board a large vessel to access the Florida Barrier Reef to snorkel, board a Sea Base vessel for a fishing excursion, shark fish, paddle to Munson Rocks for a night snorkel, and explore the largest wilderness on Earth. The ocean. Crews seeking a unique primitive camping experience and a one of a kind adventure should look no further than The Out Island Adventure.
SCUBA Adventure
The Florida Keys are home to the only coral barrier reef in North America. If you are a certified diver, this program is for you. From our fleet of custom built Newton Dive Specials you will explore coral reefs, discover wrecks, underwater rock formations, and scuba dive alongside the over 6,000 organisms and underwater wildlife found in the Florida National Marine Sanctuary.
During this adventure (weather permitting) you will make as many as 11 dives, including a night dive. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to take part in evening Dive Against Debris by Goal: Clean Seas, Reef Fish identification and Shark Awareness courses, and conduct REEF Environmental Education fish surveys. Accommodations are in air conditioned dormitories overlooking the Florida Bay with great meals in the Sea Base galley. The diving equipment supplied for this adventure is new and state of the art. ** This adventure requires previous certification. We can arrange certification for additional costs in advance **
SCUBA Certification
Want to learn to breath underwater? This is your opportunity to become certified as a PADI Open-Water diver at one of the best scuba training facilities in the world. Professional PADI Instructors and Dive Masters will guide you along your adventure.
You will be fitted with state of the art scuba equipment and trained in the largest scuba training center and dive pool in the Florida Keys. For your open water dives, you will board one of the many Newton Dive Specials owned by the Florida Sea Base and captained by a licensed U.S. Coast Guard Captain.
Your fee includes all meals, instruction, housing in air conditioned dormitories, four open water training dives in the Florida Keys national Marine Sanctuary, and two to four fun dives (time and weather permitting).
