Florida National High Adventure Sea Base


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Mariner Sailing Adventure

Crew Size: 7 minimum, 9 maximum. A true "hands-on" sailing experience — the Mariners Sailing Adventure offers a crew of seven to nine young people and leaders the opportunity to sail, navigate and snorkel clear waters while living aboard and operating their own sailing vessels in the fabulous Florida Keys. Each crew is assigned two 25 foot sailboats and all gear necessary to spend an extended voyage on the water around the Florida Keys.

Your full-time sailing instructor, who will accompany you throughout your entire adventure, will familiarize you with your craft in nearby waters for the first day and a half. Then it's off for five days of unforgettable snorkeling, sailing, fishing, and living on and under the crystal waters of the Upper Keys and John Pennekamp Underwater State Park. Each vessel is equipped with sleeping accommodations for five, a galley and an enclosed head as well as outboard auxiliary power and VHF radio for safety.

Because your crew will be assigned and responsible for these crafts, the nature of the program requires the leader, and preferably participants, to have previous sailing experience.

 

Year 'Round High Adventure

The Florida National High Adventure Sea Base Program operates year-round, including an established operation during the Christmas season (December 26 to January 6), Spring season (March 1 to May 1), and the Summer season (June 6 to August 23). Flexible length adventures can be arranged during the fall, winter and spring on a per-day-per-person charge.

After your reservation is confirmed and half of the fees have been received your crew will receive a packet of information that includes suggestions on: means of travel, itinerary ideas, a "what to bring" list, medical forms, etc. Reservation fees are transferable within a crew, but are not refundable.

 

SCUBA Programs

The Florida National High Adventure Sea Base offers three SCUBA programs. Participants must be 14 years old or older by January 1 of the year of attendance.

 

SCUBA Certification

Crew Size: 6 minimum, 8 maximum.

Maximum of 3 crews per arrival date.

Even if you have never seen a set of fins, this week-long adventure will allow you to become part of our underwater wilderness. Your instructor will guide you through safe diving techniques in our specially designed diving pool and the clear Atlantic waters. Free time is filled with wind surfing, fishing and evening luaus and programs. After you have mastered the fundamentals, it's off to the living coral reef for your first open water dive. Here you will have the sensation of entering another world. After three dives, you will be presented with your certification card. With this card, you will be recognized as a trained diver anywhere you travel. This program includes all food, lodging, instruction, equipment and basic certification SCUBA dives.

 

SCUBA Adventure

Crew Size: 6 minimum, 8 maximum.

Maximum of 2 crews per arrival date.

Your opportunity as a certified diver to dive the reefs in the Florida Keys. This program offers seven to nine dives which include a night dive, underwater navigation, deep diving, and other specialties. Other program opportunities are wind surfing, Hobie Cat sailing and fishing during your stay at the Sea Base. The flexibility of this program allows individual crew members to seek further SCUBA advancement such as Openwater, Openwater II, Advanced or logging up diving situations necessary for a Divemaster rating. Individual crew members who have completed the required pool and classroom sessions as well as the written examinations at home can complete the actual check-out dives here in the Keys as part of the SCUBA Adventure (however, you will be re-tested in both pool skills and knowledge by your instructor). Or, you must be certified to participate in this of program.

 

SCUBA Expedition Adventure

Crew Size: 12 persons minimum, 12 persons maximum.

This is an adventure for Certified Divers using specially designed boats for intensive dives in the Florida Keys and Bahamas. These trips are custom designed for each individual unit. You will live aboard the boat and, weather permitting, there is unlimited diving, wreck diving, night diving and reef diving. Or, if you prefer, your crew can become certified at the Base and depart the next day aboard an expedition for the Bahamas.

Note: All participants in the SCUBA programs must be in excellent physical condition and have their physician complete an addendum to the B.S.A. medical form.

 

Out Island Adventure

Crew Size: 6 persons minimum, 8 persons maximum.

Your crew will live as Robinson Crusoe on the Out Island Adventure, which combines a two day sailing program at the Sea Base with four days of primitive island camping.

Orientation and training in the skills necessary to sail windsurfers, sunfish and Hobie Cats will be provided at the Sea Base along with the other programs including snorkeling, pier fishing and night-time beach hikes. This will help prepare your crew for their upcoming Out Island Adventure.

The only access to this island outpost is by the Sea Base's boat, which shuttles your crew and gear to this unique island wilderness. On the island you will be supplied with the necessary sailboats, outboard motorboats and canoes along with all the needed food, water and equipment. You will also be supplied with snorkeling gear and fishing tackle. It you prefer to use your own fishing tackle, you will want to bring light to medium salt-water spinning gear. Your experienced program mate will be with you for the duration of your trip, to instruct you in sage boat operation and primitive island living skills.

This island is a haven for raccoons, marsh hares, the endangered Key Deer and a huge variety of other sub-tropical flora and fauna.

 

For Additional Information:

Florida National High Adventure Sea Base

P.O. Box 858

Islamorada, FL 33036

Phone: (305) 664-4173

www.bsaseabase.org

 


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