Sea Base Islamorada Information You Should Know!

 

There is so much to know about the Sea Base Islamorada base camp and  the adventures that depart from there... that isn't in the BSA guides. Here it is, gleaned and gathered from many recent participants' experiences!

• Packing checklist
• Ground Transportation
• Islamorada dorms
• Glamping Tents
• Souvenirs
• Things not to do at Islamorada
• Suncreen vs. Sun shirts
• Sleeping on sailboats
• Sample Anchor Watch Schedule
• Coral Reef Sailing Adventures port of call
• Laundry at Islamorada
• Required forms, and tips to organizing them
• Fishing licenses
• Best Snorkeling locations: map and descriptions of each location
• Florida Keys Fishing Tips (types of fish, photos, lures, baits, methods)
• A typical Itinerary for Islamorada Coral Reef Sailing
• A Typical Itinerary for an Islamorada Keys Adventure Sailing (KS)
• A Typical Itinerary for an  Keys Adventure Islamorada (KI)
• A typical itinerary for  a Brinton (BEC Summerland Key) Fishing Adventure
• Bathrooms, pizza and more oddball stuff.
• Florida Keys Fishing Tips (types of fish, photos, lures, baits, methods) This page has photos of each type of fish and more information.
• Sea Base Adventure cost estimator, calculator AND packing checklist
• The full official 2026 Sea Base Keys Islamorada Sailing Adventure guidebook (PDF)
• EVEN MORE tips, organized by trip chronology

Other related pages:

1. FAQs : Sea Base frequently asked questions - the constantly growing FAQs page is here.
2. Keys Islamorada Sailing Adventure packing list - and here is the complete Keys Islamorada Sailing Adventure guidebook
   This covers: Coral Reef Sailing, Eco Sailing, Sea Exploring, Keys Adventure Sailing, and Keys Adventure Islamorada
3. What can you do after finishing at Sea Base plenty of fun stuff nearby or on the way to the airport.
4. The Unofficial Sea Base page with loads more information about Sea Base.
5. Underwater Cameras, underwater and action cameras, GoPro's etc all options from $40 - $700
6. Florida Keys Fishing Tips
 
7. Merit badge requirements you can complete while on a Sea Base Adventure! 
8. Sea Base Awards Scouts Can Get At Sea Base
9. Sea Base Forms, and tips to organizing them for a speedy check-in!

Tell me about...

1. Ground transportation:

   Many crews use Blue Sky for ground transportation, which included all costs for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) airport pickup and transfer to hotel, dinner at the hotel, hotel rooms, transportation to Sea Base Islamorada, with stops at an alligator farm with an airboat ride and Robbies to feed the tarpon, and then transport back to the airport.  

   2026 reported costs are around $500 per person and they have been highly recommended.

2. Why do they say to bring a Hawaiian luau shirt?

   The Sea Base page says: "On the last night of your Florida Sea Base Adventure your crew will participate in a Conch LUAU. This is a special dinner festival complete with fun, music and games. Dress for the Conch LUAU should be Keys- Hawaiian style. Floral shirts are available for purchase onsite at the Ships’ Store." 
   They are  available online for FAR less: Conch Luau Shirt, so get it online and don't waste your money for a shirt you will likely only ever wear once.

3. Souvenirs

   At the Luau, they will have a branding station, so if you want to get your favorite hat, belt, cup/bottle branded with the sea base logo make sure to bring it. The Ship Store sells items for branding, like hats and leather coasters, but be forewarned, the key chains sold in ship store are too small to brand. The brand is about 2.5 inches across.
   Many scouts have their Nalgene or Crocs or Sandals. bottles branded. Some do their leather sandals they got at the Kinos store in Key West. Adults often do hats, belts, coffee mugs.
   Bring your own leather blanks, like belts, bookmarks, bracelets, typically sold at Michaels, Tandy Leather or your local craft shop. You can get this 25 Pack of round tan leather 3-1/4" Circular Leather Pieces on Amazon.
   Bring pennies for crushed penny souvenir machine - it takes 1 quarter, plus a penny, and there are NO pennies in the gift shop.
    

4. Things NOT to do at Islamorada

    As is usual there are things you're expected to know, but they don't tell you or write them down, and you will get yelled at if you do them or fail to do them. Here's the list, as best we know it, of the secret double probation things you're not supposed to do :
   • Don't walk on the grass, (although they have flag ceremony there),
   • Don't hang anything wet on anything wood

   • Undoubtedly, more to come...

5. Best snorkeling locations

   You'll see reef sharks, nurse sharks, vibrant corals, rays, barracudas galore, rainbow parrot fish, midnight parrot fish and sea turtles. Here are some of the top locations that Sea Base crews often visit. See this page for the larger map and descriptions of each reef or dive site.

   

    

6. Fishing

   Fishing licenses: None needed for the Keys Adventure Islamorada Adventure, since the fishing is done on the boats, not on land. Sea Base, responding to a question on Facebook said (May 2026): "Participants do not need to purchase their own individual fishing licenses for any program except for BEC Keys Adventure, Fishing Adventure, and Out Island Adventure, all of which take place at the Brinton Environmental Center in Summerland Key, FL. More information and specific details are here. Please find the most recent fishing license update for Brinton Environmental Center programs here.  
   Fishing Equipment: All fishing tackle and equipment is provided by Sea Base. Please do not bring personal fishing gear (other than lures, which you may bring).

7. Should I bring a hard suitcase?

   No. Soft duffel bags ,especially the waterproof bags above, work much better aboard sailboats.
    

8. Suncreen vs. Sun shirts

   If you wear your long sleeve sunshirts and a hat with a neck covering, you really won't need very much sunscreen, just on your face in your hands and your lower legs and feet maybe your knees.  I took 4 bottles folr two people, and only used one: because we wore the hat and sun shirt. The shirt is more comfortable that the mineral sunscreens!

9. Do I need seasickness medication?

   Many participants benefit from Dramamine or Bonine similar medication on the first day, and less so after that, as they adjust. See this page for much more avoiding sea sickness information, including natural methods!! Generally, take Dramamine the night before and the morning of each day's activities.
    

10. Pizza? Did you say pizza?

    I heard they have pizza at the Sea Base Islamorada cafe?
    Yes, see the ordering form at right. You need to order 24 hours in advance! Having said that... people report that it's just "okay". Most prefer to order from South Island Pizza and that it was really good. If you say "Quirky Conch" when you order, you get a 10% discount, too! In addition to pizza, they have Appetizers, Salads, Burgers, Hot Subs, Sides, Drinks, and Specials. Even a Meatball Parmesan sub for $15 (2026 price).

What NOT to bring

This is where people blow the 40L limit:

❌ Full sleeping bag (too hot and bulky)
❌ Mess kits and cooking gear
❌ Cotton hoodies/sweatpants
❌ Multiple pairs of shoes
❌ Large towels
❌ Hard suitcases
❌ Aerosols
❌ Unnecessary valuables
❌ “Just in case” extras

More Information

• One scout made a nice 25-minute video of the packing list with his recommendations (I've merged his recommendations into the list above).
• For discussion about Sea Base - see the Sea Base Sea Trek group

The 2026 Florida Keys Sea Base Packing list:

Sea Base Islamorada