Should I bring a hard suitcase to Sea Base?

No. Soft-sided duffel bags are strongly recommended because storage space aboard sailboats is extremely limited.

What shoes work best for Sea Base Islamorada sailing?

Quick-drying sandals, water shoes, or deck shoes with good grip work best for Sea Base sailing adventures.

Do I need seasickness medication for Sea Base?

Many participants benefit from bringing seasickness medication, especially during the first day on the water.

Should I bring my own snorkel gear to Sea Base?

Participants are generally expected to bring their own mask and snorkel. Full-face snorkel masks are not allowed.

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!

Other related pages:

What can you do after finishing at Sea Base plenty of fun stuff nearby or on the way to the airport.
The UNofficial Sea Base page with loads more information about Sea Base.
Underwater Cameras, underwater and action cameras, GoPro's etc all options from $40 - $700
Florida Keys Fishing Tips
Merit badge requirements you can complete while on a Sea Base Adventure!
Tips: This page has "good to know" tips gleaned from former Sea Base participants.
Sea Base Forms, and tips to organizing them for a speedy check-in!
FAQs : Sea Base frequently asked questions - the constantly growing FAQs page is here.
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

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 FLL.

2026 reported costs are around $500 per person and they have been highly recommended.
What are the dorms like at Islamorada base camp?

You can see an example in the photos. When you arrivem, you won't receive much instruction, but you pick a vacant cubical and move the clothes pin on the outside of it to "adult" or "youth", as appropriate. Inside each cubical are 2 bunk beds. All you need is pillow and sleeping bag, and some people put a fitted twin sheet on it, but if you have sleeping bag or bag liners, that's not vital.
Crews report the AC makes the rooms cold, so you will want some form of blanket or light sleeping bag. This lightweight mylar emergency sleeping bag would be perfect to bring along as a emergency blanket for the cold dorms,, rain tarp on the boat, etc.
They also say the mattress is very thin, so you may also want to put your air mattress on top of it.

There are electrical outlets in the dorms, but they are few in number; bring a power strip and/or a USB hub!

The snack shop that has icees ($5) and milk shakes ($8) (2026 prices). There is one ice machine station. Bring a Nalgene 32 oz BAP-Free Wide Mouth Water Bottle to make filling it with ice easier and faster (as everyone is trying to fill up their bottles before they leave after breakfast). An insulated matching insulated carrier / coozy keeps it insulated and cooler much longer. Many people bring Gatorade flavoring packets to keep hydrated.
There are coffee, hot water and tea packets available 24-7 in the Galley. There is often sugar, Equal and Splenda they DO run out of the popular items, like Splenda and creamers, so they put out powdered creamer. They do not provide cups, so you must bring your own coffee cup, although you can buy an expensive cup in the shop.

The dorm balcony has rope to hang wet items. Don't hang wet items on anthing made of wood!
Glamping Tents???

Yep, you heard right. Instead of dorms, you may be staying in tents on Islamorada. The glamping tents have older air conditionersand don't really get the tents cold or even cool, until about an hour before it's time to wake up. Electrical outlets are very limited: bring a power strip and/or a USB hub with additional USB charging ports.
Laundry at Islamorada

There are laundry facilities at the dorms at Islamorada (in the room with the crew lockers) and they are free to use and have free detergent.
Sleeping on boats
Here's the type of sailboat that you will likely be sleeping on - if you are doing the sailing adventure or other overnight on a boat:

OK, first thing to know is, to say that there is not a lot of space on the deck for sleeping is the understatement of the trip. The boats used are typically a Morgan 41 sailboat and this is a typical deck from that boat. As you can see from this photo, it's pretty much less than 24 inches wide most places, which means your air mattress is going to bend and fold between some crevice and you're going to be crammed in that. So, you also have to look for anything sharp and avoid putting it against that if it's inflatable .
What are the bathrooms and toilets like at the Islamorada base camp

Islamorada dorms have a regular bathroom with several toilets. Obviously, you have to take turns between adults and scout use. The showers are separate shower rooms with pull string and curtains. There are 4 separate shower rooms (each with 5-10 showers) for adult male or adult female or youth male or youth female.
There are also individual bathrooms with toilet and showers. These are intended for the boat captains or those in the camping in tents.
Ummm, okay... and what are the bathrooms and toilets like on the boats?

There are no showers on the boats.
The toilets are marine "heads" (pump action small toilets) or composting toilets. You ONLY put poop and pee in the toilet. Anything else (like toilet paper) must going in a doggie poop bag in the toilet paper waste receptacle. Most people pee in the ocean. Hey. You think 50 tom mammals like whales don't? If you've ever wondered what the water suddenly got real warm... you probably swam into whale pee. (yeah, you're gonna Google that aren't you! 😁)
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.
Souvenirs
At the Luau, they will have a branding station, so if you want to get your favorite cup/bottle branded with the sea base logo make sure to bring it.
Bring pennies for crushed penny souvenir machine - it takes 1 quarter, plus a penny, and there are NO pennies in giftshop.
Shaming
As is usual for Boy Scouts 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
Best snorkeling locations

You'll see reef sharks, nurse sharks, vibrant corals, rays, barracudas galore, rainbow parrot fish, midnight parrot fish and sea turtles
1. Alligator Reef was named after the sunken USS Alligator and is located 4 miles off Islamorada. In November 1822, the USS Alligator, a U.S. Navy schooner on patrol to suppress piracy and protect merchant convoys in the Caribbean, ran aground on a shallow reef four miles off what is now Islamorada. Unable to free the ship, the crew burned and sank her deliberately. The Alligator Reef Lighthouse, a 136-foot iron skeleton structure, was completed in 1873. The shallow 10-to-20-foot living coral barrier reef boasts over 500 marine species! It is located within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
2. The Donut Hole at Cheeca Rock
3. Looe Key
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).
Should I bring a hard suitcase?
No. Soft duffel bags ,especially the waterproof bags above, work much better aboard sailboats.
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.
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!