SEA BASE

There are many different sea-based adventures, so there is varying advice across these adventures. The three adventures we participated in for 2025 are listed below. ( Keys Adventure Sailing, keys Adventure, Scuba) However, there are some general things that should be acknowledged.

Bring a water bottle because you need to drink lots of water. It will be your best friend. Nalgene is a great option.
- Wide-mouth water bottles are needed for getting ice in
- However, a wide mouth is difficult to drink on a moving boat. So, things like a mouth insert help. Or there are double top options.
A carabiner, a net, or some way to attach your water bottle to the boat is required.
Neoprene Nalgene cover is cool. It will be in the sun all day
Microfiber towels dry quickly and can be purchased affordably. Additionally they are lightweight and can be used on backpacking trips.
Neoprene socks are good at preventing blisters while wearing fins.
There is an ocean current; it’s not bad, but you do get moved around. So practice swimming beforehand.
Most trips include snorkeling. YKIKI Divers give good snorkels.
Practice using your snorkel since it takes time to get used to. Adults with facial hair might consider shaving their mustache before the trip as it breaks the seal and lets water in.
Sunscreen is a MUST, but check reviews and don't just buy cheap stuff online. Blue Lizard sunscreen was good, effective, and reef safe; other cheap brands were... unusable! Read reviews!
Bring a buff to keep the sun off your face and water splashing from a moving boat.
Bring clothespins! They publicly shame the people who hang their clothes on the rails.
DRAMAMINE!!! Even if you don’t usually get motion sick, if you're stuck on a sailboat for a week, Dramamine and motion sickness patches will come in very handy.
Kids do need an ID if they’re not flying with their parents.
If you use a good brand, you don’t need as much sunscreen as you think you do.
Women:
- Consider a sports bra and long sleeve shirt, wearing a swim suit and shirt was too hot and too much.
- Perhaps get swim shorts.
- Do not bring one-piece. (You'll be wearing a suit all day and every day. It's hard to get it off and on for the restroom, and Sail Boat bathrooms are tiny.)
- Bikinis are not allowed, but a tankini is recommended.

KEYS ADVENTURE SAILING

This is a hybrid adventure: 2 days on shore in glamping tents, and 3 days on a sailboat, with lots of snorkeling, paddle boarding, kayaking, and optional fishing.

Schedule

Every day:

7:45 Flags
8:00 AM Breakfast

5:45 Flags

6:00 PM Dinner

First day:
Arrival and set up in tents

Tour

Snorkel Practice in the bay

First night - Free Play

Second day:

Breakfast

AM - kayaking / fishing

Lunch

Snorkeling

Dinner

Evening choice - paddle board / service project / fishing

Third day:

Breakfast

Snorkeling

Lunch

Small boat sailing

Dinner

Evening - Challenge night

Fourth day:

Get on the big sailboat in the AM. Schedules vary by captain and crew's choices

Sixth day:

Come home

I was wet the whole time - either water or sweat, I was wet. After coming back from the boat, shower off in the rinse station to get rid of salt. Shower at night in the shower house before bed.
There is a laundry, and provide detergent.
Have a wet clothes plan for the plane home. We got right off the sailboat and headed straight to the airport, so bring a trash bag for wet clothes.
We visited Indian Key Island. Really neat. Bug spray would have been nice to have. Also, the ground was rocky, water shoes have a thin sole, perhaps a thicker sandal. But this is just preference.
Everybody gets a different boat so situations my vary. Pack light, we just threw all of our stuff on a table.
The showers are not the best.
We flew to Miami and rented a car. Would recommend
Glamp tents have power, so bring a power strip. The boat may have USB, depends on boat/captain.
In the glamp tents you want something to go on the mattress, like a sheet or sleep sack. For a cover it will depend on how well your A/C works.
On the boat if it doesn't rain you'll sleep on the deck, foam pads are recommended because air pads rock back and forth with the boat (it's weird). Boats don't have A/C. The boat deck is not made for sleeping on, bring a pad.
No shoes on the boat.
We stopped at Docs Diner on the way down, if you're in the mood for a diner I would recommend! On the way home we had some time to kill and we wanted good fresh seafood. The boat captain recommended Lazy Days. It was exceptional. WINNER WINNER FISH DINNER! ;-)
Practice kicking your shoe in the radius of a flagpole. (Trust me).

KEYS ADVENTURE

One of our groups had to do the swim test once they got there.
Went to Key West, bring tennis shoes, lots of walking, and money for dinner.
Munson Island
- Leave long pants on the whole time you are there because of bugs.
- They have tents, but you might want to sleep outside under the stars, so bring a pad or hammock. A tarp might work too.
- No pillow needed, if you use the dry bag, or clothes rolled. Dry Bag was provided.
Where we stayed was very nice. Thin mattress but nice. Building, with A/C. 20 people bunks.

SCUBA

Bank of showers, girls and guys shared
People might be worries bout BCD sizes. Plan ahead.
Dorms were cold, plan accordingly
Visit the history of diving museum.

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