Sea Base

What Sea Base does

Sea Base is a nonprofit Scouting America high adventure program that delivers ocean-based experiential education across 5 locations in the Florida Keys (Islamorada, Summerland Key, Big Pine Key), Abaco Bahamas, and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Operating since 1980 as Scouting America's first co-educational facility, the organization runs 18 programs including SCUBA certification (PADI Open Water through Instructor), sailing on vessels over 40 feet, live-aboard charters, Polynesian war canoe expeditions, offshore fishing, and primitive island camping at the 100+ acre Big Munson Island. The program portfolio serves Scouting America units (Troops, Crews, Sea Ships, Venturing and Sea Scouts aged 12+), with named extensions into college and K-12 marine science education, family tent camping at Camp Sawyer, conference/retreat hosting during the October-April off-season, the COASTS program for Special Needs Scouts, and PADI professional training pathways (Divemaster Academy, Instructor Development Course). A distinguishing technical capability is the Brinton Environmental Center's coral restoration program: the first land-based coral nursery of its kind in the region (built 2019 with Mote Marine Laboratory), housing approximately 15,000 corals across 8 hard coral species and outplanting 4,000 annually to degraded reefs as part of NOAA's Mission: Iconic Reefs. Supporting physical infrastructure includes custom-built Newton Dive Specials, gaff-rigged topsail schooners, sailing catamarans, and a PADI 5 Star training facility described as the largest scuba training center and dive pool in the Florida Keys.

Revenue is generated through non-refundable per-crew registration fees ($350 per crew for 2026/2027, set 12-24 months in advance by BSA National High Adventure Bases), paid professional certifications (Divemaster and IDC graduates work one season for Sea Base as payment), Family Adventure Camping at $55-$200 per site per night, conference and event rentals, donations supporting the campership fund and coral restoration, and retail via the Ship Store. Distribution runs through the Scouting America reservation system (reservations.scouting.org) on a per-crew, first-come, first-served basis, supported by direct outreach through local councils, charter organizations, Order of the Arrow, and cross-promotion at other BSA high adventure bases such as Summit Bechtel Reserve, Philmont, and Northern Tier. The organization held a stack of accreditations including PADI 5 Star IDC, ACA accreditation, NCAP certification (2019-2023), REEF Field Station designation, NOAA Blue Star, Florida Clean Marina, Project AWARE, and SERVSAFE food safety. Sea Base serves approximately 16,000 participants annually across approximately 51-100 employees and is led by General Manager Michael Johnson with Timothy Stanfill as Assistant General Manager.

Name

Sea Base

Legal name

Scouting America Sea Base

Website

https://seabaseha.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Sea Base is a Scouting America nonprofit that delivers ocean-based high adventure education — SCUBA, sailing, fishing, kayaking, and marine science — across five locations in the Florida Keys, Bahamas, and U.S. Virgin Islands, serving approximately 16,000 Scouting units, schools, families, and special-needs participants annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Adventure Education

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Dive Centers & Scuba Training (PADI/SSI, certifications) (THAAAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Snorkeling Tours & Reef Experiences (THAJAJAE), Guided Diving & Snorkeling Excursions (boat/shore trips) (THAAAIAB), Private Charters & Yacht Experiences (Crewed, Bareboat, Day Charters) (THAJAJAB), Snorkeling & Marine Activity Centers (THAAAKAE)

Keywords

• Outdoor youth programs
• Scuba diving certification
• Sailing adventure programs
• Marine science education
• Coral reef restoration

Headquarters

HQ city

Islamorada

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. High Adventure Program Fees: Sea Base generates primary revenue through per-crew registration fees for high adventure programs. Adventures are priced as a whole unit (per crew), not per person. Crew sizes are specific to adventure type: 4-6, 6-8, 10-12, or 18-20 participants. The registration fee is $350 per crew for 2026/2027, with payment due in installments.
2. Donations and Campership Fund: Donations support coral restoration efforts, general operating fund, and camperships for Scouts with demonstrated financial need. The Sea Base Coral Restoration Program accepts donations to restore Florida's coral reef.
3. Professional Training Courses: Revenue from professional development programs including Divemaster Academy and Instructor Development Course. Participants agree to work for Sea Base for at least one season as payment for the course, though materials and application fees are paid by participants.
4. Conference and Event Hosting: Sea Base generates revenue hosting conferences, retreats, and events for Scouting America groups, non-profits, and governmental agencies at its Florida Keys facilities during off-season (October-April).
5. Family Adventure Camping: Family Adventure Camp operates October-April at Camp Sawyer, offering luxury deluxe tents ($200/night) and rustic tent sites ($55/night). Revenue from camping fees and associated activities.
6. Ship Store / Retail: The Scoutstore (store.bsaseabase.org) sells Sea Base merchandise, custom crew gear, apparel, duffel bags, and snorkeling equipment to participants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Sea Base is a Scouting America high adventure program that delivers multi-day aquatic adventure experiences including scuba diving, sailing, snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, marine science education, and coral reef restoration. It operates 18 distinct programs across five locations in the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, serving approximately 16,000 participants annually through per-crew group registrations.

Product overview

Sea Base is a Scouting America high adventure program offering 18 different aquatic adventure programs across 5 locations: Florida Sea Base (Islamorada), Brinton Environmental Center (Summerland Key), Bahamas Sea Base (Marsh Harbour), St. Thomas Sea Base (USVI), and Camp Jackson Sawyer. The program portfolio includes scuba diving programs (SCUBA Adventure, SCUBA Certification, SCUBA Advanced Marine Exploration, SCUBA Live Aboard, Reef Trek), sailing adventures (Coral Reef Sailing, Eco Sailing, Keys Adventure Sailing, Sea Exploring, St. Thomas Sailing, Bahamas Adventures, Bahamas Tall Ship), kayaking/camping programs (Out Island Adventure, Keys Adventure), fishing programs, and the COASTS special needs accessibility program. Supporting offerings include professional training (Divemaster Academy, Instructor Development Course, Captain's Course), coral reef restoration, school programs, conference center facilities, and family adventure camping. The programs serve approximately 16,000 participants annually and operate February-April, May-August, and December.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SCUBA Certification Program PADI certification program offering Open-Water and Rescue Diver certifications. Includes 3 days training at the state-of-the-art Scuba Training Facility and 3 days of diving on Newton dive boats. Designed for Scouting America participants seeking scuba credentials.
• SCUBA Adventure Certified diver program exploring coral reefs, wrecks, and underwater rock formations. Participants make up to 11 dives including a night dive aboard custom-built Newton Dive Specials in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
• SCUBA Advanced Marine Exploration

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves approximately 16,000 participants annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Coral Restoration FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Sea Base partners with Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF) in the SCUBA Advanced Marine Exploration Adventure. Scouts work with CRF to help restore coral reefs, learn about coral anatomy, and practice real-world restoration techniques. CRF's goals include restoring Florida Keys reefs, inspiring ocean advocacy, and using science for coral monitoring.
• Mote Marine LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership with Mote Marine Laboratories culminated in the construction of the first land-based coral nursery of its kind on-site at the Brinton Environmental Center in 2019. The partnership supports coral restoration efforts in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
• NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSea Base partners with NOAA and NOAA Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary for marine education and coral restoration. Recognized as a NOAA Blue Star provider. Part of NOAA's Mission: Iconic Reefs initiative.
• Florida Department of Environmental ProtectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Florida DEP for environmental programs. Sea Base is designated as a Florida DEP Clean and Sustainable Marina.
• Dolphinfish Research ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for marine research and education opportunities.
• Sea SchoolcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSea School is a US Coast Guard-approved maritime training school that partners with Sea Base for the Captain's Course. The course prepares participants to earn their USCG-issued captain's license. Sea School is considered the premier maritime training school in the country.
• PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors)coreTechnology or IntegrationSea Base is a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Center and offers PADI certifications including Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, Divemaster, and Instructor. All scuba instructors are PADI certified.
• Capt. Jack SailingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCapt. Jack Feeney serves as the main instructor for the Captain's Course, leading sessions on Teaching Sailing, Introduction to Celestial Navigation, and other beneficial coursework outside the Sea School curriculum.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Northern Tier: Scouting America National High Adventure Base in Minnesota and Manitoba offering canoeing, kayaking, and winter programs. Same parent organization, accreditation framework, and crew-based pricing model as Sea Base.
• Outward Bound USA: Non-profit expedition-based learning organization offering wilderness and sailing courses for youth and adults. Comparable experiential education model, crew-based programs, and accreditation-driven safety culture to Sea Base.
• Summit Bechtel Reserve: Scouting America National High Adventure Base in West Virginia focused on adventure sports (climbing, BMX, zip lines). Sister program within the same Scouting America network with similar reservation, accreditation, and cross-promotion mechanics.
• Philmont Scout Ranch: One of four Scouting America National High Adventure Bases, alongside Sea Base. Operates backcountry trekking and mountaineering programs in New Mexico, with similar per-crew pricing, program accreditation, and parent organization affiliation.

Others

• REEF Environmental Education Foundation: Citizen-science marine conservation organization with which Sea Base holds a Field Station designation. Provides fish survey training used in Sea Base's marine education programs and shares the marine stewardship mission.
• Coral Restoration Foundation: Strategic partner running the SCUBA Advanced Marine Exploration Adventure with Sea Base. Operates the largest coral reef restoration effort in the Florida Keys and shares both restoration methodology and citizen-science participants with Sea Base.
• Captain Jack Sailing: Independent sailing instruction provider partnered with Sea Base for the Captain's Course curriculum. Operates in an adjacent sailing education niche with overlapping instructor network.
• Mote Marine Laboratory: Marine research institution that co-developed Sea Base's land-based coral nursery. Operates in the same Florida Keys geography, with overlapping coral restoration, education, and citizen-science mission areas.
• PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors): Global scuba certification body of which Sea Base is a 5 Star Instructor Development Center. Standards body and enabling partner rather than direct competitor, but operates its own resort and training network that overlaps with Sea Base's scuba offerings.

Broad incumbents

• National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS): Larger and longer-tenured non-profit wilderness education organization. Operates broadly across land and water adventures with similar youth leadership development mission but is not embedded within a single youth-organization network like Scouting.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SeaBaseHA
• Facebookfacebook.com/SeaBaseHA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sea-base-high-adventure-scouting-america

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sea Base