BSA Sea Base Ultimate SCUBA Adventures Guide and Packing List, What to Get and Where to Get It!

Here is a master list of the essentials you'll need for a Sea Base Keys SCUBA Adventures high adventure sailing, snorkeling trip, or any overnighting at sea, on islands, etc.

Sea Base provides meals, dry bags, fishing equipment and nearly everything else you will need on your adventure

They suggest to bring spending money ($150-$200) per person for the onshore days, souveniers and replacing lost, damaged or expended supplies.

Fishing Equipment: Again, all fishing tackle and equipment is provided by Sea Base. Please do not bring personal fishing gear.

Duffle bags
Snorkel and Mask
Clothing: sun hat, sunshirts, dive gloves, dive socks, sandals, Hawaiian Luau shirt, etc
Water bottles
Sunglasses, straps
Neck gaiter / buff
Rain poncho
Towels
Kits (first aid, personal hygiene)
Suncreen and bug lotions
Sleeping gear - mats - pads, liner insert, pillows
Electronics - headlamp, battery/power pack
Cameras: waterproof, from $40 - $400
More information
Forms for SCUBA adventures - this takes you to the Sea Base website for the most current forms

The simple process is:

Scroll down this page to understand what you need, to see
what the options are, and where to get it at the best price. There are detailed explanations what to look for, recommensdations, and tips about here to get each item with links to it.
Sea Base Shopping/Ordering Checklist:
Next, once you know what you want to get, see this page for a checklist to print and check off as you shop, order and receive items ! It shows the same items as on this page, but in a checklist format. You can check off items as you go, and come back any time to resume! (this shopping checklist is also available as a PDF for offline-only use). You can easily skip this checklist and just use the nextr one, #3, the all-in-one, for everything.
Sea Base All-In-One Final Packing Checklist and Cost Calculator:
Then, as you get ready to actually pack your duffle bag(s), we have 3 options to track and pack. Personally, I like #2, the cost estimator checklist, best.
1. a simple, packing checklist that will track costs, total them and allow you to print it out or use it online to be certain that you got everything required and packed it in the duffle! - OR
2. A simple cost estimator, calculator AND packing checklist - all in one. Once you know what gear you want to get, pack and take, this one page will do it all, and save your entries for later updates. - OR
3. Finally, for old school folks who wanty to do things the hard way :) here is a PDF version of the All-In_One Checklist and Costs Tracker. (The PDF version will track costs but obviously cannot do the math/cost calculations for you, it's paper and pencil!)

Other related pages:

UNofficial official Sea Base page with loads more information about Sea Base.
Underwater Cameras, underwater and action cameras, GoPro's etc all options from $40 - $700
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!

Note - we are NOT affiliated with BSA or Sea Base, just scouts and scouters trying to help other scouts and scouters!

SCUBA Adventures Packing List

Preface: Almost everyone who has been on a Sea Base adventure says they brought TOO MUCH, and spent almost all of their time in their swim suit, sun shirt, fins, sunglasses, sun hat and wearing mineral sunscreen.

For a complete official packing list for your adventure please see the following list pages in the Sea Base official guide. But below after these links, we provided the same information, organized by category, and with specific recommendations from people who have been on these trips to specific gear and where to get it:

SCUBA packing lists - and here is the complete SCUBA guidebook
This covers: All SCUBA Adventures and Reef Trek
Following the packing list is a list of specific recommended items and where to get them.

2026 SCUBA Adventures Sea Base Packing list

Recommended Gear, By Category:

Packing gear

IF your adventure will go on a sailing boat - The 2026 sailing participant guide says "All personal items brought aboard, other than sleeping and snorkeling gear, must fit into a Sea Base size-approved duffel bag. Space on the sailboats is limited, please only bring size-approved duffle bags. " (FYI, That's 40L) .

Obviously, dive gear, tanks, sleeping mat, googles, snorkels do not need to fit inside the 40L duffle bag.
Sea Base size-approved bag should be close to a 12in. x 12in, x 20in. bag. Bags should not have hard sides or wheels. In addition to personal bags, each crew may bring 2 military style duffle bags to carry first aid kits, sunscreen and crew sleeping gear. The size of the military style duffel is irrelevant as long as the bag is fully collapsible."

You can buy any of these from $20 - $70 and all (EXCEPT the Sea Base bag) are waterproof and all meet both Sea Base and airline carry-on requirements, below, from least expensive to most expensive:

Convertible backpack inexpensive 40L waterproof duffle - This one is half the price of the others, but gets high ratings and over 30,000 ratings on Amazon, You can use it as a backpack, shoulder strap, or hand straps. Many color choices.
This one is my recommendation overall.
Waterproof 40L duffle bag ($40 - $60), Shown in blue in photo 2, hand straps and shoulder straps,
plus it has one inside and one outside waterproof pocket.
It is solidly built and gets great reviews, plus it comes in many sizes and colors,
Waterproof 35L backpack duffle bag - The kids like this one because it is a backpack design, but honestly, they will only be carrying it from the car to the boat, except on the St. Thomas trips, where they must swim to shore with the bag.
the Sea Base camp bag. They sell a 37L water-resistant duffle bag for $70 at Sea Base (2026 price)
(but, it is not waterPROOF). Just blue or black with the logo, but not waterproof and triple the price of the convertible waterproof backpack bag (#1 above). Only get it if you forgot a bag or must have the Sea Base logo on it.

Snorkel and Goggles

You need to bring your own or buy it at the Sea Base ship store, but I would not recommend that. They only sell one generic brand and if it is a poor fit, well, have fun with that.

It's enough of a specialized topic, that it's all on its own page: See this page for everything you need to know AND where to get it!

All divers need a dive watch.

At most dive sites you'll likely be digging in the sand at 30'underwater. A cheap Walmart Casio or Timex with 50m rating or more is fine, as long as you do not press the buttons underwater. An analog watch is easier to read.
Scouts will simply be recording start and end dive time. The dive masters will have their own dive computers, scouts only need the watches for the information for their logs. Most don't go deeper than 34 feetNo need for a $1800 Garmin dive computer watch!

Forms

Remember, there are additional forms for SCUBA adventures, on the forms page.

Clothing and personal gear

Clothing: ALL quick dry, not cotton:
- Sun hat - This wide-brimmed sun hat gets great reviews, wide brim, covers the back of your neck - and it has a strap under the chin, which is vital, because otherwise one good breeze and it is gone.
- UPF30+ long-sleeve shirts, for sun protection. They say to bring 2. I think 2 would be enough. Both Costco and Sam's Club have these ultra-lightweight shirts for $10 - $20 in March - May. They DO sell out! The ones with a hoodie are recommended.
- Sailing Diving gloves - Optional: protects your hands from cuts, abrasions, sun, coral, sea urchins, bug bites, aggressive fishies... These gloves can also be used as paddling gloves for protection from sun and blisters, if your trip involves paddling to and from Big Munson or other islands.
- Neoprene water socks - These are to wear inside your fins 3mm to prevent chaffing, they are optional, but also protect your feet from sharp coral and shells and from no-seeums. Neoprene with 4-way stretchy nylon laminated, elastic and durable. Most people get the tall version to protect your lower legs and ankles. They are very comfortable.
  Sea Base says: "While not required, neoprene socks are suggested for comfort and sun protection. A thin neoprene sock worn with fins while snorkeling can help prevent potentials blisters. "
- 2 Pairs of swim suits: One or two pairs of swim trunks or and 1 dry pair for land (or combo swim/shorts). Really, you're likely to be in the swimsuit 90% of the time.
- 1 pair of pants, Convertible Zip Off Lightweight Waterproof Quick Dry pants recommended (switchback scout pants are fine). And these could double as your shorts.
- Teva, Keen or Chaco style sandals - secure water sandals, presumable for off-boat (on shore walking, or wading).
  Teva, Keen and Chaco sandals are brand names that cost between $45 - $125. Yikes!
  Any secure sandal will work! You can get these sandals for a fraction of the price.
  You don't want them able to easily slide off your foot like flip flops would. You need that straps that keep them on.
  Some people found that fully enclosed water shoes, like these water shoes on Amazon or at Academy Sports (2026 prices from $11 to $35) or Wal-Mart (2026 price $10-$17) were ideal for walking around on islands.
  We're told you cannot wear shoes, water shoes, or sandals ON the boat. Only barefoot or neoprene water socks that have the rubberized tacky bottom. So, if you were orthotics or otherwise need foot support, get the water dive socks and you can put your orthotic inside it!
- 1 Pair of socks - if needed. It seems unlikely.
- Casual, non-scouting shirt (optional, probably unnecessary)
- 1 Conch Luau Shirt - I KID YOU NOT. A Hawaiian shirt is in the official packing list. I like this shirt, but this shirt is super cheap, if you want one-and-done. 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 for $35 in 2026. Or get a shirt online for 1/3 the price.
- If you are going on Big Munson Island you will be wading in shallow water around so they say to bring a pair of water shoes. These water shoes need to be hard-soled and closed-toe.
Nalgene 32 oz BAP-Free Wide Mouth Water Bottle and an insulated matching insulated carrier / coozy to keep it insulated and with a carabineer. The one linked to Amazon coozy has a should strap and even zipped pockets. Much cheaper with the links on the photos, even less that Wal-Mart. So you get the bottle and the carrier for just the cost of the bottle alone at Sea Base. Also a carabineer to clip the water bottle (and/or coozy) to the railing. Note, many captains strongly prefer plastic carabineers due to
- metal-on-metal noise is annoying on sailboats,
- metal clips can scratch gelcoat/railings,
- and lightweight plastic clips are adequate for hanging water bottles and towels.
At the Sea Base Ship store, the 2026 Nalgene water bottles are $26 double the cost of the Nalgene bottle on Amazon .
Polarized sunglasses with a strap - Since you might drop them overboard, you probably want cheap glasses, and a strap for them. I get the 3-pack of sunglasses with a strap included for dirt cheap. ALL polarized inexpensive sunglasses are plastic and will break, get scratched or get lost, so I figure a 3 pack is the way to go. If you already have the glasses but need a strap, this strap floats the glasses, so if you drop them overboard, you can scoop them back up. One suggestion, if you need prescription sunglasses, is to get polarized sunglasses at Zenni Optical. They have prescription, if you need them, or non-prescription if you don't. They're inexpensive, but decent. Consumer affairs guy Clark Howard loves them.
Neck Gaiter (aka, a "Buff") - The point here is to protect your neck from the brutal sun. Better than sunscreen. And believe me, the water and sand will reflect sun UP to your face, under your hat and burn you. So you use either this or more sun screen on your neck.

Rain poncho - If it's summertime in the Florida keys, Gulf, Caribbean, Bahamas or Bermuda... then it's semi-tropical, so expect afternoon / evening thunderstorms. If you're in a swim suit and don't mind getting wet, skip this. People say raincoats are too hot, heavy and bulky and a light poncho is preferable. This rain poncho is reasonably tough and takes up no space.
Towel - Fast Drying Lightweight Microfiber Travel Towels - The official guide says 2 fast-drying towels. They are also useful for covering legs from the sun when sitting on deck:
• (1) Regular
• (1) Microfiber sham/Camp Towel
One pack of these fast dry towels will do just fine as both regular and microfiber ->
Personal hygiene kit - razor, shaving cream, soap, shampoo,
Mini first aid kit with large bandages, tape, Hydrocortisone lotion, antihistimine, moleskin, triple antibiotic cream, ink pen, notepad, Advil/Ibuprofen, Tylenol/Acetaminophen, Benadryl lotion, pepto bismol, Tums antacid, swimmers ear treatment, Dramamine or Bonine. Note: pills/gelpacks/gummies work better on boats than liquids which will spill on a rolling boat!
Note: MANY of these items are rarely used, so your crew may want to simply include them in the crew kit.
Sea Base also recommends vinegar because it helps with stings from jellyfish and other marine life stings.
Talk with your trip/crew leader; it may be more practical to just get 1 large size of many of these items and put it in the crew bag.

And a crew Sea Base Specific First Aid Kit: Every crew must provide their own first aid kit A Sea Base Specific First Aid Kit includes all items found in a traditional back country first aid kit.

Safety, sun and bugs

Lotions (no aerosols are allowed, pumps sprays are allowed on land)

Avon Skin So-Soft lotion - contains repellant for midges/no seeums. people rave about how effective it is against midgets at twilight. They also say with Picardin (i.e., Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard) works.
Lip balm with reef-safe zinc oxide sunscreen - they say this is really necessary to protect your lips from the intense Caribbean sun!
And since it is small and rolls easily... it will get dropped and roll off the boat.
Many past Sea Base participants recommend getting the
Zip Stick Retractable Lip Balm Holder.
It comes in a 5-pack so split it with others in the crew.
Sunscreen - Sea Base says, get biodegradable reef-safe* sunscreen, at least 45 SPF. other than that, It's your personal preference.
* Sunscreens containing Oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene are prohibited. Only mineral-base sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are permitted.
I've found that the mineral-based lotions like this reef-safe Blue Lizard Sport SPF 50 Lotion have really improved and last all day. They are what my dermatologist recommends.
The Sea Base Ship store sells mineral sunscreen for $25 for 75ml/2.5 oz, but at that price, it's FAR better to bring your own (Sea Base is marking it up 400%).
Blue Lizard is available at both Wal-Mart and online for about $3.20/ounce which is 1/4 the cost of buying generic mineral reef-safe lotion at Sea Base, ... and online it sells for a substantial discount in a 2-pack (two 5 ounce tubes).
In May 2026, Costco has a Blue Lizard 2 pack (a 5 oz tube and a 3 oz tube) for $19, which is $2.37 per ounce, plus tax.
Aloe Vera lotion - for sunburn and regular burns. You can get it in a box of 30 packets, so 1 per crew, or just give your scout 10 packets in a zip lock pag and he can carry on the plane in his bag.
Or this Gold Bond Healing Hydrating Body Lotion with Aloe is extremely popular and very highly rated.
Benadryl lotion is recommended for bug bites and stings. Vinegar is also recommended to bring.
Hydrocortisone lotion for rashes, like in swim suits from sand and other irritants.
Deet, also the "Repel brand, is good for mosquitos, less so for midges / no-seeums. No aerosols!
Get the higher concentration of deet for lasting protection, at least 25%. I use 40%. You can get it at Target, Wal-Mart, drug stores or Amazon. If you are on a boat, you may have to pour it into a non-pump spray bottle, the Capatins say over-spray makes the descks slippery.

Clothing/gear for Mosquito and No-Seeum / midge protection:
The No-Seeums can be fierce, especially at twilight and when on land or close to shore. Sooo, if you are camping on an island or the boat will anchor near an island, it could be very problematic. People report that Avon So-Soft skin lotion works as a no-seeum (but not mosquito) repellant, but their bites are SO miserable and lasting, I'm bring at least the head netting, which can be worn over any hat, to keep the netting off your face, such as when sleeping. The netting must be rated 1000holes/sq in. Standard mosquito netting has holes around 500-800 per square inch. No-see-um netting has 1000+ holes per inch and blocks the tiny biting midges that will penetrate standard mesh. If needed, your long sleeved sun shirt and pants, socks, gloves might work for the rest of the body.
The following are only needed for the adventures that camp on the islands or land:

Whole body (head, jacket, pants), Mosquito / No-See-Um Mesh suit, Super Light and Cool, or this one that ALSO includes hands and feet.
Head: Ultra-Mesh Mosquito Head Net for Midges, No See-ums and Small Insects Head covering (goes over your hat). This is simple, inexpensive and effective against mosquitos, midges, no-seeums, horse flies, black flies, etc.
Upper body: Fine mesh bug jacket
Legs: Fine mesh bug pants
Mesh mini-tents for sleeping:
If you need the smallest, this mesh netting tent to put your sleeping mat inside, this netting which you hook to something ABOVE you, would work. It takes up almost no room at all and weighs next to nothing. It can fit in your pocket and weighs only 1 pound.
There is also a 1-Person fine mesh sleeping tube tent which folds into a flat 2 ft wide disk, so it might be too big to carry on an airplane, but fine if driving.

Sleeping gear

Sleeping bag insert / liner to use instead of a sleeping bag in hot climates. In the semi tropics in the summer months, there is no point in bring an actual sleeping bag. Instead, they use a sleeping bag insert. The linked Sleeping bag insert in the photos (and this one if the other is sold out) has a zip-up side and includes a built-in pillow pocket so your pillow won't blow overboard. These typically cost less than $20.
People suggest just taking an old flat bed sheet, folding it in half lengthwise and sewing the bottom and halfway up the side. I would think Velcro instead of sewing would work, too. Be sure it is a quick-drying fabric, like polyester, for those nightly rains.
Really, for less that $20, unless you have an old sheet laying around and are handy with a sewing machine, a sleeping bag liner that is quick-drying, with a built-in zipper and pillow pocket is simple, effective and best.
Pillow, inflatable - curved so you don't roll off of it. You may not need it if you have one of the inflatable air mattresses that have a pillow built into the air mattress.
A downside of a separate inflatable pillow is, you better keep it inside your sleeping insert's pillow pocket or clamp it down with paracord, above, if it is windy, which it usually is on a boat!
Sleeping pads: The guide says bring a light weight sleeping pad. That might be because most boats can sleep only five people on "beds", really couches with cushions. But, the boats are very tight on space, so the others must sleep on the floor/deck. Those people definitely need a pad. And, if you're sleeping on the ground on an island, instead of a boat, you also absolutely need a sleeping pad. Most people report bringing a small sleeping pad of some kind, but with a tether so it won't blow overboard.

There are basically 3 options, each with their own advantages and disadvantages:
1. Self-inflating foam mat - This is best in my opinion. Even if it were to leak, you still have foam. This one is waterproof, and has a built-in pillow, too. I've used these for decades, and they are confortable, and if it gets cut by something sharp on the boat, the foam is still much better than nothing!
  Wal-Mart sells the Ozark brand for about $32.
  It looks to be almost as good as the Amazon mat, except the Amazon mat says it is waterproof.
  The premier brand is Therm-a-Rest, and I have one that is 30 years old, which still works great. But Therm-a-Rest is mega expensive.
  If you need the smallest foam mattress you can get (rolled up), pick this 1.5 inch thick one.
  Or this 2 inch thick version, or 3 inch and slightly wider, too.
  I would suggest bringing the smallest one you have, unless you're over 200 lbs, then you will need the 2 inch or 3 inch thickness.
2. Folding Foam Sleeeping Pads - preferred by some people. These are the accordian-style fold up 1/2 inch stiff foam pads. The only advantage I see to them is they can't leak or deflate and they are extremely lightweight. Of course, that does mean they could blow away more easily.
  But these take up more room and are NOWHERE near as comfortable as soft foam.
  
  These are great for the younger scouts who don't weigh much and might damage an inflatable, but not so much for an older scout or adult.
  Wal-Mart sells one that appears to be identical for $35 in 2026. And a plain foam mat, like a yoga mat for only $15. Again, fine for a small child, but anyone over 100 lbs? I doubt it.
3. Inflatable air mattress - with a foot-pump.
  Very lightweight and compact BUT if these spring a leak, which is fairly common, you're out of luck.
  Some people like the Klymit Static V, but it is ridiculously expensive (almost triple the cost of the others).
  These are basically a pool float with a built-in foot pump. To each his own.
  I would suggest you read the reviews first.
Foam ear plugs and snore strips - Yea, you think you don't snore? Riiiiggghhhtt! Got news for you, if you're 15lbs or more overweight, you very likely snore. So, there's bound to be at least one noisy snorer on every boat.
Anyone who's been on a scout camping trip knows this.
Most foam earplugs have a rating of noise reduction between 24 decibels and 29 decibels. The higher, the better.
So, unless you are a heavy sleeper, you're going to need the ear plugs.. and you can give the snorers the nose strips. Win-Win.

Swimmer's ear AND noise reduction:
Some people says these Mack's Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs are the best, especially if you are prone to swimmer's ear infections.
They're 22dB noise reduction (less than the usual 24 - 29dB, but they also are waterproof and can help prevent swimmer's ear. So, You can wear them at night to cut down the noise but you can also wear them in the water to prevent swimmers here.

More miscellaneous gear

Waterproof phone pouches, mini dry bags for phone, keys, wallet, etc. and this one is a floating IP68 rated for up to 8.3" iPhone's like 17, 16, 15, 14, 13 (and smaller sizes) and for Pro Max Samsung S25 Ultra S24 S23. IPX8 is waterproof, but not intended for extended underwater use, just protection. IP68 is a higher standard for brief snorkeling. These are a simple, very inexpensive (you can often get 2 pouchs for less than $10) and effective way to keep your phone safe. For true, extended underwater filming and use, see the enclosures on this page. There's even a place to attach a lanyard (included) or a carabiner to it so you could clip it to the backpack, railing or whatever.
Dry bags: Floating Waterproof Dry Bag Backpacks; sizes 5L/10L/20L/30L/40L, with Roll Top Sack, Keeps Gear Dry The Sea Base website says they provide you one, but does give any other details.

Electronics

Headlamp - rain and splash-proof, rechargeable, very bright light, multiple settings including red to prevent sea turtle confusion when camping on Munson so they don't think the white light is moon light and go in the wrong direction. And the red won't wake other in your group when you are standing watch. The light shown and linked here has a 1500mAh built-in rechargeable battery, 4-10 hours after full charge, Super Bright and Motion Sensor, motion sensor mode, weighs only 1.76 OZ, lamp head can be rotated 60°, IPX4 waterproof for rain or snow, indoors or outdoors, many modes: main strong beam, main weak beam, side strong beam, side weak beam, red beam, SOS red strobe. I've got several of these that are 6 years old and still work great.
Battery backups to recharge devices:
BEST: This Portable Power Bank 50,000 mAh, Ultra-High Capacity Battery Pack, 2 USB ports, and 4 different cords - lightning, USC, USA and micro, all built-in, Charging Power bank would work great.
GOOD: This power bank with a built-in solar-panel for recharging Power Bank 10,000mAh, Battery Pack with USB C for Cell Phones even has a flashlight. But reviewers said it doesn't really work, that the solar charging would take a super bright day for a half-recharge, and since the panels are attached to the battery, it all sits out in the hot sun, which subnstantially degrades the battery's ability to charge and hold charge. Rechargable batteries do not like heat!.
The boat has some charging ports to recharge but don't count on them being available.
Solar Chargers - This intruigues me! I have spoken to 2 scout leaders who had scouts who actually used these. They said it took a very bright day, but it did work. Some scouts even attached the panels to the back of their backpacks and charged their device while hiking. This was the one they used:
40W Foldable Solar Panel Charger: High Efficiency, Portable N Type Cell, USB-C/USB-A connectors for Fast Charging, IP67 Waterproof, very Lightweight for Outdoor use, Travel, Emergencies. Downside: aside from the 2 leader's reviews, there are only a few dozen reviews on Amazon, so....
30W solar panel charger is lower power thatan the panel above(30W vs 40W), but it has almost 10,000 reviews and a high rating.

Nice to have underwater recording optional items

See this page for ALL of the waterproof, even underwater, camera options from $45 on up to $400, from generics, Fuji, Insta, GoPro, DJI and everything in-between.

More Information

See this page for the complete list of sailing / SCUBA adventure tips and insider knowledge!

Frequently Asked Questions

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!