Under The Sea

MISSION

Education through Exploration

To protect the world’s ocean by teaching and inspiring a new generation of ocean environmental stewards…a Citizen Scientist Aquanaut™.

SEA STAR™

Sea Exploration and Aquanautics Simulations, Training and Analog Research

Blending citizen science, marine science and diving science principles to provide a novel “education through exploration” learning program focused on inspiring a new generation of ocean and environmental stewards.

Citizen Scientist AquanautTM participants will experience first-hand what life is like under the sea. After all, you can’t earn the title of “Aquanaut” without living at least 24 hours underwater. In addition to a 24-hour undersea habitat experience, participants will learn about diving physics and physiology, citizen science opportunities in oceanography and marine sciences, utilize dive tools to perform safe underwater cleanup of coral reefs, conduct fish identification, as well as experience what it’s like to work on the Moon or Mars while performing tasks on seafloor excursions from the habitat.

The SEA STARTM program blends citizen science, marine science, diving science, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) principles to provide a novel “education through exploration” learning program to support its mission of enabling and inspiring a new generation of ocean and environmental stewards.

It is through programs such as SEA STARTM that everyday people have the opportunity to contribute in a significant and meaningful way to the collective body of knowledge and understanding of Earth’s oceans.

Classes start in 2021

Special Inaugural pricing $1449 per person

Click Here to Pay Through Paypal

Course Description

The SEA STAR’s Citizen Scientist AquanautTM Program is very similar to a hybrid continuing education and/or personal development program, combining multiple methods of instructional delivery, including online, home study, and “ground school” (in-person, hands-on instruction). The training flow is designed to provide Participants with an opportunity to apply the academic knowledge gained from the online coursework to hands-on practical application in multiple diving, citizen science, and undersea habitat systems during the undersea habitat mission and training in Key Largo, Florida. Upon successful completion of all program elements, participants receive a certificate of completion from the SEA STARTM program, and earn the following Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) diving credentials:

  • PADI Aquanaunt
  • PADI Underwater Maintenance

Course Tuition Includes

  • Online Citizen Scientist, Fish Identification and Leave No Trace courses via e-learning management system
  • Undersea habitat mission
    • Experienced Dive Master divers and facilitators
    • Overnight in the Underwater Habitat
    • Participate in a Fish Identification and Count Dive
    • Learn how to work around coral reefs to protect them from injury
    • Tanks, tank fills and dive gear
    • 2 PADI Diving Specialties (described to the right)
    • Lunch at Hideout Restaurant and Pizza in the Habitat!
  • Underwater Slate and Pencil and Mission T-shirt
  • 1 year REEF membership
  • $10 donation to Ocean Sanctuaries
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Schedule

Saturday 9am – check in at the habitat

Saturday – full day of diving!

Sunday 9am – Check out of the habitat

Important Reminders

DAN recommends not flying until 18 hours after multiple dives and the US Air Force recommends not flying until 24 hours after diving

Don’t forget to bring your dive certification cards.

IMPORTANT: You must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and have your vaccination card with you when you arrive to check in at the dive facility. If you are not vaccinated, you will be turned away from the facility with no refund.

As a recommendation, You should seriously consider not diving if you:

  • Have a history of heart disease, heart attack, or heart or blood vessel surgery
  • Have a history of high blood pressure, angina, or take medication to control blood pressure
  • Have had chest surgery
  • Have a history of seizures, dizziness, blackouts or fainting, convulsions or epilepsy, or take medications to prevent them
  • Have a history of respiratory problems or disease
  • Have a history of lung disease
  • Have had emphysema or tuberculosis
  • Have had a collapsed lung (pneumothorax)
  • Have a history of ear disease, hearing loss, or problems with balance
  • Have a history of sinus problems
  • Have a history of ear or sinus surgery
  • Have any psychological reasons that would prevent you from diving
  • Have a history of colostomy (a surgical opening that connects the colon to the surface of the abdomen)
  • Have diabetes
  • Have asthma
  • Have recently had an operation or serious illness
  • Have a nervous system disorder
  • Have a history of bleeding or other blood disorders
  • Are under the care of a physician or have a chronic illness
  • Have had difficulty with your ears
  • Are claustrophobic or have panic attacks
  • Are currently suffering from a cold or congestion

CANCELLATION POLICY

Because our partners have full schedules, we must strictly adhere to the following cancellation policy:

  • Cancellations fourteen days or more prior to reservation will receive a 50% refund of your deposit (minus transaction fees, including but not limited to Paypal fees, partner cancellation fees and restocking fees)
  • NO refund for cancellations within fourteen days prior to reservation
  • You may reschedule your reservation for a fee of $100 per person.
  • If the reservation must be cancelled due to a hurricane evacuation, you may reschedule at no cost