UAS Foundation • Key West, Florida •
May 6–10 & May 14–18, 2026
Henrietta Marie Pilgrimage 2026
Join UAS Foundation in Key West for a sacred underwater pilgrimage to the Henrietta Marie slave ship site, commemorative ceremonies at Higgs Beach, and heritage-focused diving with NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Spaces on the Henrietta Marie dive are extremely limited and first-come, first-served. Scientific diver credentials are required for the memorial site. All divers and non-divers are welcome on the UAS Key West trip.
Organized by the Underwater Adventure Seekers Foundation (UASF) in partnership with Stanford University
Two extended weekends in Key West
May 6–10, 2026 • Arrive Wednesday, depart Sunday
Henrietta Marie scientific dive (limited, credentials required)
May 14–18, 2026 • Arrive Thursday, depart Monday
UAS Key West 2-tank dives open to divers & non-divers
May 14–18, 2026 (Only)
Henrietta Marie scientific diver package: $2,100 per diver
Key West dive package: $1,000 per diver
Non-diver cultural package: $600 per person
All payments to the UAS Foundation are charitable donations and tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Why this pilgrimage matters
Return to the Henrietta Marie: honoring history beneath the surface
Since 1993, NABS members have journeyed to the Henrietta Marie slave ship site—an underwater memorial honoring the lives lost in the transatlantic slave trade. After the PBS documentary on Dr. Albert José Jones, The Black Godfather of Scuba, a new generation of divers and scholars is called to return.
In 2026, UAS will lead two extended weekends in Key West combining sacred commemoration, community storytelling, museum-based learning, and scientific monitoring of the Henrietta Marie site in partnership with NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Dive the Henrietta Marie memorial site (credentialed scientific divers only) May 6–10, 2026
Participate in commemoration at the African Refugee Memorial & Cemetery at Higgs Beach
Experience the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum and see Henrietta Marie artifacts
Engage in a public panel discussion, social gatherings, and media conversations
Join additional 2-tank Key West dives open to all certified divers May 14–18, 2026 Only
Core pilgrimage activities
- 1 dive on the Henrietta Marie site (weather & credentials permitting)
- Up to 3 dives on nearby recreational sites
- Commemorative gathering at Higgs Beach African Refugee Memorial & Cemetery
- Guided tour of the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
- Public panel discussion at the museum + social gathering afterwards
- Opportunities to engage with PBS, Associated Press, and Morgan State University
Not diving the memorial site? You can still fully participate in the pilgrimage, cultural events, museum programming, and separate 2-tank dive days in Key West.
May 14–18, 2026 Only
Choose your dive experience
Henrietta Marie scientific dive & UAS Key West dives
Because NOAA manages the Henrietta Marie site within a marine protected area, all in-water operations there require credentialed scientific divers. Additional Key West dives are open to all certified recreational divers, and non-divers are warmly invited to participate in topside events.
Henrietta Marie scientific dive
Partnering with NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, we will monitor the Henrietta Marie memorial site, collect data, and submit a report as part of ongoing heritage site stewardship May 6–10, 2026.
- 1 dive on the Henrietta Marie site (weather permitting)
- Up to 3 dives on recreational sites
- NOAA scientific monitoring protocol & reporting
- PADI Full Face Mask Certification for divers in Stanford research project
- Very limited capacity: two 6-diver boats (12 total divers/people)
Eligibility & priority
• Credentialed scientific divers only
• First-come, first-served based on full payment
• Boat capacity strictly limited by NOAA and operator
UAS Key West dive trip
For those unable to dive the Henrietta Marie site, you can still be fully part of the pilgrimage—plus enjoy dedicated Key West diving with another operator May 14–18, 2026. (Only)
- Two days of 2-tank boat diving on Key West sites
- Private charter for UAS members (min. 8 divers required)
- Boat capacity: up to 16 divers + 16 non-divers
- Full access to commemoration, museum, panel, social events
- Open to divers and non-divers
Who this is for
• Certified recreational divers
• Non-divers joining family and community
• Members wanting the full cultural program without scientific dive requirements
Trip investment
Pricing for UAS members
All payments made to the UAS Foundation are considered charitable donations and are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.
What’s not included
Henrietta Marie Scientific Diver – Does NOT include
Airfare
Ground transportation
Meals
Gratuities
Key West Diver – Does NOT include
Airfare
Ground transportation
Accommodations
Parking fees
Meals
Gratuities
Where to stay
Recommended lodging in Key West
A recommended lodging accommodation for UAS members is:
Hilton Garden Inn Key West / The Keys Collection
3850 North Roosevelt Boulevard
Key West, Florida 33040
Phone: (305) 320-0920
UAS members who are going to the Henrietta Marie memorial site will stay at this location. Additional hotel options in Key West may be used by Key West-only divers and non-divers.
Important notes
- Henrietta Marie scientific diver package includes 4 nights of lodging and parking fees.
- Key West diver and non-diver packages do not include accommodations or parking.
- You are responsible for booking your own travel (airfare and ground transportation).
- We recommend booking early due to May demand in the Florida Keys.
Secure your place
Spots on the Henrietta Marie dive are strictly limited
Because of limited boat capacity (two boats, 6 divers each), the Henrietta Marie scientific diver trip will fill quickly. Full payment is required to secure a spot on the dive boat.
First-come, first-served based on full payment received
Indicate whether you are a scientific diver, recreational diver, or non-diver
Let us know which date window(s) you plan to attend
You will receive waiver instructions via email
Reserve your spot
Complete the short form below and our team will follow up with payment instructions, required waivers, and scientific diver credential verification (if applicable).
By submitting this form you acknowledge that this trip involves scuba diving and ocean conditions, and that final participation is subject to UAS, NOAA, and operator safety requirements.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
If you don’t see your question here, use the form above and our team will follow up directly.
Do I have to be a scientific diver to join the pilgrimage?
No. Only those diving on the Henrietta Marie memorial site must be credentialed scientific divers under NOAA requirements for this marine protected area. The UAS Key West dives are open to certified recreational divers, and non-divers are welcome to participate in all topside pilgrimage events (Higgs Beach commemoration, Mel Fisher Maritime Museum tour, panel discussion, and social gatherings).
How are spots on the Henrietta Marie dive assigned?
Because boat capacity is limited to two 6-diver boats (12 total divers/people), spaces are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Full payment is required to secure a spot on the Henrietta Marie dive boat. If you are not able to secure a scientific dive spot, you may still join the pilgrimage and Key West dives.
What happens if weather prevents diving the Henrietta Marie site?
Each window has a built-in contingency day. For Window 1, May 7 is the primary Henrietta Marie day and May 8 is the contingency. For Window 2, May 15 is the primary day and May 16 is the contingency. Final dive decisions will be made by the captain and NOAA guidelines with safety as the top priority.
Are meals, airfare, and ground transportation included?
No. Airfare, ground transportation, meals, and gratuities are not included in any of the packages. The Henrietta Marie scientific diver package does include 4 nights of accommodations and parking fees; the Key West diver and non-diver packages do not include lodging or parking.
Are my payments tax-deductible?
Yes. All payments made to the UAS Foundation for this trip are considered charitable donations and are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. Please consult your tax advisor for specific guidance.
Dates & high-level schedule
Two extended weekends in May 2026
Choose the week that best fits your schedule—or join both. Each window includes travel days, dives, and shared pilgrimage events.
Window 1 • May 6–10, 2026
Arrive Wednesday, depart Sunday.
May 6 (Wed): Arrival in Key West, check in, evening welcome
May 7 (Thu): Henrietta Marie dive site (primary scientific dive day)
May 8 (Fri): Recreational Key West dive sites or contingency date for Henrietta Marie (weather-dependent)
May 9 (Sat): Commemoration at Higgs Beach, Mel Fisher Maritime Museum tour, panel discussion, social gathering
May 10 (Sun): Departure
Window 2 • May 14–18, 2026
Arrive Thursday, depart Monday.
May 14 (Thu): Arrival in Key West, check in, evening connection
May 15 (Fri): Henrietta Marie dive site (primary scientific dive day)
May 15 (Fri): Recreational Key West dive sites (weather-dependent)
May 16 (Sat): Recreational Key West dive sites or contingency date for Henrietta Marie (weather-dependent)
May 16 (Sat): Recreational Key West dive sites (weather-dependent)
May 17 (Sun): Commemoration at Higgs Beach, Mel Fisher Maritime Museum tour, panel discussion, social gathering
May 18 (Mon): Departure
Henrietta Marie Pilgrimage 2026
Organized by the Underwater Adventure Seekers Foundation (UASF) and Stanford University partners in collaboration with NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum.
All schedules, activities, and pricing are subject to change based on weather, vessel availability, and partner requirements. Final itinerary and details will be confirmed closer to departure.
Contact & updates
For questions about the pilgrimage, scientific diver requirements, or logistics, please email [email protected] and member of the UAS Foundation team will respond.
© 2026 UAS Foundation. All rights reserved.