About Us
Sea Bear Charters was founded on the idea of Quality, not Quantity. We would rather do less excursions, be as flexible as we can, and provide high quality service vs. trying to squeeze in as many trips as possible. This allows us the ability to keep our vessel and equipment in tip-top shape, pay attention to all the little details, focus on safety, and build a great relationship with our clients. We try to create the best day possible by being flexible and willing to change things up throughout your trip as needed or desired. Experience the Keys like a local without the time crunch and constraints of a strict itinerary.
The Vessel
Sea Bear is 32’ Regulator and is authorized to carry up to 6 passengers or less. These are private trips and Sea Bear will be for you and your guests only. She is not your average day boat. She is a Carolina boat heavy and wide. She feels bigger on the deck than many of her size and with her weight and beam, she rides smooth if the sea and weather build while we are out. She is equipped with a marine head (bathroom), twin 300 HP Yamaha outboard engines, a Garmin Navigation package, a 3 rung Armstrong swim ladder, and we stock a variety of watersports toys on board for you to enjoy while we are out at the various locations. Sea Bear has plenty of cushioned seating for your comfort. The Captain is a stickler for maintenance. This vessel, her equipment and gear is kept up between trips with lots of attention to detail. This helps to ensure you have a safe, clean, and beautiful vessel to enjoy your trip on.
Your Captain
Captain Stephen Shaw was raised in south FL. and has been on, in, and under the waters of FL. and the Keys since he was 3 years old. He has been permanently based in the Keys and calling it home along with his wife Lauren, and puppy Bailey since 2008.
Stephen soloed his first small vessel when he was 7 years old. He started working on larger vessels for private families and Captains when he was 15 and gained his Captains License from the USCG after completing training at the Chapman School of Seamanship at the age of 18. Stephen has worked and traveled all over the world on a variety of boats.
After college, Stephen pursued a career in Construction services, Fire Rescue, and Aviation, all while simultaneously working on a variety of boats for private families and maritime operations. It was always his desire to operate his own vessel and share these experiences with others while building new, long-lasting relationships.