One could say that this all began back in 2016. On the island of Saint Martin in the Caribbean on a sunny June afternoon, a sailing ship, a Navy veteran, and a yearning for change came together in one life-altering experience. This type of experience doesn’t happen very often in one lifetime and this was one of those rare, unexpected, and difficult-to-describe existential moments in a person’s life. Ultimately, two windjammer sailing adventures in the Caribbean became the catalyst that led to the formation of Seadog Travels in late 2020.
Welcome to Seadog Travels! If you love the ocean and everything that goes with that – boating, beaches, tropical islands, diving, snorkeling, sailing, ocean conservation, sea life, and more – then we have a home for you. This is an ambitious effort to create a company that is, or will be, part travel, part science, and part adventure. Our driving vision is to help people explore and protect the oceans of the world. Our travel offerings are the ‘explore’ part of that last statement. The ‘protect’ part will come later as we grow. Welcome aboard!
Leadership Team
Paul S. Hardersen, Ph.D. Dr. Hardersen has a wide-range of experience in travel, start-up business, scientific research, and college-level teaching. His travel experience covers a decent chunk of the globe including North America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. He has also sailed the Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean, North Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Suez Canal, Indian Ocean, and the Gulf of Oman. Currently, he is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Seadog Travels, a diverse, ocean-themed travel company. He formerly served as the Chief Executive Officer of Trouvaille LLC, a small group travel company, from 2017-2020.
Dr. Hardersen has earned the Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) and Certified Travel Associate (CTA) designations from The Travel Institute. Seadog Travels has travel agency accreditation via the TRUE code through CCRA.
Dr. Hardersen honorably served in the U.S. Navy (1983-1988), earned undergraduate degrees at Iowa State University (Ames, IA), and graduate degrees (M.S./Ph.D.) from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, NY). He served as an Associate Professor at the University of North Dakota from 2003-2017. While there, he was awarded a university-wide professional/graduate teaching award in 2013 and, separately, was honored by having an asteroid named after him (8140 Hardersen) by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
Travel Hosts
Dee Peppe, MFA, Photography; Maine Travel Host. Ms. Peppe is an Assistant Professor in the art department at the University of Maine, and an entrepreneur with three small businesses which include a photo tour company that combines travel adventure and photography education. She has been teaching and leading groups for three decades in the United States, Central America, and Europe. The last few years she has focused on the Maine coast offering opportunities for guests to experience the culture and the history of coastal and island communities. As a fine art photographer, Dee’s exhibition record spans 35 years, and her work is in several museum and private collections.
Along with Ms Peppe’s educational and career adventures, her personal adventures include riding a motorcycle to Central America, bicycling across the United States, living in a tepee for four years through New England winters, and living on a sailboat. She has studied natural resources conservation and lives her life with high regard for the environment.
Travel Network & Suppliers
Maine
M Transportation Services. Seadog Travels has partnered with M Transportation Services to provide all local transportation services for tour groups visiting Maine. M Transportation’s commitment to quality service, as well as the high-quality of the busses that they use, will ensure our Maine tour groups will enjoy comfortable and enjoyable transportation as they explore the state.
New Orleans
Unique NOLA Tours. Seadog Travels and Unique NOLA tours offer single-day and custom multi-day tours and group travel in New Orleans. Unique NOLA Tours is one of the premier tour providers in the city and, together, we custom curate group adventures all over the Big Easy.
Florida Keys
Key West Coastal Charters LLC. This company provides private charters and sandbar trips for up to six people per outing. The boat, a 23-foot center console captained by Amy Ellington, in based near Key West, Florida. We will work with Amy to provide leisure and educational boating trips to groups visiting the Keys.
Borden Company LLC. Based in Marathon, Florida, Borden operates a charter service utilizing a 2017 Sea Fox Commander 266 center console boat. Fishing, sandbar, and snorkeling charters are available for groups up to 18 people. Seadog Travels will promote Borden’s services for groups wanting a boating adventure a bit upwind of Key West.
Saint Lucia
Naomi Roserie, Lucian Explora, Saint Lucia Tour Operator. Lucian Explora is a full-service tour operator on the island of Saint Lucia. Seadog Travels works closely with Lucian Explora to provide travelers the ultimate travel experience at Saint Lucia. Seadog Travels and Lucian Explora can provide a comprehensive travel experience on the island. Services include travel arrangements and reservations, local transportation, tours, and accommodations.
Puerto Rico
Rutrex Puerto Rico LLC, Tour and Transportation Provider. Seadog Travels partners with Rutrex to provide group tour services on the island of Puerto Rico.
The Bahamas
Bahamas Ride Experts. Seadog Travels is partnering with Bahamas Ride Experts to provide all local transportation and tours for groups visiting Nassau,New Providence Island, and Paradise Island. This partnering will provide the highest-quality transportation and services for groups. visiting the island for leisure or business.
Stephen Fawkes. Seadog Travels feels very fortunate to have a partnership with Stephen Fawkes on Great Inagua Island in the southern Bahamas. Together, we have developed an all-inclusive travel experience for up to 10 people. Inagua is known for its laid-back vibe, great people, fantastic birding opportunities, as well as places to snorkel and sportfish. Learn more at https://seadogtravels.com/inagua.
Destination Weddings
Sigwe’ Group. Seadog Travels and the Sigwe’ Group offer comprehensive destination wedding services to destinations in the Florida Keys, The Bahamas, Saint Lucia, and destinations across the Caribbean. We offer unparalleled, all-inclusive services to provide superior wedding planning services for couples and families wanting exceptional service at exceptional locales. Begin your lives together in style!
Board of Advisors
Seadog Travels constituted a Board of Advisors in 2022 with the purpose of retaining people with an interest in Seadog Travels and who could provide advice and guidance for the development of the company. The Board meets semi-annually to discuss the business and to provide advice for current and future programmatic activities. Current Board members include Paul Hardersen, Sarah Nolan, Sasha Naugler, and Steven Hardersen.
4Ocean Wavemaker Program
Seadog Travels participates in the 4Ocean Wavemaker Program. This is a 4Ocean-led community of individuals and organizations who advocate and work to promote ocean conservation and healthy oceans. Participation in this program by Seadog Travels is the initial effort in the longer-term effort of the company, which will be to conduct meaningful ocean scientific research via a fleet of tall ships. Stay tuned!
Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)
Seadog Travels is certified as a Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The company is also registered with the System Award Management (SAM) with the U.S. government and is eligible to obtain and administer federal contracts.
