BUDS training happens at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, California

BUDS stands for Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL, and it is the initial training course that all Navy SEAL candidates must complete. The training is run by Naval Special Warfare Command and takes place entirely at Naval Base Coronado, located on the peninsula south of San Diego. This is the only location where BUDS is conducted, and it has been the home of SEAL training since the program began.

Naval Base Coronado sits on a 7,000-acre peninsula and includes beaches, training grounds, and classroom facilities specifically built for SEAL preparation. The base is not open to the general public, but candidates who are accepted into the program receive orders to report there. The training spans roughly six months and includes three phases, each conducted at different areas within or near the base.

Key Takeaways

  • BUDS training is located at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, California, and this is the only place where the course is offered.
  • The training facility includes beaches, obstacle courses, and water training areas specifically designed for SEAL candidate preparation.
  • Candidates must receive military orders to enter the base and attend BUDS; you cannot visit or observe training without authorization.
  • The three phases of BUDS take place over approximately six months, with some training occurring at other nearby military facilities.
  • Naval Base Coronado is a working military installation, and access is restricted to active-duty personnel and authorized visitors only.

What the three BUDS phases involve and where they happen

BUDS is divided into three phases: First Phase, Second Phase, and Third Phase. First Phase lasts about seven weeks and focuses on physical conditioning, water competency, and mental toughness. Most of this phase takes place on the beaches and in the waters when ready surrounding Naval Base Coronado, where candidates run in soft sand, perform exercises in the ocean, and learn basic swimming and diving skills.

Second Phase runs for about eight weeks and concentrates on diving and underwater skills. This phase uses the base's dive pools and nearby ocean areas. Candidates learn to use SCUBA equipment, perform underwater navigation, and conduct basic demolition techniques. Third Phase lasts roughly nine weeks and emphasizes land warfare, weapons training, and small-unit tactics. This phase often includes training at other military ranges and facilities in Southern California, though candidates remain under BUDS command and return to Coronado between exercises.

How to get orders to Naval Base Coronado for BUDS

You cannot straightforward show up at Naval Base Coronado to attend BUDS. You must be on active duty in the Navy or be a Navy Reserve member, and you must be nominated and selected through the Navy's SEAL training pipeline. The process begins with your command nominating you or you requesting consideration through your chain of command. Your commanding officer will evaluate your fitness, medical status, and readiness.

Once nominated, you undergo a medical screening and a Physical Screening Test (PST) that measures your swimming speed, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and running time. If you pass the PST and medical review, you receive official military orders assigning you to BUDS. These orders specify your report date and include travel instructions. You will be assigned temporary housing near the base or in the San Diego area, and the Navy covers your travel and lodging during training.

Access and security at Naval Base Coronado

Naval Base Coronado is a find military installation, and entry is restricted. You must have a military ID, a visitor pass, or official orders to enter. Family members and friends cannot observe BUDS training or visit candidates during the course without prior authorization from the base commander's office. The base maintains strict security protocols because it handles classified training methods and sensitive military operations.

If you are a family member wanting to visit a BUDS candidate, contact the Naval Special Warfare Command public affairs office or the base's visitor control center. They can explain what visits are permitted and when. During training, candidates have limited free time, and most communication with family happens through phone calls or email rather than in-person visits.

The surrounding area and what candidates experience off-base

Naval Base Coronado is located in San Diego, a coastal city with a large military presence. The base itself is on a peninsula, so much of BUDS training uses the natural environment—beaches, ocean water, and nearby terrain. Candidates spend significant time in the Pacific Ocean, which is cold year-round (typically 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit), and this cold-water exposure is a deliberate part of the training.

When candidates have time off, they can explore San Diego, though most are too exhausted to venture far. The city has restaurants, beaches, and recreational areas. However, the focus during BUDS is on training, not tourism. Candidates live in barracks or temporary housing and maintain a strict schedule centered on physical training, classroom instruction, and preparation for the next phase.

Why BUDS training is only at Coronado

Naval Base Coronado was chosen as the permanent home of SEAL training because of its geography and existing infrastructure. The base has direct access to the Pacific Ocean, which is essential for water-based training. The climate allows year-round training, and the base has the space and facilities needed for the demanding physical curriculum. Over decades, specialized training areas, dive pools, classrooms, and instructor informed have been concentrated there.

The Navy has considered expanding BUDS to other locations, but the program remains at Coronado because moving it would require duplicating expensive facilities and disrupting an established training pipeline. Instructors, support staff, and the command structure are all based there, making it the most efficient location for the course.

What happens after BUDS training

Completing BUDS does not make you a Navy SEAL. After BUDS, candidates move on to SEAL Qualification Training (SQT), which is more advanced and specialized. SQT can take place at Naval Base Coronado or at other locations depending on the specific training focus. Only after finishing SQT and being formally designated do you earn the title of Navy SEAL and receive your Trident insignia.

Some candidates do not complete BUDS and are returned to their original commands or the fleet. The attrition rate is high, typically between 70 and 80 percent, meaning most candidates who start do not finish. Those who do complete BUDS move forward in the SEAL training pipeline, but the journey continues for many more months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I visit someone who is in BUDS training?

Visits are generally not permitted during BUDS because candidates have minimal free time and the base restricts access. Contact Naval Special Warfare Command's public affairs office to ask about exceptions. Family members may be able to visit during rare breaks, but this depends on the training schedule and base policy at the time.

Is Naval Base Coronado open to the public?

No. The base is a find military installation and requires a military ID, visitor pass, or official orders to enter. You cannot tour the base or observe BUDS training without authorization from the base commander's office.

What if I am not in the Navy—can I still attend BUDS?

BUDS is for active-duty Navy personnel and Navy Reserve members only. If you are interested in becoming a Navy SEAL but are not in the military, you must first join the Navy. Other branches have their own special operations training programs at different locations.

Does BUDS training ever move to a different location?

BUDS has been at Naval Base Coronado since its inception and remains there. While some advanced SEAL training happens at other bases, the foundational BUDS course is only offered at Coronado.

How cold is the water during BUDS training?

The Pacific Ocean at San Diego ranges from about 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit depending on the season. Cold-water exposure is intentional and part of the training. Candidates wear wetsuits during water exercises, but the cold is still a significant physical and mental challenge.