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Choose Your Own Adventure #16
Survival at Sea
The reader is asked to make decisions which will determine the outcome of a tidal wave at sea.
118 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
About the author
Edward Packard
172 books130 followersEdward Packard attended and graduated from both Princeton University and Columbia Law School. He was one of the first authors to explore the idea of gamebooks, in which the reader is inserted as the main character and makes choices about the direction the story will go at designated places in the text.
The first such book that Edward Packard wrote in the Choose Your Own Adventure series was titled "Sugarcane Island", but it was not actually published as the first entry in the Choose Your Own Adventure Series. In 1979, the first book to be released in the series was "The Cave of Time", a fantasy time-travel story that remained in print for many years. Eventually, one hundred eighty-four Choose Your Own Adventure books would be published before production on new entries to the series ceased in 1998. Edward Packard was the author of many of these books, though a substantial number of other authors were included as well.
In 2005, Choose Your Own Adventure books once again began to be published, but none of Edward Packard's titles have yet been included among the newly-released books.
The first such book that Edward Packard wrote in the Choose Your Own Adventure series was titled "Sugarcane Island", but it was not actually published as the first entry in the Choose Your Own Adventure Series. In 1979, the first book to be released in the series was "The Cave of Time", a fantasy time-travel story that remained in print for many years. Eventually, one hundred eighty-four Choose Your Own Adventure books would be published before production on new entries to the series ceased in 1998. Edward Packard was the author of many of these books, though a substantial number of other authors were included as well.
In 2005, Choose Your Own Adventure books once again began to be published, but none of Edward Packard's titles have yet been included among the newly-released books.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 15, 2019
I finally managed not to get killed. How nice.
June 13, 2026
We’ve met Dr. Nera Vivaldi in a previous book, and this time she takes you on the high seas with a research team looking for a dinosaur considered extinct long ago. Some believe the Arkasaur still lives in the Pacific Ocean, and your job is to find proof. Cruising in a forty-foot sloop christened the Allegro, you, Dr. Vivaldi, and the crew depart Bariba Island on your mission...until warnings flood the airwaves that an underwater volcano has erupted. It could cause tidal waves; should you continue on and hope they won't hit you?
A huge wave blasts the Allegro, lifting you atop its volatile mass. A fall from this height will be fatal, but steer with skill and you'll survive for now. Depending where you direct Vivaldi next, you may spot a new island created by the underwater eruption. The first person to land and claim it could be owner of their own country, your crewmate Maiko points out. When he proposes that the two of you sneak away and claim the island for your own, will you go along with his plot? Maiko might abduct you for refusing, but this could net you an encounter with a living Arkasaur. Agree to Maiko's plan from the start and you may still wind up on his bad side; you could be set adrift and rescued by a businessman who offers to purchase your half of the island. Refuse and he'll toss you into the ocean, but survival is possible. You have rocket flares, but be judicious as to when you deploy them. Maybe you remained with Maiko longer, until an eruption on the new island threatens your life and his. Separated from Maiko in a skiff, you could sail for the island Etuk, but it's two hundred miles away. You might be better off floating where you are hoping for rescue, or going back on the island...but there's no guarantee of safety this close to volcanic activity.
Much in the story depends on reading the Allegro's chart correctly. When you're still onboard with Vivaldi and the crew, choosing to sail a certain direction ushers you to safety on tropical Carina Island; another direction takes you into a life-threatening squall. A third option strands you and Pete Karn, son of the Allegro's skipper, on a raft while the rest of the crew sinks with the sloop. The two of you suffer sunburn, dehydration, and starvation, but you might come upon a ship called the Serena aground on a reef, which offers scant supplies and protection from the elements. Should you stay on the ship despite not seeing any sign of humans, or take your raft out again? Remaining with the Serena, you spot a vessel passing miles away, but can't get its attention. Should you light the Serena on fire to catch the eye of whoever is captaining the vessel? With supplies dwindling, you have to know which risks are lunacy...and which are your only shot at survival.
There are better early Choose Your Own Adventures by Edward Packard. I group Survival at Sea with Your Code Name Is Jonah and The Third Planet from Altair, books that don't expand on the premise in novel ways. Survival literature can be captivating, but this book is too shallow for that. Some elements—including the name of your sloop and a character called Vivaldi—return in a much later Packard Choose Your Own Adventure, Typhoon!, but that one is better. I might only rate Survival at Sea one and a half stars; after the excellence of the author’s The Cave of Time, Deadwood City, and The Forbidden Castle, this one is more disappointment than not.
A huge wave blasts the Allegro, lifting you atop its volatile mass. A fall from this height will be fatal, but steer with skill and you'll survive for now. Depending where you direct Vivaldi next, you may spot a new island created by the underwater eruption. The first person to land and claim it could be owner of their own country, your crewmate Maiko points out. When he proposes that the two of you sneak away and claim the island for your own, will you go along with his plot? Maiko might abduct you for refusing, but this could net you an encounter with a living Arkasaur. Agree to Maiko's plan from the start and you may still wind up on his bad side; you could be set adrift and rescued by a businessman who offers to purchase your half of the island. Refuse and he'll toss you into the ocean, but survival is possible. You have rocket flares, but be judicious as to when you deploy them. Maybe you remained with Maiko longer, until an eruption on the new island threatens your life and his. Separated from Maiko in a skiff, you could sail for the island Etuk, but it's two hundred miles away. You might be better off floating where you are hoping for rescue, or going back on the island...but there's no guarantee of safety this close to volcanic activity.
Much in the story depends on reading the Allegro's chart correctly. When you're still onboard with Vivaldi and the crew, choosing to sail a certain direction ushers you to safety on tropical Carina Island; another direction takes you into a life-threatening squall. A third option strands you and Pete Karn, son of the Allegro's skipper, on a raft while the rest of the crew sinks with the sloop. The two of you suffer sunburn, dehydration, and starvation, but you might come upon a ship called the Serena aground on a reef, which offers scant supplies and protection from the elements. Should you stay on the ship despite not seeing any sign of humans, or take your raft out again? Remaining with the Serena, you spot a vessel passing miles away, but can't get its attention. Should you light the Serena on fire to catch the eye of whoever is captaining the vessel? With supplies dwindling, you have to know which risks are lunacy...and which are your only shot at survival.
There are better early Choose Your Own Adventures by Edward Packard. I group Survival at Sea with Your Code Name Is Jonah and The Third Planet from Altair, books that don't expand on the premise in novel ways. Survival literature can be captivating, but this book is too shallow for that. Some elements—including the name of your sloop and a character called Vivaldi—return in a much later Packard Choose Your Own Adventure, Typhoon!, but that one is better. I might only rate Survival at Sea one and a half stars; after the excellence of the author’s The Cave of Time, Deadwood City, and The Forbidden Castle, this one is more disappointment than not.
December 29, 2018
...a good fast fun read on a hot day, when taking out a sail boat would be sweet heaven. I read this Choose Your Own Adventure edition to my science class late in the school year and they loved it!
July 5, 2020
La serie de Elige tu propia aventura es, literalmente, un clásico de nuestra infancia. He releído algunos, años después, y me parecen un poco cortos de miras, limitados en las posibilidades, pero cuando tenía 10 años cada uno de ellos era una maravilla lista para ser explorada hasta que hubiera dado todo lo que tenía dentro.
Al final siempre sabías que ibas a recorrer todos y cada uno de los caminos posibles. La emoción estaba, por tanto, en ganar y pasarte la historia al primer intento. Si no podías, pues nada, seguro que en el intento 18 acababas encontrando el camino. A veces los autores iban "a pillar", poniéndote los resultados buenos detrás de decisiones que eran claramente anómalas.
Recuerdo haber aprendido tanto palabras como hechos y datos en estos libros. No nadar contra la corriente cuando quieres llegar a tierra, dónde colocarse cuando un avión va a despegar, un montón de cosas interesantes y un montón de historias vividas, decenas por cada libro, que convirtieron a las serie en una colección fractal, donde cada vez podías elegir un libro nuevo entre los que ya tenías.
Llegué hasta el tomo 54 y dejé de tener interés por la serie, pero la serie siguió hasta superar los 180 títulos. Tal vez mis hijos quieran seguir el camino que yo empecé. Si quieres que lo sigan, pasa a la página 7.
Al final siempre sabías que ibas a recorrer todos y cada uno de los caminos posibles. La emoción estaba, por tanto, en ganar y pasarte la historia al primer intento. Si no podías, pues nada, seguro que en el intento 18 acababas encontrando el camino. A veces los autores iban "a pillar", poniéndote los resultados buenos detrás de decisiones que eran claramente anómalas.
Recuerdo haber aprendido tanto palabras como hechos y datos en estos libros. No nadar contra la corriente cuando quieres llegar a tierra, dónde colocarse cuando un avión va a despegar, un montón de cosas interesantes y un montón de historias vividas, decenas por cada libro, que convirtieron a las serie en una colección fractal, donde cada vez podías elegir un libro nuevo entre los que ya tenías.
Llegué hasta el tomo 54 y dejé de tener interés por la serie, pero la serie siguió hasta superar los 180 títulos. Tal vez mis hijos quieran seguir el camino que yo empecé. Si quieres que lo sigan, pasa a la página 7.
July 7, 2020
Book 16 from the famous Choose Your Own Adventure series. I read this one with my son and we had a lot of fun making choices and inevitably dying from said bad choices. This was a quick but fun read, and I thought, for all that most the passages were short the writing was pretty decent and detailed. Enjoyable!
July 7, 2012
Survival at Sea is the 16th Choose Your Own Adventure book and is written by Edward Packard. It has Dr. Nera Vivaldi from CYOA #7: The Third Planet from Altair/Message from Space (depending on the book edition) in it. This book is unique in the series in that it focuses quite a bit on the illustrations by series regular Paul Granger. There are nine double page spreads of a drawing with little words and three double page spreads with no words at all. Yet surprisingly it didn't make this 118 page book seem to read any briefer than the typical CYOA book. The book is also laid out well so you're not flipping around unnecessarily.
The basic plot follows you and a small crew in search of a species of dinosaur thought to still be living in an area of the Pacific Ocean. However this trip meets with an unexpected detour when a volcano erupts on your sea route forming a new island as well as a nasty tidal wave.
Some of the decisions you'll have to make are:
How should you steer/angle the boat as the tidal wave hits?
Should you join a madman as he tries to claim a newly formed volcanic island as his kingdom, Maikoland?
Is it wise to lasso a sea monster and use it as a tugboat?
Should you burn the wrecked boat you've sought refuge in to attract the attention of a passing ship?
There's also a diagram with a few ship terms at the beginning and a map on one of the pages that can be used in two separate choices when plotting your course. This book felt a little darker in theme (one of your choices can result in the death of your crewmates) in a way that fit the story. The art isn't anything you'll find on the Sistine Chapel but it has a very dynamic feel to it. To fit the darker theme I noticed the artist did heavier shading in a lot of his drawing than he normally does. Overall this was a fun little book to read.
A few other things I noticed: The pages with large drawings on them are often missing page numbers and as a result I ended up skipping a choice and taking another path without realizing it until later. The only continuity flaw I really noticed was on one path a storm is supposedly about to hit but on the other path it never comes (though a suitably creepy ending replaces it). My first read-thru resulted in a happy ending but it felt underwhelming. For the most part though the endings are well done (even the more open-ended ones). The drawing of a great white (notably the only shark you encounter in the book) looks like a flying fish. Some jerk named Jason Lucus shows up in one path to either bribe you into signing your claim to an island away or to throw you off his boat. You never hear of him anywhere else in the book and, other than a crew member mentioning he's scared of "them", no explanation is given. But man, what a dick.
The basic plot follows you and a small crew in search of a species of dinosaur thought to still be living in an area of the Pacific Ocean. However this trip meets with an unexpected detour when a volcano erupts on your sea route forming a new island as well as a nasty tidal wave.
Some of the decisions you'll have to make are:
How should you steer/angle the boat as the tidal wave hits?
Should you join a madman as he tries to claim a newly formed volcanic island as his kingdom, Maikoland?
Is it wise to lasso a sea monster and use it as a tugboat?
Should you burn the wrecked boat you've sought refuge in to attract the attention of a passing ship?
There's also a diagram with a few ship terms at the beginning and a map on one of the pages that can be used in two separate choices when plotting your course. This book felt a little darker in theme (one of your choices can result in the death of your crewmates) in a way that fit the story. The art isn't anything you'll find on the Sistine Chapel but it has a very dynamic feel to it. To fit the darker theme I noticed the artist did heavier shading in a lot of his drawing than he normally does. Overall this was a fun little book to read.
A few other things I noticed: The pages with large drawings on them are often missing page numbers and as a result I ended up skipping a choice and taking another path without realizing it until later. The only continuity flaw I really noticed was on one path a storm is supposedly about to hit but on the other path it never comes (though a suitably creepy ending replaces it). My first read-thru resulted in a happy ending but it felt underwhelming. For the most part though the endings are well done (even the more open-ended ones). The drawing of a great white (notably the only shark you encounter in the book) looks like a flying fish. Some jerk named Jason Lucus shows up in one path to either bribe you into signing your claim to an island away or to throw you off his boat. You never hear of him anywhere else in the book and, other than a crew member mentioning he's scared of "them", no explanation is given. But man, what a dick.
January 23, 2019
Most CYOA books follow a particular theme of starting off with an idea rooted in real-life potential, and then spiral out of control in a number of over-the-top fantastic scenarios. Survival at Sea feels like the opposite of those previous books.
Instead, it begins with you and your crew-mates setting out in a yacht to find an elusive rare ocean-based dinosaur (so not wasting any time with the over-the-top fantastic stuff) and instead spirals into a number of scenarios that could easily be based on real life.
The dinosaur does make an appearance in one of the branching paths but is otherwise just a wild goose to be chased to instead lead you into a number of various survival situations. At some point you'll generally end up wrecked, in a rubber life raft or trying to sail in a small skiff, having been separated from other members of the crew.
Trust Edward Packard to find something neat to add to one of his books too, with a small nautical map/chart included on one of the pages of the book. This chart actually becomes something you'll refer to from time to time in order to decide which direction to steer the main yacht, and if you make poor decisions based on your heading you may end up wrecking the boat, getting lost in the ocean or leading your crew straight into the storm of the century.
This book can split off into a number of different types of subplots too. You can search for a dinosaur, take part in the land grab of a new island, perform negotiations with rich people wanting ownership of said land, get blown up by a Volcano, become stranded on a reef, set fire to a fishing boat and more!
I had some fun reading this book, and it has some really nice illustrations.
Instead, it begins with you and your crew-mates setting out in a yacht to find an elusive rare ocean-based dinosaur (so not wasting any time with the over-the-top fantastic stuff) and instead spirals into a number of scenarios that could easily be based on real life.
The dinosaur does make an appearance in one of the branching paths but is otherwise just a wild goose to be chased to instead lead you into a number of various survival situations. At some point you'll generally end up wrecked, in a rubber life raft or trying to sail in a small skiff, having been separated from other members of the crew.
Trust Edward Packard to find something neat to add to one of his books too, with a small nautical map/chart included on one of the pages of the book. This chart actually becomes something you'll refer to from time to time in order to decide which direction to steer the main yacht, and if you make poor decisions based on your heading you may end up wrecking the boat, getting lost in the ocean or leading your crew straight into the storm of the century.
This book can split off into a number of different types of subplots too. You can search for a dinosaur, take part in the land grab of a new island, perform negotiations with rich people wanting ownership of said land, get blown up by a Volcano, become stranded on a reef, set fire to a fishing boat and more!
I had some fun reading this book, and it has some really nice illustrations.
December 3, 2024
Honestly it feels actually really accurate. Like not the dinosaur stuff obviously but some of the sailing bits are really accurate. (Getting hit in the head by the boom for example; this is real sailing)
But besides that it’s surprisingly full of cute illustrations. And it’s not great literature and the choices seem really obvious but it’s a fun little book.
But besides that it’s surprisingly full of cute illustrations. And it’s not great literature and the choices seem really obvious but it’s a fun little book.
January 10, 2019
It was a great book and once again my adventure ended soon. I live these kinds of books and I would definitely recommend these books to other people.
March 31, 2020
This book was great. Not only do you get a chance to lasso an Arkasaur and go for a ride, but there’s also an interactive map to refer to along the way!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2020
Gran lectura de playa
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June 10, 2023I was awarded this book for winning a primary school class spelling bee in 1983. That was a big deal to me, as I didn’t win anything else at school!
December 14, 2023
En realidad es 4.5☆
February 1, 2024
Libro gioco per ragazzi avventuroso e accattivante, ma anche con filoni poco vari. Il pretesto iniziale non viene affrontato a dovere. La lettura è, comunque, piacevole.
June 18, 2025
Es la primera vez que consigo un buen final a la primera.
August 4, 2025
I received this one to complete my set of original 16 cyoa books as a kid in my stocking Christmas morning 1983 at the glorious age of 9. it's funny the things you remember.
June 2, 2026
Got eaten by a shark in my first ending. 😆
June 16, 2025
P27
The choices of direction (n e s w) are pointless and require no thought or stakes in the decisionmaking
The choices of direction (n e s w) are pointless and require no thought or stakes in the decisionmaking
October 11, 2012
Se avessi saputo dell'esistenza di questi librini quando ero (decisamente) più piccola me ne sarei innamorata e sono sicura che avrei desiderato averli tutti :DD!!
In realtà la narrazione lascia abbastanza a desiderare, i personaggi non sono quasi per niente tratteggiati, le descrizioni sommarie...però l'idea è carina e secondo me può servire per avvicinare i giovani alla lettura, che diventa quindi un gioco più che un impegno ;)!
I finali possibili sono molti - in base a ciò che il lettore sceglie man mano - e quindi il divertimento è assicurato; nella mia mente ronzavano frasi del tipo:
A che pagina era che si poteva scegliere? Aspetta..mi sembra, sì, è a pag. 12 dove devo decidere la destinazione; quindi cambio e adesso vado a Nord-Ovest anziché a Sud!!
e cose di questo genere :D!!
Insomma, una simpatica lettura per giovani, da leggere senza pretesa alcuna e con l'unico scopo di una sana ora di distrazione ;)!
Dimenticavo: ne leggerò altri della serie :P! Voglio divertirmi :D!
In realtà la narrazione lascia abbastanza a desiderare, i personaggi non sono quasi per niente tratteggiati, le descrizioni sommarie...però l'idea è carina e secondo me può servire per avvicinare i giovani alla lettura, che diventa quindi un gioco più che un impegno ;)!
I finali possibili sono molti - in base a ciò che il lettore sceglie man mano - e quindi il divertimento è assicurato; nella mia mente ronzavano frasi del tipo:
A che pagina era che si poteva scegliere? Aspetta..mi sembra, sì, è a pag. 12 dove devo decidere la destinazione; quindi cambio e adesso vado a Nord-Ovest anziché a Sud!!
e cose di questo genere :D!!
Insomma, una simpatica lettura per giovani, da leggere senza pretesa alcuna e con l'unico scopo di una sana ora di distrazione ;)!
Dimenticavo: ne leggerò altri della serie :P! Voglio divertirmi :D!
April 14, 2015
Mi ejemplar se titula "¡Naufragio!", pero en algunos sitios aparece como "Supervivencia en el mar". Me ha parecido uno de los mejores títulos de la colección: una premisa con un objetivo claro (una expedición marina para buscar un animal legendario), decisiones en general bastante lógicas, una presencia enorme de ilustraciones (muy buenas), buena coherencia interna...
Tiene además un detalle bastante especial. Hay una carta de navegación que deberemos usar de referencia para fijar el rumbo del barco y los capítulos reflejan bien la dirección que tomamos (llegamos a las localizaciones que figuran en ella).
El autor, Edward Packard, sacaba lo mejor de la serie cuando estaba en buena forma y este es de sus mejores libros. Siempre teniendo en cuenta que se trata de una narración sencilla destinada a un público entre 9 y 12 años (más 9 que 12, diría yo, pero bueno), es de los libros que probablemente mas les guste.
Tiene además un detalle bastante especial. Hay una carta de navegación que deberemos usar de referencia para fijar el rumbo del barco y los capítulos reflejan bien la dirección que tomamos (llegamos a las localizaciones que figuran en ella).
El autor, Edward Packard, sacaba lo mejor de la serie cuando estaba en buena forma y este es de sus mejores libros. Siempre teniendo en cuenta que se trata de una narración sencilla destinada a un público entre 9 y 12 años (más 9 que 12, diría yo, pero bueno), es de los libros que probablemente mas les guste.
December 10, 2015
Aquí eres parte de la tripulación del Allegro, en busca de un dinosaurio que aún vive en las profundidades del Pacífico: El Arcasaurio..pero vuestra embarcación va a la deriva y eres un naufrago en medio del océano...¿ y ahora que harás?
Como puede verse, la primera ‘decisión’ que debes tomar en la historia no importa, ya que tu objetivo principal es sobrevivir y tomar tierra firme o contacto con personas para tu rescate; ¡hay que perderse para comenzar la aventura real!, sin quitar como tema secundario que puedas hallar el famoso dinosaurio.
Típica obra efectiva, ágil, entretenida y de recurrente lectura de Packard. Eso sí, no busquéis la coherencia de Montgomerry en estructura y desarrollo, aunque algunas decisiones deparan en causas lógicas, todo hay que decirlo.
Un libro muy correcto. Una versión más ligera y floja de ‘ Supervivencia en la montaña’ del mismo autor.
Como puede verse, la primera ‘decisión’ que debes tomar en la historia no importa, ya que tu objetivo principal es sobrevivir y tomar tierra firme o contacto con personas para tu rescate; ¡hay que perderse para comenzar la aventura real!, sin quitar como tema secundario que puedas hallar el famoso dinosaurio.
Típica obra efectiva, ágil, entretenida y de recurrente lectura de Packard. Eso sí, no busquéis la coherencia de Montgomerry en estructura y desarrollo, aunque algunas decisiones deparan en causas lógicas, todo hay que decirlo.
Un libro muy correcto. Una versión más ligera y floja de ‘ Supervivencia en la montaña’ del mismo autor.
May 3, 2010
It's a toss-up between this, The Cave of Time, and Inside UFO 54-40, but I believe this one was my favorite CYOA book of all time, mostly because of the map that was included at the front. You had to make some decisions based on where you thought you were and how you were going to navigate around - and I just love maps.
November 20, 2016
No es que el libro esté mal, sino que Edward Packard, su escritor, ha cogido todas las situaciones de supervivencia, y ha escrito un libro de cada una, con el mismo estilo, misma ausencia de personalización del personaje aunque, eso si, un abanico muy amplio de opciones y finales a recorrer muy bien descritos.
¿La pega? Pues que es más de lo mismo. Mucha aventura (y buena) pero poca historia.
Os recomiendo de entre sus libros de supervivencia escoger el de la situación que más os motive y olvidaros del resto, pues la experiencia será casi idéntica.
¿La pega? Pues que es más de lo mismo. Mucha aventura (y buena) pero poca historia.
Os recomiendo de entre sus libros de supervivencia escoger el de la situación que más os motive y olvidaros del resto, pues la experiencia será casi idéntica.
May 28, 2015
This one creeped me the heck out as a kid, because - although I loved the Choose Your Own Adventure books, drowning was a huge fear for me. I think I read it twice. Then I put it back in the library and never went to it again. Probably because I drowned. ;)
January 19, 2012
mystery
1
1
July 9, 2013
the adventures that I went through when I was bored I just read these books over and over again you would never get to the end of the story.
September 29, 2015
I loved the choose your-own-adventure books during my early years, and believe these are a great set of books for those who are new to reading their own books.
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December 5, 2018This book is about a shipwreck at sea. It’s a really good book to read. You will have a lot of fun reading this book because you can choose what happens next. I su
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews