Seamester

This was the most life changing experience ever. I did the 40 days of their trip from Fiji->Palau and I learned the most amazing things and made lifelong friends.
Personally, I have so much fun learning new things and the whole experience for me was new and exciting. I learnt how to sail and gained 3 sailing related certifications, I also learned how to scuba dive and got my advanced open water, and lastly I got my EFR certification.
The staff was all very supportive and fun to be around. I felt like I could have a genuine conversation with every one of them. Also doing a program like this you are bound to find people who like the same stuff as you because who is really signing up to sail if they don’t want to.

This experience gave me so much more than I could ask for. It exceeded my expectations. I loved learning to live on a boat, sail, dive, and have adventures out on land. The best thing I got from this is a wonderful group of people. I made so many connections with my shipmates and I’ll forever be grateful. I made so many wonderful memories and I have so many favorites. One of which is learning that we were allowed to sleep outside when on anchor and we all found our sleep spots. Another is just being around the group during mealtimes and sharing stories and jokes and having the best laughs.

My Seamester experience was truly one of the most unforgettable and life changing opportunities I’ve ever had. Over 20 days, I gained hands-on sailing and scuba certifications, explored incredible places, and built lifelong friendships while growing in confidence, teamwork, and independence. I would recommend Seamester to anyone looking for an adventure that challenges you, teaches valuable skills, and creates memories that last a lifetime.

From the moment I stepped aboard, every day brought a new opportunity to learn something different. Whether we were raising sails, navigating between islands, completing dive training, or working together to keep the boat running smoothly, I was constantly challenged in the best way possible. The hands on learning environment made every lesson meaningful because I was immediately able to apply what I had learned in real world situations.

Beyond the certifications and technical skills, Seamester helped me grow as a person. Living in close quarters with a group of people from different backgrounds taught me the importance of communication, adaptability, and teamwork. We quickly became a family, supporting one another through challenges and celebrating every accomplishment together. Some of my favorite memories came from the little moments like watching sunsets from the deck, laughing during meals, exploring beautiful islands, and diving in crystal clear water surrounded by incredible marine life. We developed a multitude of inside jokes that I will forever remember and continue to use as a way of always carrying my Ocean Star family with me.

I finished the program with new skills, greater confidence, lifelong friendships, and memories that I know I’ll carry with me for years to come. Seamester exceeded every expectation I had, and I cannot recommend the experience highly enough to anyone looking for an adventure that combines education, personal growth, and unforgettable experiences.

My experience on Sea|Mester this past semester was one of the craziest and most incredible experiences of my life. I boarded Vela with no expectations I had never done anything like this before and had never even been on a sailboat. From day one, though, it was an amazing experience. One of the best parts is meeting people from all over the world and making friendships that will last a lifetime. You learn to sail in the most hands on way possible. Before this program, I had absolutely no sailing experience, but I completely fell in love with it. You also get to visit remote and beautiful places that most people will never have the opportunity to see otherwise. Every day brought a new adventure, whether it was sailing, exploring a new island, or working together with the crew. If you're thinking about doing Sea|Mester, my advice is simple: Do it. Go in with an open mind, be willing to learn, adapt, and step outside your comfort zone. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Sea|mester was the perfect adventure for my gap year as a student with a passion for sailing and the ocean. You get to live the dream adventure lifestyle for three months, with non-stop activity and work that always keeps you busy. Somehow the experience was cleansing for me, lifting years of stress off my shoulders and allowing me to grow my confidence and self-esteem significantly through friendships and mentorship. I will never forget the dream I got to live aboard Argo, and the great friends and experiences I now get to keep with me for the rest of my life!