Program Reviews

In my final semester at USF I was required to take an international trip with classwork for at least 2 weeks. This 20 day sailing adventure from the BVI to Antigua and back was the perfect fit! My next step in schooling was a PhD in marine geology at the University of Miami, so having the ability to dive in this wide variety of locations was truly eye opening. In addition to the extensive dive training, learning how to properly sail was an amazing experience. As a kiteboarder, I have always loved the wind and water, but have never made any large passages at sea by sailing vessel. This allowed me to do that, and learn how to sail these complex tall ships. The food was great, from cooking together in teams in the ships galley, to going out in foreign countries for dinner, this is a great experience that you want to sign up for! The friends you make will be remembered forever!

Once I landed in Tortola, carried my duffel bag down the marina to Fire Bolt and Ocean Star, I knew I was in for an incredible 20 day voyage. An experience like no other, engages me and the fellow college students to step outside the confines of their standard classroom and live aboard a boat in the middle of the ocean. The lessons I learned were life changing because I was never exposed to diving with a regulator or understanding points of sail. When I jumped in the salty water, covered many nautical miles, watched the anchor at various late hours of the night, and made a second family with the staff and other students aboard, I could feel a new door open with joy and excitement. This was a new chapter in my life and I loved being at sea with people I now call my good friends!

There’s honestly no words that would sum up my experience: From sliding down natural water slides in Fiji to watching the sunrise with kangaroos on the beach in Australia to being able to celebrate Independence Day in Vanuatu. One thing for sure no day was the same! One time in middle of a passage we were able to jump off the boat with no land in sight being it was beyond calm that day and moments like those truly makes you appreciate life while you feel at peace. It’s amazing how close you become to the other people, even the staff was amazing at making our experience unforgettable. I miss the days where you could just hope off a boat and be in a new place and get to explore it, so I ended up doing another trip with them the next summer!

By faaarrr, the best experiences of my life. Every Seamester I’ve been on, I could relive them 100 times over. Every staff and student have been incredible. The relationships and friends I’ve formed through these adventures will stay with me for the rest of my life. I couldn’t urge and encourage more strongly whoever reads this, Seamester is an experience everyone must go through! I’m in love with this program. Everyone involved is a rockstar. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable and experienced. I’ve been on several Seamester’s and every one, though different, every one has been exceptional! I’ve made life long friends that I still talk to and we still see each other! Seamester takes you to places you’d never dream of going! It’ll change your life, and for soo much better!

This trip completely changed my life. I was So nervous going into it but within the first 2 days I knew I had Already made lifelong friends. the staff did a great job of making me feel comfortable onboard, helping us constantly, and even making us feel like friends and comrades rather than just being our instructors. Living on board was also an experience in itself. Overnight sails were my absolute favorite, getting to see the sunset and seeing all the stars was amazing. Between going on dives, going ashore for hikes or even horseback riding, it was an amazing experience. If you get the opportunity to go, do it. You will not regret it. I made memories and friends I will have for the rest of my life. I am So thankful I got The opportunity to go on an expedition with SeaMester

This program is beyond words. It's hard to believe how much we fit into just 90 days. I felt like we had plenty of time to explore each port, and fully take advantage of our time on land. What I really enjoyed most was growing as a team and as a family on board and getting accustomed to being part of the crew. You'll find that you'll learn just as much from your fellow shipmates as you would in the classes on board. It's one thing to learn from a lecture, but with these hands on exercises and field trips it makes the experience incredibly immersive and rewarding. I can't recommend this program enough if you enjoy the ocean, sailing, traveling, and making lasting relationships with your shipmates. 90 days seems like a long time, but by the end of our voyage I didn't want it to end. As a result of this voyage I am continuing my education in the maritime industry and am pursuing a career working on the ocean.

About two years ago I embarked on S/Y Argo for this voyage and still think about think about my three months aboard daily. Specifically I go back to about the unique way you are able to explore some of the most incredible places, and the tight-knit, family-like community you have while aboard. When I chose Seamester I had a feeling I would experience something totally new and unique, and I figured I would get to explore some incredible places. Those two expectations were met and exceeded, however I couldn't have guessed that I would gain 30 lifelong friendships or that I would learn so much, not only about the ocean, the earth and navigation. But also cooking, leadership, myself, and what it means to truly be happy. If you make the decision to take part in a Seamester program not only will it be the best adventure you could imagine, but it will also leave a lifelong impact.

I can not even begin to explain how incredible my summer on Argo was sailing from Tahiti to Australia. Every day was different and exciting. I initially went on this trip to spend the summer sailing and diving. I did not anticipate that I would meet my best friends as well. From scuba diving, sailing, hiking to waterfalls, exploring so many new islands, the classes, and spending virtually every minute outside, I learned more than I can ever put into words. This experience pushes you as well. From all the midnight watches, cooking, and keeping Argo in tip top shape, I learned so much about myself as well as the world around me. If I could go on this trip again I would!! I am so grateful to Seamester for giving me the best experience of my life.

I grew up in Colorado... but have always had a passion for the ocean and sailing. So when I found Sea|Mester and learned that I could combine my passions plus leave the cold I was so excited. I attended Sea|Mester as a senior in high school, which is pretty young for there programs. They worked with me with how I was going to attend the program and graduate high school. which was super accommodating. It was also the first experience I had taking college-level classes. the staff where all super supportive and helpful with helping me get up to college-level academics; from how to study properly to writing research papers at the college level. Outside of the classroom, no day was the same the experiences I had I would not trade for anything.

I was fortunate enough to sail on Argo for 80 days from Tahiti to Australia in the summer of 2017. It was an incredible experience is so many ways. We got to see and explore amazing islands in the pacific, we got SCUBA certified in some of the most beautiful dive spots in the world, and we sailed almost 5,000 nautical miles. There are definitely challenges associated with living in close quarters and just being on a ship, but for anyone looking to push themselves outside their comfort zone, those “challenges” will probably become the things you miss most about the trip. Also the crew were fantastic. Incredibly knowledgeable and helpful despite some occasionally very challenging teaching conditions. If you know you want to go abroad on the water, and are particularly interested in doing as much sailing, and diving as possible, Seamester is the way to go.