Seamester: Gap Year Sail Around the World

Seamester: Gap Year Sail Around the World

Location
Multiple Locations +17
  • Italy
    • Rome
  • France
    • Nice
  • Spain
    • Barcelona
  • South Africa
    • Cape Town
  • Australia
  • Brazil
  • Morocco
  • Indonesia
    • Bali
  • Fiji
  • Mauritius
  • Palau
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Barbados
  • Dominica
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Guadeloupe
  • St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Length
2 - 26 weeks

Program Details

Activities
Boating Canoeing Fishing Hiking Horseback Riding Kayaking Remote Exploring Sailing Scuba Diving Sightseeing Surfing Swimming Trekking Whale Watching
Timeframe
Fall Spring Summer
Housing
Boat
Primary Language
English
Age Min.
17
Age Max
24

Pricing

Starting Price
7670
Price Details
Your tuition covers life onboard from day one: shipboard accommodations, all meals, and every planned academic excursion. It includes daily instruction from professional staff, course materials, and 3-12 transferable credits issued through the University of South Florida. Program fees also cover training equipment and standard certification costs, with opportunities that may include IYT International Crew, Navigation Master, Master of Yachts 200 Ton Theory, and PADI training from Open Water through Divemaster, based on experience. The only major costs not included are travel to and from the vessel and personal spending.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Equipment Meals Park Fees Tour Guide
What's Included (Extra)

Includes staff instruction and supervision, course materials, use of onboard training gear, non-professional IYT and PADI certification fees, transcript processing for 3-12 USF credits, program local transport on excursions, vessel operations, safety gear, and required permits.

What's Not Included
Airfare
What's Not Included (Extra)

Personal spending money.

Jan 19, 2026
Dec 23, 2023
54 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Travel the world, earn college credit, and gain skills that last a lifetime. On Sea|mester voyages, the ocean is your classroom and a working sailing vessel is your campus. From standing watch to navigating by the stars, you’ll learn real-world seamanship while exploring diverse cultures, marine ecosystems, and historic cities.

Life on board fosters enduring friendships with a close-knit crew that feels like family. Beyond academics, you'll walk away from Sea|mester with sailing and dive certifications. Shore excursions complement life at sea, providing context through local history, coastal ecosystems, and cultural experiences. Every voyage challenges you with responsibility, teamwork, and decision-making, building confidence, independence, and a global perspective.

Whether crossing oceans, exploring island chains, or navigating coastal waters, you’ll return with transferable credit, professional certifications, unforgettable experiences, and a network of lifelong friends.

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This program offers immersive hands-on learning in sailing, diving, and marine science, combined with strong community and supportive staff.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • 🎓 Earn 3–12 transferable college credits from the University of South Florida
  • 🤿 Gain up to four PADI scuba certifications, from entry-level to advanced
  • ⚓️ Earn internationally recognized IYT sailing and safety certifications
  • ⛵️ Travel across multiple global regions aboard a modern sailing vessel
  • 💸 Scholarship opportunities available for qualifying students

Popular Programs

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🌎 Virgin Islands to Antigua - 20 & 40 day options
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Student swimming with a whale shark

🌍 South Africa to the Caribbean - 90 days
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Cape Town from above

🌏 Bali to South Africa - 90 days
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🌍 Mediterranean to the Caribbean - 90 days
👉 via France, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Antigua

Program Dates

Application Deadline
Program Dates
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Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 18 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.75
  • Support 5
  • Fun 4.85
  • Housing 5
  • Safety 4.9
  • Housing 4.85
  • Support 5
  • Fun 4.85
  • Value 4.85
  • Safety 5
Showing 17 - 18 of 18 reviews
lydia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

the best!!!!

my trip with seamester was more than i had ever dreamed of -- i mean, living on boat in the caribbean for three months?! so cool. the trip itself was incredible; i loved sailing and diving and grew so much in my knowledge and confidence in both. classes were difficult at times, but always fun. i'm not a science person, but there's definitely no better place to take marine biology or oceanography than on a boat. i loved getting to meet other students and build friendships with people who i wouldn't have ever met without this trip. the friendships i made were so deep and i know i'll value them forever. the staff rocked -- i loved getting to know them and become friends with them. it's not every day that you get to hang out with your teachers (or would even want to), but i loved being with them! going on shore at all the different islands taught me so much about different cultures and i loved being a part of something bigger than myself. i loved using my phone way less than i do at home and getting to focus on other people and other cultures and learning to work as a team. seamester was a life changing experience and i'm so thankful for the opportunity i had!

What would you improve about this program?
a little bit more free time to spending studying -- it was hard to balance school with boat life at times
118 people found this review helpful.
Eduardo Connor
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Off the Grid

I studied abroad in the BVI’s to give myself a break and meet new people to sail and scuba dive with. For 80 days I completely went off the grid and I reflected about what I want to accomplish my senior year of college. This study Abroad gave me that and much more. I went scuba diving got certified in open water and advanced. Also got a chance to sail and travel around the Caribbean learning new things. Classes were made fun and the teachers were great. I made amazing friends and I loved the experience of being away from home and experiencing the ocean.

What would you improve about this program?
Housing was compact.
119 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers