Location
Multiple Locations +7
  • Tahiti
  • Guadeloupe
  • Ecuador
    • Galapagos
  • Dominica
  • Bonaire
  • Colombia
  • Antigua and Barbuda

Program Details

Activities
Sailing Scuba Diving Sightseeing
Timeframe
Spring Winter
Housing
Boat
Primary Language
English
Age Min.
17
Age Max
24

Pricing

Starting Price
29770
Price Details
Destinations: British Virgin Islands, Antigua, Saba, Nevis, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia, Bonaire, Curacao, Aruba, San Blas Islands, Panama, Galapagos, Easter Island, Marquesas, French Polynesia

12 academic credits from the University of South Florida

International Yachtmaster Training (IYT): International Crew Certificate, Navigation
Master and Master of Yachts 200 Ton Theory (course based on experience)

PADI Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue or Divemaster Certification

Over 6500 nautical miles
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Equipment Meals
What's Not Included
Airfare
Oct 28, 2023
Mar 13, 2024
30 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Sign aboard for this incredible Sea-mester voyage and sail to Bonaire and wake to flocks of Venezuelan flamingos flying through a misty sunrise. Anchor behind tiny uninhabited islands covered with coconut trees that support the Kuna Indians of the San Blas. Toss the dock lines up to the lock workers of the Panama Canal, cross the lake and prepare to enter the Pacific Ocean. Watch the latitude hesitate on zero as we cross the equator. See blue-footed booby birds hitching a ride on deck back to the Galapagos Archipelago.

Linger no more as every day of the next 20 will be spent at sea until we make landfall in the Polynesian Islands of the Marquesas, the place where Paul Gauguin found his inspiration and love. You too will love arriving in Tahiti in the Society Islands, but, after all, that's just a place to secure your Sea|mester schooner. You will have secured a lifetime of memories along the way.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Learn to Scuba Dive In The Worlds Most Exotic Locations
  • Learn To Sail
  • Earn 12 College Credits
  • Visit Up To Eight Different Countries

Scholarships

Seamester Scholarships

Seamester Scholarships & Financial Aid

Sea|mester offers scholarships, financial aid, and tuition assistance to applicants who show great potential to succeed and grow from our unique experience yet would otherwise be only able to attend with financial assistance.

The total amount of funds available for any given semester varies. There is no scholarship application fee, and all Sea|mester applicants are eligible to apply.

Value
$500 - $14,000

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 14 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 5
  • Support 5
  • Fun 5
  • Housing 5
  • Safety 5
  • Housing 4.7
  • Support 4.95
  • Fun 5
  • Value 5
  • Safety 4.95
Showing 1 - 8 of 14 reviews
Default avatar
Drake
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best time in my life (so far!)

SeaMester was an absolutely life changing experience, I don't think there would have been a better way to spend three months. The lessons are invaluable, the staff is amazing, the locations are unforgettable. I participated in this program nearly five years ago and the effects are still rippling through my present day. I had did first open water dive aboard SY Argo back in 2019 and just this past year was able to get my PADI DiveMaster. I am currently saving up for a small sailboat of my own to explore and dive in with my friends (probably will have some of my SeaMester pals onboard to crew with me). I'm so excited for the day that I can revisit these wonderful places in my own boat, sailing & diving with the friends I made back during SeaMester. Not only was the trip incredibly fun, it was so informative. I started my semester thinking my girlfriend was silly for not using plastic straws and left that semester absolutely horrified at the state of plastic pollution in our beautiful oceans. SeaMester will open your eyes, teach you lessons, and inspire new passions to last a lifetime. DO IT!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Diving in the Galapagos islands we found ourselves in a swarm of hammerhead sharks. A real life Sharknado!! One of the coolest and most intense moments in my life. I haven't seen many sharks since then but a hope to be surrounded by them once again.
Pros
  • Great instructors
  • Beautiful places
  • Challenging lessons
2 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Gabrielle
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience!

Being a crew mate on STV Vela was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Sometimes I find it hard to search for words to encompass the voyage I had, for it has fundamentally changed who I am. Who knew I could drive a 112-foot sailboat? Who knew I could be a certified rescue scuba diver? I never could have imagined setting foot on an uninhabited island, with a never-ending supply of coconuts. My favorite parts of the trip are as small as discovering my new favorite fruit and as grand as completing a 23-day Pacific Ocean crossing!

Pros
  • Access to diving certifications in unique locations.
  • Energetic staff.
  • Amazing views.
Cons
  • Too short! I never wanted to leave.
20 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Alexia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Dream Come True

I had such a great experience, from enrolling in the program until the very last day of the trip. First, the office staffs. One word: incredible. They are always there for any questions you have and answer very quickly. They follow the whole trip and make sure everything goes smoothly (and if it doesn't - we had a surprise - they work their heart out to make everything possible).
Second, the trip itself. For me, it was a dream coming true. As a student, I wanted to learn how to sail, and Sea|mester being a school abroad experience was the perfect match. I arrived the first day in Antigua with a mix of excitation and anticipation, but when I met a part of the group, I just became more excited for the adventure. It turned out to be a real adventure. Our first overnight passage, the staff helped us rising up the sails and when we turned off the lights, I still remember the awe that went through the group at the sight of the stars. So many, so bright. We started our 4 hours watches - 8 hours off. It was not easy at first and the crew was tired, but in longer passages, we got used to the unusual schedule. While in passages, we had two classes of one hour in the afternoon. Not everybody was focus ;). We did many activities, sometimes going on land, some other times, going diving. We swam with dolphins, turtles, rays, fish, sea lions and so much more. I can tell you that when you learn about manta rays during the trip and you get to swim with one, it's an indescriptible feeling of excitation and awe.
In my trip from Antigua to Tahiti, we crossed through the Panama canal, which was a bit intimidating at first, but was pretty fun after all. Going through the locks with a pilot onboard and seeing the water level rises and drops until the last doors finally open to the Pacific is something I never thought I would be doing. A few night after the canal, we left for the Galapagos and had the chance to see bioluminescent dolphins swimming at the bow with us. It was incredible. Two days after we left Panama, we had to turn around and go back to Panama because our propeller broke. The sailing was great and our newly acquired skills was put to use. We did end up going to the Galapagos and then to Tahiti with a few days delay.
This experience wouldn't have been such a adventure without all the challenges we went through. It wasn't always easy, but every difficulty brought the group closer. We started our trip as strangers to each other and ended up feeling like a family. Vela became our home and when the time came to say goodbyes, we had memories to brought back with us. Not everybody from the crew will go on a boat again, but for some like me, this adventure found its mark. Raising the sails, steering Vela through the waves, listening to the sound of the ocean sometimes under a scorching sun have woken up a new passion and a desire to go back, to feel the wind in the sails and to push my knowledge further.

Pros
  • Travelling around the world
  • Sailing!!!!
  • New experience and meeting new people from around the world
Cons
  • Living in a tight space (if you like intimacy, it will be challenging but you need to embrace the difference of living on a boat)
  • Unregular sleep schedule
22 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Tom
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Truly Life Changing Experience

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.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The most unfamiliar thing I ate was definitely bread fruit in the Marquesas Islands. It tastes better than it sounds.
105 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Carrington
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Best Adventure Imaginable

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.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
While on the most lush, French-Polynesian island some of the crew got to go on the most beautiful waterfall hike. On the way to the waterfall we met a family who had invited us to eat with them at their home. So as we return from the hike we had the opportunity to feast with this kind family. Drinking freshly opened coconuts, eating everything from a roast to breadfruit. Truly a one-of a kind experience
92 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Christian
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Become a Pirate

Live out your dreams of becoming a pirate. Experience the open waters like you never have before. Enjoy a breathtaking and new view every single day. Try to keep track of all the shooting stars you'll see on night watch. Learn all about our oceans and how they work. Seamester is a fantastic program that I wish I knew about sooner. I struggled a bit in the beginning of my voyage due to not being able to scuba dive but I absolutely have no regret doing seamester and still to this day wish it didn't have to end. The people I met and the memories I made will stay with me forever. Time really flies aboard Argo so be sure to try and enjoy every second of it. Take photos and videos to share with friends and family but don't forgot to live in the moment. Who knows when you'll be able to visit some of these beautiful remote places again.

What would you improve about this program?
As much as I loved the spontaneous adventures we went on. I do wish we followed the itinerary more. Still bummed I didn't get to snorkel with penguins in the Galapagos even tho it was the cover photo of our trip. Still 10/10 would do it again.
99 people found this review helpful.
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Default avatar
Hannah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Unforgettable Experience

I am writing this review almost three years after I sailed from the Caribbean to Tahiti on S/Y Argo and I can still say that it was one of the best decisions I made during my undergraduate career. Although I was a pre-med undergrad student, I chose Seamester because it was such a unique experience that allowed me to explore while being an active member of the team. I loved that the students really did become active crew members during the trip and took on important responsibilities. The required courses were great and set a solid foundation for sailing, marine biology, and oceanography. However, I learned so much beyond the courses; I was able to learn about myself and how to work well in groups during stressful situations. Living with 25 people on a 112-foot boat really allows for a strong group bond to form.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Sailing is no joke and should be taken seriously. One night underway, a shackle broke during a storm and the mainsail came tumbling down. We had to work hard to secure the sail during the dark and rainy conditions.
98 people found this review helpful.
Read my full story
Default avatar
Peter
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Study Abroad Program

I came to the program with no expectations because I didn't want to be disappointed. But soon, I realized that even if I had expectations, they would be exceeded with the awesome experiences this study abroad trip as created for me. You will be in rigorous Marine Bio and Oceanography courses; however, they are digestible for non-STEM students like me. You will learn so much about scuba diving and seamanship no matter what level you come in with. You will travel to the most remote places in the world and withness the ways of life that might be so different from yours, but yet feel the strong passion and enthusiasm the locals have for the visitors who come from far places. If you are going on a Sea|mester trip, make sure you bring a couple more long sleeves than you think you might need. Sun protection is important.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
I regret not taking an Astronomy course before, because the program provides the perfect opportunity to read the sky every single night, especially the times you are on watch.
94 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers