Seamester: Virgin Islands to Antigua - 20 Days

Seamester: Virgin Islands to Antigua - 20 Days

Location
Multiple Locations +3
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Antigua and Barbuda
Term
Summer
Subject Areas
Communications Environmental Studies Marine Biology Oceanography

Program Details

Program Type
At Sea
Degree Level
Bachelors
Housing
Boat
Language
English

Pricing

$7,670
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 three 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 Classes Meals
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 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
Jul 17, 2026
42 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

This 20-day Sea|mester voyage sails from the Virgin Islands to Antigua and turns the Caribbean into your classroom.

You learn the basics of seamanship through watch rotations, sail handling, docking and anchoring practice, and clear communication with your crew. Shore days add context as you explore Saba, St. Eustatius, Nevis, St. Barts, and Antigua, comparing island histories, geologies, and coastal cultures. In the water, you develop scuba diving skills, practicing buoyancy and reef awareness with opportunities for entry-level PADI training or continued diving based on experience.

Coastal navigation, weather checks, and daily log keeping link what you see on deck to skills you can name on a resume. By the end, you earn three college credits, build confidence, and leave with a crew that knows how you contribute at sea.

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This program offers a unique, hands-on sailing and diving adventure that fosters strong friendships and personal growth.

Program Highlights

  • 🏝️ Explore Saba, Statia, Nevis, St Barts, and Antigua
  • ⛵ Learn core seamanship through daily watch and sail practice
  • 🧭 Build coastal navigation, anchoring, and piloting skills
  • 🤿 Earn PADI scuba diving certifications
  • 🎓 Earn 3 transferable college credits from the University of South Florida

Where in the world are the Sea|mester vessels?

Video and Photos

Program Dates

Application Deadline
Program Dates
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Program Reviews

4.96 Rating
based on 25 reviews
  • 5 rating 96%
  • 4 rating 4%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.35
  • Support 5
  • Fun 4.7
  • Housing 4.8
  • Safety 4.9
  • Housing 4.9
  • Support 5
  • Fun 4.95
  • Value 5
  • Safety 4.95
Showing 1 - 8 of 25 reviews
Julia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Stepping outside my comfort zone

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.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The most nerve-racking moment was stepping onto the boat not knowing anyone. But everyone felt the same and sitting around learning everyone’s names and where they’re from made it so much easier to be in the moment and not feel nervous.
Pros
  • Meeting so many friends
  • Getting amazing experience
  • Stepping outside my comfort zone
Cons
  • Leaving at the end
  • Seasickness
4 people found this review helpful.
Vivian
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

New Found Friends and Passions

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.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
As our captain said, you must be comfortable with uncertainty! Sometimes, not everything is planned out and that is ok. Be spontaneous and adventurous!
Pros
  • Lifelong friendships
  • Valuable certifications
  • Caring and knowledgeable crew members
Cons
  • Limited personal space
  • Sea sickness
  • You’ll wish it were longer!
6 people found this review helpful.
Lucia
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A once in a lifetime experience

Seamester was such an incredible experience in so many ways. From breathing underwater for the first time to being fully under sail, I really fell in love with boat life. 20 days is a short amount of time for all of the plans packed in to the schedule; so if I were to do it again I would pick a longer trip because it takes a second to get into the groove of living on a boat. One of the greatest part of the trip is meeting your great crew mates. Since we are spending almost every second with these people you tend to get pretty close, which is really fun, overall it was definitely an experience to remember

Pros
  • Surrounded by beautiful ocean
  • Able to learn how to dive
  • Learn more about boats
Cons
  • Not many opportunities for fresh water showers
  • Sometimes it felt really rushed
  • Wish we sailed more
166 people found this review helpful.
Aidan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Trip of a Lifetime

Seamester has provided me with the best 3 weeks of my life! From the moment I stepped aboard I knew I had gained a new family. Together we sailed, dove, explored, sang, danced, and learned. This experience is unlike any other and is sure to leave you desperate for more. The places you go are incredible, but the people you meet and the things you learn are the most spectacular parts of the program. I promise you won't regret it! The most important thing I learned is that you have to trust yourself and the others around you. If you don't put yourself out there you never know what life could amount to. Take the leap of faith!

Pros
  • Learn to Sail
  • Learn to Dive
  • Make 15 New Best Friends
Cons
  • Sorry there are none
365 people found this review helpful.
Skylar
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Adventure!

It was a really great program and I got to have so many new amazing experiences and everyone got along so well. I definitely think you have to be a specific type of person to go on this trip, you have to be very adaptable and open to new sometimes nerve racking experiences. The staff of the ocean star were amazing leaders, super interested in helping us and teaching all the new skills while also joining in on our shenanigans from time to time :) I will miss them all very much!! I think the friendships made were the most valuable aspect, everyone was so supportive and protective of one another and got along so incredibly well, we all loved each other a lot after only 20 days.

Pros
  • New experiences
  • Trained staff
  • Amazing environment
Cons
  • Seasickness
371 people found this review helpful.
Christina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Greatest Experience of My Life!

This experience was one of the most amazing things I have ever done. I wish that everyone would have the opportunity to do something like this, because it not only sparked my interest in pursuing a career at sea but it also gave me a sense of being able to face anything coming my way with confidence. The staff on my trip were amazing and made me feel safe and cared for. The friends I made on this trip are now some of my closest. Overall, this experience pushed me out of my comfort zone and I feel so much stronger and well prepared for all that life can throw my way!

Pros
  • Hands-on learning
  • Places I would have never thought to go
  • Meet amazing people
385 people found this review helpful.
Davis
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

If you have the chance, take it!

If you have the chance to go aboard with Sea|Mester, take it! I promise you won’t regret it. Yes, you may be worried since the whole idea of sailing is new and you won’t know anyone going into it, but I promise it will be the best experience of your life. Hands down, Sea|Mester is probably the best thing I have ever done. Learning to sail was a blast. I saw so many cool things scuba diving. Exploring the beautiful islands was incredible. The staff were amazing. I made friends of a lifetime. Like I said, if you have the chance, take it! You wont regret it. I wish I could do this experience over again. Almost made me want to switch from being a doctor to working as staff on one of the boats. That’s how awesome it was!

Pros
  • Scuba Diving
  • Exploring Islands
  • So many new lifelong friends
Cons
  • Not being able to stay on the boat forever
377 people found this review helpful.
Kelsey
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Sea|Mester Virgin Islands to Antigua 20-Day 2021

Sea|Mester is an experience of a lifetime. I would do it 100+ times over. It was through this program that I discovered my passion. I cannot thank Sea|Mester enough for that. The staff on and off-board are beyond incredible. Each and everyone of the staff members invested all of their time into the students. I looked up to and still continue to look up to the staff on my voyage, Smash, Ash, Sam, and Marley. Their joyfulness, eagerness to teach, and down to earth personalities made Ocean Star home. If anybody is questioning signing up for a voyage, do it!!!! Do it, do it, do it. You'll create personal and professional connections, expand your mind, think in a different way, challenge yourself, and most importantly, grow.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Pack light! You'll be able to wash your clothes and honestly, it's so fun and relaxing especially in the evening during downtime. Take in every moment and jump in. If you fall asleep on deck during night sailing, you'll wake up to the most gorgeous view above you. If you're in the galley while underway, take the medicine. Make the cookies. Have a dance party while cleaning. Dive right into the water as soon as you wake up. Make the most out of every single moment and keep those friends you meet close.
419 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers