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 17 - 24 of 25 reviews
Laura
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Unforgettable

This experience was truly unique and a once in a lifetime adventure. For future participants: do everything. Jump off the bow. Get creative in the galley, look forward to anchor watch. Eat something you've never had before. Climb a mango tree. This program reaffirmed my love for the ocean and passion for marine conservation. All the interactions with the locals made me see how much I love new experiences, interacting and meeting new people, learning about new cultures. A useful tip: bring as little as possible and keep yourself open to new experiences.

What would you improve about this program?
Keep doing what you're doing!
186 people found this review helpful.
Ashley
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Once in a lifetime

Earlier this summer I went on a 20 day sailing trip from the BVI's down to Antigua, island hopping the whole way. It was such an amazing experience. I made great friends, saw incredible sights, learned how to sail a boat (not something I saw myself doing), and scuba diving. There was a really nice balance between work time and free time. Everyone on the boat was super nice and accommodating. If you are looking for a once in a lifetime way to spend your summer, go with Sea Mester.

176 people found this review helpful.
Anna Lane
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Seamester 20-Day Caribbean Venture

Being a part of the Seamester crew this summer provided me with one of the best experiences I've ever had. Not only did I learn practical sailing and diving skills, but also what it means to be a part of a crew with all different backgrounds and interests. Seamester challenged me to be a better person, as well as taught me how to live in simplicity amongst the most gorgeous sights I've ever seen. There's something different about visiting different countries from the ocean, and Seamester's delivery of this was superb. I made some of my best friends while on my trip, and I am forever thankful for the way they both challenged me and encouraged me. I'd pay triple to do it all over again.

What would you improve about this program?
Make the trip never end!
178 people found this review helpful.
Danielle
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Set Sail for Fun

This is something you will never find anywhere else. The experience you get with SEAmester is uncomparable to your typical classroom setting. During my trip, I have made friends that will last a lifetime and experiences I will never forget. I had the best time hanging with the crew on our voyages and that will be something I remember forever. Take a risk and sign up because you will not regret it. I miss my Ocean Star and Firebolt crew!

188 people found this review helpful.
Emily
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

One of the Best Experiences of My Life!

SeaMester was hands down one of the most INCREDIBLE experiences I have ever had in my life. I loved meeting all the new people that were on OceanStar and FireBolt. The staff Eric, Cooper, Marina, and Bobbie made the experience 1000x better than I thought it could be. Everyone on OceanStar was always so friendly and helped you whenever you needed it. I wish I could go back!! If anyones considering taking part in one of these adventures, I say you MUST do it!

What would you improve about this program?
More land time!! Besides that everything was incredible, and kudos to the staff, all four of them were the best!
183 people found this review helpful.
Jane
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Chance of a Lifetime

This program was truly amazing. Every moment was filled with adventure and every adventure taught me something new. Life aboard was simple, it was hard work but it never demanded more than what we were capable of and more often than not it was fun. The classes we took were extremely informative and learning to operate the ship was amazing. This program definitely changed me for the better. I learned so much that inspired me to change my lifestyle. I learned from the people onboard, the environment around me, the ship itself, and the classes. Truthfully this is the experience of a lifetime and it is worth experiencing. The only thing to remember is you have to work for it, but that's part of what made it so incredible.

182 people found this review helpful.
Brianna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Ocean Star

I loved seamester and all the great people on board. But my favorite time would have two be then last day, you realized these people who your crying over because your living is your new family and no matter how far you are away from each other they will always be here for you.

175 people found this review helpful.
Christopher
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Cheese In a Cup

Life aboard OStar is fast paced and always changing. Becoming friends with 19 people while learning how to sail can be a daunting task but the nervousness quickly passes because you must work as a team if you're going to sail OStar. Learning how to sail almost comes naturally, thanks to the knowledgeable and exciting staff. You begin to know your crew mates very well and after a long tiring day when you are doing dishes and slightly delusional you come up with songs like cheese in a cup. These moments are what bond you into an OStar family, a family that you will always miss and never forget. This trip was a life changing experience for me and I would encourage anyone to become a part of the OStar family.

180 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers