Location
Multiple Locations +2
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Antigua and Barbuda
Length
2 - 4 weeks

Program Details

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

Pricing

Starting Price
6970
Price Details
3 academic credits from the University of South Florida

International Yachtmaster Training (IYT): International Crew Certificate

PADI Open Water or PADI Advanced Open Water certification
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Equipment Meals
What's Not Included
Airfare
Sep 22, 2022
Aug 25, 2022
30 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Shift your summer into overdrive with this Sea|mester journey of a lifetime. Your adventure begins in the British Virgin Islands where you'll discover why the Caribbean is a diver's and sailor's paradise. Dip beneath her aquamarine waters and meet marine life of every shape and shade.

Explore above her surface and find lush islands, ancient volcanoes, and white sand beaches. Sail on her legendary blue-green waves and take in jade mountains against iridescent sunrises and sunsets. Each of the 25 islands within the Leeward Islands offers a distinct cultural and geographic backdrop, so you'll sail throughout the island chain--visiting Saba, St. Eustatius, Nevis, Antigua, St. Barts, and the British Virgin Islands. Along the way, you'll earn 3 credit hours in basic seamanship.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Become A Certified Scuba Diver
  • Earn Sailing Certifications
  • Explore The Caribbean
  • Earn 3 College Credits

Scholarships

Seamester Scholarships

Seamester Scholarships & Financial Aid

Seamester offers a number of Financial Aid and Scholarship options available for those looking toward funding to make their experience possible.

Value
$500 - $10,000

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 22 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.35
  • Support 5
  • Fun 4.7
  • Housing 4.8
  • Safety 4.9
  • Housing 5
  • Support 5
  • Fun 5
  • Value 5
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 8 of 22 reviews
Default avatar
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
88 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
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
98 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
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
97 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
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
88 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
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.
153 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Evan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

20 Days on Ocean Star

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!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
If you have any desire to be a marine scientist, or just to see what is out there in the natural world, this trip is for you. It will open your eyes to how we interact with the oceans.
181 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ruby
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Ruby's Seamester Journey

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!

What would you improve about this program?
Honestly I had a great time all around, but maybe a couple of suggestions on how to maintain diving or sailing post course in your hometown or nearby.
174 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Alex
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life changer

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!

What would you improve about this program?
Make it longer! Take advantage of every minute you can!
170 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers