Explore the world with Sea|mester just like Destiny

She sailed with us from Bali to South Africa, and now's your chance to join the adventure!

 

 

Limited availability on upcoming voyages

Destiny recently completed our 90-day Sea|mester voyage from Bali to South Africa. If you’re here from her content, welcome! Dive into the details and start planning your own adventure.

Sea|mester gave me real-life skills, certifications, and a deeper understanding of ocean life. But more importantly, it gave me a new level of confidence. It pushed me to overcome challenges, step outside my comfort zone, and truly understand who I am and what I value. If you’re considering this opportunity, it’s one of those experiences that changes you in the best way.

Destiny Benway
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Spend a semester at sea with Sea|mester

What is Sea|mester?

Sea|mester is a one-of-a-kind study abroad and gap year program where students (like YOU) live aboard one of our sailing vessels as they learn to sail around the world, scuba dive, & explore new cultures, all while earning school credit. Watch the video to learn all about us!

  • Study abroad at sea, exploring multiple countries
  • No classrooms, all real-world experience
  • Earn college credit while traveling the globe
  • Join a community of adventurers just like you

 

Program Highlights

✅ 20 – 90 Day Voyages 
✅ Global Itineraries
✅ Up to 12 Credits        
✅ Up to 12 Countries
✅ Ocean Crossings

✅ Live on a Sailboat
✅ Scuba Certifications
✅ Sailing Certifications 
✅ Life-Long Friendships
✅ So Much More!

 

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Where are they now?

Follow our vessels and crew as they circumnavigate the globe.

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Whether you’re looking for a short-term adventure or a full semester spent at sea, our programs range from 20 to 90 days and take you to some of the world’s most incredible destinations

Open to college students, gap year travelers, and high school graduates, our spring, fall, and summer voyages offer a one-of-a-kind learning experience. All you need to bring is your adventurous spirit and the drive to dive in—no prior sailing or diving experience required. Just passion, curiosity, and a readiness for the journey of a lifetime.

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Alumni Testimonials Frequently Asked Questions Reviews

 WHAT OTHER ALUMNI HAVE TO SAY

We believe the best way to learn about our program is to hear it directly from people who actually experienced it.

Bianca

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“To this day I say this — it was the best twenty days of my life!”

Edwin

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“…a good break from your typical grindy college environment.”

Daisy

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“I don’t think I’ll ever get the chance to sail across an ocean ever again so something in me snapped and said: Do It!”

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FAQs About Sea|mester

Sea|mester is a one-of-a-kind study abroad and gap year program where students live aboard one of our sailing vessels as they learn to sail around the world, scuba dive, and explore new cultures — all while earning school credit.

Enter your name, email, and phone number on the form at the top of this page to start the process (or click here).

After submitting your information, you will be sent our upcoming voyage itineraries and be able to apply, schedule a call with us, or call a program coordinator immediately. We hope to see you on the next page!

For us, it all started in the mid-1970s when Jim Stoll (founder of the original company) began a high school aboard two large schooners. Twelve years later, with children of his own, Jim moved back ashore to develop motivational programs for young adults. In the mid-eighties he once again headed to the water, to run the teen program ActionQuest. In 1995, Jim was joined by Mike Meighan. A recent oceanography and marine biology graduate, Mike dreamed of creating a truly interactive educational experience. Using the principles of experiential education, Mike developed Sea|mester in 1998.

Over the past 25+ years, Sea|mester has operated more than 113,000 student days, issued over 16,000 academic credits, sailed in excess of 250,000 nautical miles, and circumnavigated the world multiple times.

Most students are typically either graduating high school or in their sophomore or junior years in college, so you can expect ages primarily from 17 through 22. Sometimes we allow students up to 24, depending on circumstance.

As fun as it is being looked at like a full-blown pirate, yes, we try to keep everything above aboard at the customs line by having a valid, up-to-date passport.

Good question! We are a diverse cast of characters, and we come from all different backgrounds – Captains, Marine Engineers, Marine Biologists, Oceanographers. Some of our team came to Sea|mester to study abroad in college and found their way back realizing that their life’s work was here to bring up the next generation. Despite how we all arrived from the disparate places we came from, we can say definitively that we all share a deep desire to reach others, discover new ways and evolve together.

The glorious world wide web is available… but only for special occasions like the ship’s daily blog posts to update friends and family.

Don’t panic, it’ll still be there for you when you get back ashore. We just truly believe in the ever-increasingly “rare” opportunity to unplug and allow yourself to connect with your amazing environment and those around you.

We always maintain a satellite uplink for communications so email can be sent if need be, but the vast majority of your time spent bragging how much fun you’re having will be done ashore via international calls.

In many cases, yes. While the environment we create is appropriate for most, it is not for everyone. Successful Sea|mester students are in good physical and emotional health and have an interest in immersing themselves fully in our community. Sea|mester students are excited to learn new skills, experience new places and are capable of working positively within a close-knit team even when tired. While it’s natural for new students to be a little nervous before joining our team, prospective students should reconsider if dealing with behavioral, motivational, or rehabilitation issues. If you are unsure whether our adventure is suitable, please enter your name and email on the form at the top of the page and you can call the number on the next page to discuss your needs with us, and we will work towards accommodating them if we can.

It is imperative we’re transparent about the challenges of sailing — any program that 100% guarantees safety is selling you a bill of goods. That said, we do everything possible to manage risk and remain fully prepared for any scenario. We make sure to implement the best gear and equipment, employ the best and brightest in the industry, and train rigorously. All of our vessels are carefully maintained and inspected regularly by Britain’s premiere nautical and ocean-going monitor. We also are proud to be partnered with an international emergency response firm, and you can rest easy knowing that we are always with a satellite uplink and radio communications.

We work with International SOS and MedAire to provide integrated emergency services for the remote environments we travel in. These are US-based companies with an international footprint. Through a single point of contact, our Membership extends us world-class medical advice, security services, and evacuation coordination anywhere in the world so we are prepared for any and all scenarios at passage and ashore.

Great question. If you can see yourself excelling in our program then fill out the form at the top of this page and we will send you our upcoming voyage itineraries and their tuition costs.

Read the scholarship FAQ below for more info.

Absolutely! On average 1 out of 3 students who apply receive scholarships.

We offer scholarships up to 40% of your total voyage cost (unfortunately, we cannot offer more.) Please know that offers are based on need and determined on a case-by-case basis. If you have special circumstances regarding your financial needs please let us know in your application essay for us to take into consideration. We can work with your school officers to help navigate your specific situation.

*We also accept any of your existing private grants, GI bills, 529 plans, and more.

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Still Not Convinced?

Read more independent reviews from past students below!

 

Maia
21 | United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program: Bali to South Africa – 90 Days
Coolest, hardest, and best semester of my life
Jan 28, 2026
I did the Bali to South Africa voyage, and I LOVED IT, I think about it everyday. It is an incredibly challenging program, physically and mentally. You have to change everything about the way you live to adapt to sailing life (sleeping schedule, diet, social habits, no phone, etc.) but I truly cherished this experience more than any other in my life, and even more so for the parts that were challenging. You learn so much more than you would in a classroom–sailing, navigation, diving, cooking, cleaning, riddles and jokes, dancing, the list goes on. If you’re looking for a life changing adventure that will challenge you in ways you couldn’t imagine, but also be the most rewarding experience of your life, with a group of people who you will come to love like family, do it!!
What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
There are a lot of things that will put you miles outside of your comfort zone, but the more you lean into those experiences and appreciate them for what they are, the better your experience will be!!
29 people found this review helpful.

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Maia
21 | United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program: Bali to South Africa – 90 Days
Coolest, hardest, and best semester of my life
Jan 28, 2026
I did the Bali to South Africa voyage, and I LOVED IT, I think about it everyday. It is an incredibly challenging program, physically and mentally. You have to change everything about the way you live to adapt to sailing life (sleeping schedule, diet, social habits, no phone, etc.) but I truly cherished this experience more than any other in my life, and even more so for the parts that were challenging. You learn so much more than you would in a classroom–sailing, navigation, diving, cooking, cleaning, riddles and jokes, dancing, the list goes on. If you’re looking for a life changing adventure that will challenge you in ways you couldn’t imagine, but also be the most rewarding experience of your life, with a group of people who you will come to love like family, do it!!
What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
There are a lot of things that will put you miles outside of your comfort zone, but the more you lean into those experiences and appreciate them for what they are, the better your experience will be!!
29 people found this review helpful.

Helpful

 

 

Matthew
19 | Male | United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program: Transatlantic, Mediterranean to Caribbean – 90 Days
My experience on Seamester
Jan 5, 2026
I think the best part about Sea|mester is the mix between school, sailing, traveling, and making lifelong friendships. The mix off all of these things creates such a unique and hard to find environment, which was perfect for me, that it can not be found anywhere else. The hardest part was leaving and seasickness. My biggest takeaway is all of my friends whether they were on the staff or just other students. I will stay in contact with them for as long as I can. I will also always remember my time on Argo as some of the best days of my life.
What was your funniest moment?
Cleaning the anchor locker with sponges on both my feet and hands. And soap in my hair.
26 people found this review helpful.

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Hannah
23 | Female | United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program: Bali to South Africa – 90 Days
90 Life Changing Days!
Dec 30, 2025
Going on Sea|mester was the best choice I made for myself in 2025, and its impact on my life cannot be understated. There is no feeling in the world that compares to sailing alone in the vastness of the Indian Ocean at 2am, thousands of stars studding the midnight velvet of the sky, sea so calm that the stars are reflected in its surface, while sparkling bioluminescent phytoplankton lights up the path Vela carves through the water. It’s hard to put into words how this experience truly grew me as a person, stretching me beyond what I thought I was capable of, and challenging me to be a better and open-minded human. Learning to work with others to sail a boat across an ocean to an entirely new continent has given me so much confidence in my life on land, and I truly feel that nothing is out of reach for me now. The flexibility and quick adaptations we had to constantly have (especially regarding time management and studying for classes) on Vela has prepared me so much for the struggles and unpredictability of real life. Learning about subjects like marine biology and oceanography while they directly pertained to our lives was unparalleled! There’s nothing like catching and dissecting a wahoo you caught on passage for marine biology, and then getting to have fish tacos for dinner later, or learning how to navigate via nautical charts in class and then getting to do it for real on boat checks. My trip also helped me build lifelong bonds with the other students, and I feel so blessed to call 15 other people across two countries and 13 states my good friends. If you are considering Sea|mester, go! Do whatever you can to make it possible to go on one of these trips. It will change your life, self- identity, and concept of humanity for the better.
What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The start of the yearly red crab migration on Christmas Island! By far one of the most ecologically unique and interesting places I’ve ever been. The history and significance of the multiple crab species on the island and the people’s way of structuring their lives around the crabs never fails to amaze me.
37 people found this review helpful.

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Cameron
21 | Male | United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program: Transatlantic, Mediterranean to Caribbean – 90 Days
Tip of a lifetime
Dec 25, 2025
This experience was amazing. I’ll be honest, it is definitely not easy. But that’s part of it. The personal development and the character building is like nothing else I’ve ever done. When considering this trip, keep in mind that everything will be different, difficult, and at some points never ending. But it’s worth it. Lean into the hard moments. Embrace them. Be ready to be uncomfortable. That’s the only way you grow, and become the person that your younger self looks up to. I’ll never forget this experience, the good and the bad. It helped shape me into the man I am today.
What was your funniest moment?
By far the funniest moment I experienced was cleaning the anchor locker with a couple friends. Music was blaring, soap absolutely everywhere. Unknowingly, one of the funniest moments I’ve been apart of.
33 people found this review helpful.

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Payton
26 | Female | United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program: Seamester: Bali to South Africa – 90 Days
A Once-in-a-lifetime Experience
Dec 18, 2025
Seamester was an amazing, incredible, unique experience. It challenged me in ways I expected, and in ways I didn’t, and I wouldn’t trade a single moment of it for anything. Studying abroad with Seamester is not for the faint of heart, but if you’re looking for adventure and willing to work hard I highly recommend this program!!! It’s a great way to see less-travelled-to parts of the world and you can collect some amazing friends and unforgettable experiences along the way. Highly recommend for someone wanting a unique study abroad experience!
What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Did not expect to ever in my life get the opportunity to swim in 2000 meters of water in the open ocean
35 people found this review helpful.

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