Location
Multiple Locations +4
  • Fiji
  • Palau
  • Micronesia
  • Indonesia
    • Bali
Term
Summer
Subject Areas
Communications Environmental Studies Marine Biology Oceanography

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
High School Diploma
Housing
Boat
Language
English

Pricing

Starting Price
25970
Price Details
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 4000 nautical miles
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Classes Meals
What's Not Included
Airfare
Sep 22, 2022
Oct 27, 2021
43 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Sailing from Fiji to Bali is known as one of the world's most amazing trade wind sails; yachtsmen the world over call it "The Coconut Run."

It begins when you cast off your line from the dock in Viti Levu and 80 days, 5000 nautical miles, and 12 credits later, this Sea|mester voyage ends as you tuck your bow behind an exotic reef into the protected waters of Bali via Palau, one of 500 islands that form an archipelago in the Micronesia region of the western Pacific.

In between, you get to hoist and lower the sails of a beautiful schooner, anchor in secluded lagoons, catch fish straight from the Pacific Ocean, anchor off the reefs of Raratonga, climb and hike with natives of the Tonga Archipelago and participate in a Kava ceremony with the chief of a Fijian village. Are we missing something here? Not likely - but YOU will be missing something to tell your grandkids someday if you don't sign up early enough to be among those fortunate enough to be part of this Sea-mester voyage.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Become A Certified Scuba Diver
  • Learn to Sail
  • Earn 12 College Credits from the University of South Florida
  • Sail 4000 miles Across the South Pacific

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 Dates

Application Deadline
Program Dates
-

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 13 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.4
  • Support 4.85
  • Fun 4.95
  • Housing 4.85
  • Safety 4.95
Showing 1 - 8 of 13 reviews
Default avatar
Caleigh
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fiji to Palau

Sea|mester was a life changing experience! The most valuable aspect was the ability to grow your voice and gain confidence. I went into the program with a sufficient amount of confidence and wasn’t the type of person to raise my hand in class. As the program went on, I went outside my comfort zone as often as I could to grow my voice. I didn’t notice the increase in confidence until the student lead passage when I was Chief Mate and really utilized those skills and pushed myself even harder. For those moments, I’ll forever remember.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
One of the most memorable moments of the trip was participating in a Kava ceremony with the Fijian Navy. As well, we saw a large pod of sperm whales breach during our long passage to Palau. Once we reached our anchorage in Palau, the President of Palau and the US Ambassador joined us onboard for a tour of the boat and provided us some information about the islands! This trip really upgraded our two truths and a lie game.
56 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Max
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Trip!

I really enjoyed my the experiences provided and loved becoming close to everyone on the crew. The most valuable aspect of Seamester was the experience of living on a boat for so long in such close quarters with an amazing group of people. The staff were also a very inspirational group, and I think everyone on board was quite envious of the life they lead. This was the end to my gap year, and it really made me very glad that I decided to take a gap year. It was the perfect culmination of having fun while still being able to accomplish a lot.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Our group got to enjoy Kava, a ceremonial root, with the Fijan navy!
52 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Megan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fiji to Palau summer 2021

SeaMester is a great way to step outside of your comfort zone and get to know yourself in a new way through learning new skills and having unique experiences. Also, the relationships formed aboard are ones that will last a lifetime. SeaMester has had a tremendous impact on my personal growth because of the nature of the environment we are immersed in. It quickly grew in confidence with my ability to engage and interact with people and I learned how to be more patient and understanding since we were always living so close together. I would highly recommend SeaMester to anyone who is looking for both a physical and an emotional journey!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
When we were close to crossing the equator a pod of sperm whales swam by the boat. We spent about an hour with them and they were spyhopping and breaching and you could tell that they were trying to interact with us!
57 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Anne
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Awesome trip!

The fact that I was able to go on this Sea|mester trip has profoundly changed my life and where I think my boundaries lay. I owe a lot of this to all of the efforts of all the staff and crew, so thank you! I would recommend this trip to anyone who is interested in marine biology and expanding their worldview. It is definitely a one in a lifetime experience! You will grow a ton as a person and realize that you are capable of so much more than you thought. Plus you get to see some pretty awesome marine life.

56 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Margaret
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An experience you’ll never forget!

There’s honestly no words that would sum up my experience: From sliding down natural water slides in Fiji to watching the sunrise with kangaroos on the beach in Australia to being able to celebrate Independence Day in Vanuatu. One thing for sure no day was the same! One time in middle of a passage we were able to jump off the boat with no land in sight being it was beyond calm that day and moments like those truly makes you appreciate life while you feel at peace. It’s amazing how close you become to the other people, even the staff was amazing at making our experience unforgettable. I miss the days where you could just hope off a boat and be in a new place and get to explore it, so I ended up doing another trip with them the next summer!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Go in open minded, no trip is the same but it will be unforgettable!
73 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Meg
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Best 80 Days of My Life!!

I can not even begin to explain how incredible my summer on Argo was sailing from Tahiti to Australia. Every day was different and exciting. I initially went on this trip to spend the summer sailing and diving. I did not anticipate that I would meet my best friends as well. From scuba diving, sailing, hiking to waterfalls, exploring so many new islands, the classes, and spending virtually every minute outside, I learned more than I can ever put into words. This experience pushes you as well. From all the midnight watches, cooking, and keeping Argo in tip top shape, I learned so much about myself as well as the world around me. If I could go on this trip again I would!! I am so grateful to Seamester for giving me the best experience of my life.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Every moment is a photographers paradise! Take as many pictures as you can! You get to experience all the beautiful stars, sunrises, and sunsets so cherish it.
76 people found this review helpful.
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Default avatar
Griffin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Life Changing Experience...

I was fortunate enough to sail on Argo for 80 days from Tahiti to Australia in the summer of 2017. It was an incredible experience is so many ways. We got to see and explore amazing islands in the pacific, we got SCUBA certified in some of the most beautiful dive spots in the world, and we sailed almost 5,000 nautical miles. There are definitely challenges associated with living in close quarters and just being on a ship, but for anyone looking to push themselves outside their comfort zone, those “challenges” will probably become the things you miss most about the trip. Also the crew were fantastic. Incredibly knowledgeable and helpful despite some occasionally very challenging teaching conditions. If you know you want to go abroad on the water, and are particularly interested in doing as much sailing, and diving as possible, Seamester is the way to go.

70 people found this review helpful.
Read my full story
Default avatar
Garison
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Life-Changing Decision

I often find myself wanting to be back on S/Y Argo. There, I found a great community of friends who all pushed each other to achieve more than we thought we could. Since coming home, I've told people how much I miss being in a community where everyone is working hard and motivating others to do the same. Because of this communal work ethic, there was never a wasted day. An important note on this, though, it is very important that you are willing to not only contribute, but do your best in each of your jobs every day. I'm not saying people were perfect, but the ones who tried hard were the ones who made the trip better for the entire boat. So a willingness to fully commit to each task (even night watch from 12 a.m. - 4 a.m., or deep cleaning the boat) is a must. As far as classes go, the workload is challenging, not because the subject matter is impossible. but because each day is so full. Every student found the right balance for them, though, between academics and exploring the South Pacific on the trip. One important thing to note is that the twelve college credits from the trip will make you a transfer student at many colleges. I was a gap year student, and did not realize this until I tried to apply to colleges in the fall, and was told to apply in March as a transfer student. So, if you are on a gap year, make sure you know what your future college's credit requirements are for freshman. Finally, here are some of my favorite memories from S/Y Argo: cooking while underway (aptly described as traumatic yet satisfying), swimming with humpback whales, bow watch (sitting at the front of the boat with one other watch team member) while the sun sets, and scary stories under the beautiful stars on night watch. I left Argo more self-confident and motivated, and was very happy I made the decision to make it part of my gap year.

What would you improve about this program?
More night dives, and finding the good spots to dive in each location. Sometimes, we would dive and see very little despite being in some of the best diving locations in the world. This was because the crew didn't have the means to get to better sites.
77 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers