DESTINATIONS

THE CARIBBEAN & LESSER ANTILLES MEDITERRANEAN & ATLANTIC OCEAN PACIFIC OCEAN & POLYNESIA AUSTRALIA & INDONESIA ASIA, INDIAN OCEAN & SOUTH AFRICA

Study species diversity on the islands of the Galapagos or visit an aboriginal community in Australia’s Tiwi Islands. Hike to the boiling lake in Dominica or dive the coral reefs of Fiji. As the only sailing-based academic program that circumnavigates the globe, Sea|mester offers you the opportunity to explore those places that most intrigue you and study those subjects that most interest you. Whatever your planned career course, Sea|mester promises a life-changing adventure.

Where do you want to go?

MEDITERRANEAN

CARIBBEAN

GALAPAGOS

TAHITI & FRENCH POLYNESIA BRAZIL

ATLANTIC OCEAN

THAILAND

INDIAN OCEAN

MAURITIUS

SOUTH AFRICA

FIJI

AUSTRALIA

SEA|MESTER OFFERS 4 CARIBBEAN VOYAGES PER YEAR: AN 80-DAY SEMESTER EVERY FALL AND SPRING, AS WELL AS A SHORTER 20-DAY AND 40-DAY EXPERIENCE DURING THE SUMMER. WWW.SEAMESTER.COM HAS ALL THE DETAILS.

THE CARIBBEAN & LESSER ANTILLES The crystal blue waters of the Caribbean and the abundant beauty of the Lesser Antilles have long proved an irresistible lure to sailors and explorers. At one time or another, virtually every country in Europe has tried to lay claim to some part of the 700 islands that make up this paradise, which explains why languages and customs and currencies change as often as the topography. Indeed, because it hosts ecosystems that range from cloud forests to cactus scrublands, Conservation International has classified it as a biodiversity hotspot.

You’ll have the opportunity to dive the renowned reef systems, hike the volcanic mountains and explore the communities as part of one of our four different Caribbean Sea|mester voyages.

PUERTO RICO BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

TORTOLA

SABA ANGUILLA

ST. MARTIN

ST. BARTHELEMY

CARIBBEAN SEA

ANTIGUA & BARBUDA NEVIS

GUADELOUPE L E E W A R D I S L A N D S

"The hike began peacefully enough; a walk through paths lined with cinnamon and banana trees. Before long, the rainforest beckoned. We entered, surrounded by huge, green leaves and exotic birds. The beauty made it easy to forget about what awaited us, but that feeling was short lived. As the forest began to thin, the pounding of whitewater could be heard through the trees. We drew nearer, and the thundering grew louder. Before long, we were face to face with the reason we came: a massive, churning, 40-ft waterfall. David, our guide, led off, jumping as calmly as if he were stepping out his front door. Paul was next, followed by Chris, and then myself. Hands shaking, I took the plunge. It was the best decision I’d ever made."

From a trip log by Dan K., Tulane University, writing from Grenada

DOMINICA

W I N D W A R D I S L A N D S MARTINIQUE

ST. LUCIA

ST. VINCENT

GRENADA

PACIFIC OCEAN & POLYNESIA Retrace Darwin’s steps in the living laboratory of the Galapagos and explore the lush rainforests and volcanic sea caves of the Marquesas. This 4000-mile sailing adventure takes you from the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal, and across the Pacific, where the ocean’s gentle trade winds will lead you to the islands of French Polynesia: Bora Bora, Raiatea, Huahine, and Tahiti. Then, after stops in Fiji and Rarotonga to take in the local culture, it’s on to Cairns on Australia’s Northeastern Coast and the glories of world-class sailing, snorkeling, and scuba diving at the world’s largest coral ecosystem, the Great Barrier Reef.

LEARN DETAILS AND ITINERARIES FOR SEA|MESTER’S PACIFIC OCEAN & POLYNESIA PROGRAMS AT OUR WEBSITE WWW.SEAMESTER.COM

"While in the Galápagos the crew of Argo headed out to Los Lobos Island, the Island of the Sea Lions. From the boat I could see dark forms lounging on the rocks and I decided to swim to them. Suddenly a dark streak came shooting past me. My breath caught and I gasped, but I laughed when I realized I was being surrounded by sea lions that had come to play. As they somersaulted and spun underwater, I tried to mimic their movements and they seemed to love it. It made me dizzy just to watch them. The more we interacted the more comfortable they became, coming within inches of my mask. I could see into their large gentle eyes. Suddenly a terrified bark came echoing through the water. I quickly realized a large male was letting me know I had entered his territory. I turned and swam back to the coast, reflecting on the beauty of these majestic animals and how lucky I’d been to swim with them."

From a trip log by Samantha D., Eckerd College, writing from the Galapagos

"There was a big festival in town called the Santa Tecla which has been going on since Roman times. The main event is the Castelleros. Everyone, even the children, compete to build crazy towers of human bodies. I’d been chosen to join one and was soon at the bottom, a buttress of support. People began climbing on our shoulders to build the pyramid. Finally, a young girl no more than six or seven was climbing up on the backs of the six levels above me, trying to reach the top. It was one body too much. We started to sway dramatically. Suddenly the tower was coming down and bodies were falling everywhere! The young girl came hurtling earthward, and sent me flying backwards. When the chaos subsided and I composed myself, I realized though my heart was beating a hundred times a second I was smiling from ear to ear. Nothing needed to be said. It had just been an unbelievable experience." (Note from the student editor: the little girl was fine!)

From a trip log by Philip O., University of Colorado, writing from Spain

MEDITERRANEAN & ATLANTIC OCEAN The legends of the Mediterranean come alive on Sea|mester’s voyages across these fabled waters. Follow Ulysses’ odyssey across the Aegean, climb the steps Caesar did on his path to betrayal, hike to the site of Napoleon’s exile on Elba. See where Nelson escaped the French on the Costa Smeralda as he made his way to the battle of Trafalgar. Follow in Columbus’ wake across the Atlantic from Spain, with stops along the way at Gibraltar, Morocco and the Canary Islands before heading to the Caribbean to complete your academics, sail training and scuba certifications. Then it’s on to your final destination, the British Virgin Islands. It’s a blue-water sailing adventure that promises to be a life-changing test of character.

AUSTRALIA & INDONESIA Captain Cook came nearly 250 years ago on HMS Endeavour with an army of scientists and introduced the Great Barrier Reef to the world. Now you can explore the only living organism on earth visible from space, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, aboard Sea|mester’s Vela or Argo. Home to more than 30 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises, six species of turtles, 215 species of birds and 1500 species of fish, there is no better place than the largest coral reef system in the world to study oceanography, marine biology and, of course, to learn to scuba dive.

Then this 4000-mile sea voyage continues north to the more than 1750 islands that make up the world’s largest archipelago, Indonesia. Scattered across both sides of the equator and supporting the second highest level of biodiversity on earth, the islands offer a stunning array not only of flora and fauna, but of cultures as well. Then it’s on to Thailand, with stops along the way to explore Singapore and Malaysia.

"Anticipation and excitement had been building for days; I half expected to be greeted by half-naked Tiwi Aboriginals brandishing drums and spears when we got ashore. But the island is simple, full of culture and smiles. Our first stop was a small museum filled to the brim with history. There were tons of cool facts and pictures covering the walls, like old fighting sticks, photos of dance rituals, and random stories like the one about the Aborigine who had a heart attack the first time he saw a car. Each Aboriginal is given an animal nickname, and each animal name comes with a specific face-paint pattern. These names are passed down from generation to generation on the father’s side. We were all given good spirits by being rubbed with a certain bush, which also got rid of all the bad spirits we brought from the Australian mainland. If the day wasn’t already full enough, the night ended with a huge lightning storm off in the distance that was more spectacular than any fireworks show I’ve ever seen!"

From a trip log by Aaron F., Gap Year Student, writing from the Tiwi Islands, Australia

HUMPBACKS ARE WELL KNOWN FOR BREACHING AND THEIR COMPLEX SONGS. THEIR NAME IS TAKEN FROM THE MOTION THEY MAKE WHEN ARCHING THEIR BACKS OUT OF THE WATER IN PREPARATION FOR A DIVE. AN AVERAGE HUMPBACK WILL EAT 5000 POUNDS OF PLANKTON, KRILL AND SMALL SCHOOLING FISH EACH DAY AND CAN LIVE FOR 45-50 YEARS.

ASIA, INDIAN OCEAN & SOUTH AFRICA Witness elephants walking the busy city streets of Bangkok, dive and explore the coral reefs of the Maldive Islands, experience the incredible biodiversity of Borneo, and marvel at the epic views from Table Mountain on this unforgettable journey that spans an extraordinary mix of cultures and more than 6000 nautical miles. It takes you from Phuket, Thailand across the Indian Ocean – bounded to the north by Asia and the Indian subcontinent, the east by Australia and Indochina, the south by Antarctica toward Africa, and to the final destination of Cape Town.

"The last stop of a tour of Phi Phi Le Island in Thailand sticks in my mind. It was a small beach and very ordinary except for the large monkey population that inhabited it. There were baby monkeys clinging to their mothers, large males and rowdy youngsters. Boomer, our captain, knelt down and let a monkey sip from his water bottle. It was amazing to watch these animals up close and to see how unafraid of humans they’d become; they’d even wash sandy food in the water and run away from the surf. So it was much to the dismay of the group that we finally had to leave. It had been a great day topped off by a once in a lifetime encounter."

From a trip log by Evan I., Miami University, writing from Thailand