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110 programs to compare
93 updated for 2027 · 17 pending
Wilderness & AdventureMarine ScienceApplication
Island School - Summer Term
The Island School
Dates:
Jun 20 – Aug 1, 2027
Length:
6 weeks
Cost:
$19,100
Location:
Cape Eleuthera, South Eleuthera, The Bahamas
Eligibility:
Rising Sophomores-Seniors (matches completed grades 9–11 in search filters)
Format:
Residential
Deadline:
Due January 15, 2027
Six-week, field-based residential program combining Marine Ecology and Human Ecology coursework, connecting students to the natural and cultural landscape of South Eleuthera through fieldwork alongside scientists at the Cape Eleuthera Institute, including scuba-diving-based coral reef study.
2 sessions between Jun 16–Jul 28, 2027 (3 weeks options)
Length:
3 weeks
Cost:
$6,700
Location:
Athens, Greece
Grades:
Current grades 9-12
Format:
Group Housing
Deadline:
Jan 20, 2027
12 hours of service-learning: coastal dune restoration work with local NGOs on Aegina island. Water quality assessment, snorkeling, and tide pool exploration. Excursions to Cape Sounion (Temple of Poseidon) and Vouliagmeni Beach.
2 sessions between Jun 16–Jul 28, 2027 (3 weeks options)
Length:
3 weeks
Cost:
$5,800
Location:
Cape Town, South Africa
Grades:
Current grades 9-12
Format:
Group Housing
Deadline:
Jan 20, 2027
12 hours of service-learning including a citizen-science snorkeling research project with Cape RADD and an artistic beach-cleanup/repurposing project; fieldwork observing African penguins in False Bay. Behind-the-scenes visit to the Two Oceans Aquarium, a Cape Floristic Region field trip, and a safari.
2 sessions between Jun 16–Jul 28, 2027 (3 weeks options)
Length:
3 weeks
Cost:
$6,200
Location:
Lisbon, Portugal
Grades:
Current grades 9-12
Format:
Residential (Homestay)
Deadline:
Jan 20, 2027
12 hours of service-learning working with local NGOs on coastal dune preservation and plastics awareness, plus fieldwork including birdwatching at a coastal lagoon, snorkeling in a marine park, river kayaking, dolphin observation, and intertidal monitoring at Avencas Beach.
2 sessions between Jun 16–Jul 28, 2027 (3 weeks options)
Length:
3 weeks
Cost:
$5,150
Location:
Merida, Mexico
Grades:
Current grades 9-12
Format:
Residential (Homestay)
Deadline:
Jan 20, 2027
Fieldwork-based program studying mangroves, cenotes, and coastal lagoons with local ecologists; 12 hours of service-learning working with NGOs on beach conservation. Overnight trips to Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve (flamingos) and El Palmar State Ecological Reserve (mangrove kayaking). Students must have completed Freshman year of high school before traveling.
Marine Ecology & Sustainability (Palma de Mallorca)
CIEE
Dates:
2 sessions between Jun 16–Jul 28, 2027 (3 weeks options)
Length:
3 weeks
Cost:
$6,500
Location:
Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Grades:
Current grades 9-12
Format:
Residential (Homestay)
Deadline:
Jan 20, 2027
Fieldwork with local ecologists conducting species inventories and habitat monitoring, plus swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding; overnight trip to Cabrera National Park and a Tramuntana mountains hike.
2 sessions between Jun 16–Jul 28, 2027 (3 weeks options)
Length:
3 weeks
Cost:
$5,100
Location:
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Grades:
Current grades 9-12
Format:
Group Housing
Deadline:
Jan 20, 2027
12 hours of service-learning on a group sustainability project focused on preserving Puerto Rico's marine ecosystems; visits to the Submerged Gardens marine reserve and a coral-gardening conservation project. Excursions to the bioluminescent Laguna Grande and El Yunque rainforest (including ziplining).
Marine Ecology & Sustainability en Espanol (Palma de Mallorca)
CIEE
Dates:
2 sessions between Jun 16–Jul 28, 2027 (3 weeks options)
Length:
3 weeks
Cost:
$6,525
Location:
Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Grades:
Current grades 9-12
Format:
Residential (Homestay)
Deadline:
Jan 20, 2027
Spanish-taught version of the Palma marine ecology program. Gated by a STAMP 4S test (Intermediate-Mid minimum), completed Spanish Level 3+ (or qualifying oral interview).
2 sessions between Jun 16–Jul 28, 2027 (3 weeks options)
Length:
3 weeks
Cost:
$6,900
Location:
Sydney, Australia
Grades:
Current grades 9-12
Format:
Group Housing
Deadline:
Jan 20, 2027
Field research across marine, coastal, and bushland ecosystems with a local conservationist guide; includes snorkeling at Cabbage Tree Aquatic Reserve, a Blue Mountains excursion, and a traditional Aboriginal Bushtucker Tour.
Global & LanguageWilderness & AdventureMarine ScienceApplication
Panama: Rainforests, Reefs & Communities
The Experiment in International Living
Dates:
Jul 1–20, 2027
Length:
20 days
Cost:
$6,600–$7,600
Location:
Panama
Grades:
Completed 9th-12th grade (not yet in college)
Format:
Residential
Deadline:
Feb 15, 2027
Three-week program in Panama exploring cloud forests, coral reefs, and city life: hiking highland trails, snorkeling in the Caribbean, and living with local families while learning how communities balance conservation with daily life.
Three-week program in Ecuador combining the Mindo Cloud Forest, a weeklong Andean homestay with community service, and six days in the Galápagos snorkeling, hiking, and visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station.
8 sessions between Jul 4–Aug 28, 2027 (1 week options)
Length:
1 week
Cost:
$1,625
Location:
Edmonds, WA (Puget Sound)
Grades:
8-9 at time of registration
Format:
Residential
Weeklong overnight marine science and water-adventure camp on Puget Sound for the oldest campers, who drive outboard Zodiacs, sail, foil board, and (weather permitting) sea kayak across the Sound to Whidbey Island, and can earn service-learning hours on marine mammal science projects. Sessions run Sunday to Saturday, and campers can attend one or more weeks.
Marine conservation and optional PADI Open Water scuba certification on a private island; students not already certified earn their PADI during the trip (certification/eLearning fees additional). Intra-trip flight from Belize City to Placencia is required.
2 sessions between Jul 18–Jul 31, 2027 (7 days options)
Length:
7 days
Cost:
$4,999
Location:
The Reef Institute, West Palm Beach, FL
Grades:
Students currently in grades 9–12
Format:
Residential
Credit:
Yes (1 George Mason University college credit included)
One-week marine biology program with The Reef Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida, where students snorkel to monitor corals and fish, tag coral at Peanut Island, and learn about coral nursery and gene-banking research; no diving involved.
3 sessions between Jun 29–Aug 3, 2027 (8 days options)
Length:
8 days
Cost:
$2,795
Location:
Belize City, the Maya Mountains, and Caye Caulker
Ages:
14-18 per program site (matches completed grades 8–12 in search filters)
Format:
Group Housing
~22 hours of community service split between rainforest fieldwork at the T.R.E.E.S. research base (wildlife studies, bird banding with mist nets, camera-trap tracking, Kriol drumming) and marine exploration on Caye Caulker (snorkeling Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, an Ocean Academy student exchange). Includes a stop at the Altun Ha Maya archaeological site. Max 18 students.
Costa Rica (Camaronal Wildlife Refuge & Puerto Carrillo, Nicoya Peninsula)
Grades:
Completing grades 9-11
Format:
Residential
8-day sea turtle conservation program on Costa Rica's Pacific coast with 20 service hours at Camaronal Wildlife Refuge - night nesting patrols, hatchery work, and hatchling releases - plus surf lessons and ziplining.
3 sessions between Jun 16–Aug 5, 2027 (9 days options)
Length:
9 days
Cost:
$3,495
Location:
Kefalonia Island & Athens
Ages:
14-18 per program site (matches completed grades 8–12 in search filters)
Format:
Group Housing
~20 hours of hands-on loggerhead sea turtle conservation fieldwork in partnership with Wildlife Sense (a Mediterranean Action Plan-recognized research organization): dawn nesting-beach surveys, harbor turtle monitoring, seagrass habitat snorkel mapping, and beach cleanups. Since 2018, Rustic Pathways students have helped protect 340+ loggerhead nests. Includes a full-day boat tour and a Cave of Melissani visit. Max 20 students; domestic Athens-Kefalonia flight included in tuition.
5 sessions between Jun 15–Aug 7, 2027 (10 days options)
Length:
10 days
Cost:
$4,870
Location:
British Virgin Islands
Ages:
12-18 per program site (matches completed grades 6–12 in search filters)
Format:
Residential
10-day introduction to sailing and scuba. No experience necessary. IYT Try Sailing plus PADI Discover Scuba or two sport dives. 12 students and 3 staff per boat, sailing with the wider fleet.
2 sessions between Jun 28–Jul 14, 2027 (10 days options)
Length:
10 days
Cost:
$2,195
Location:
Bali
Ages:
14-18 per program site (matches completed grades 8–12 in search filters)
Format:
Group Housing
Rustic Pathways' first student travel program in Indonesia: a PADI Discover Scuba pool session and two guided open-water dives, a sea turtle release at Padang Bai, one night living in a Balinese village house compound (Rumah Desa) in Tabanan with daily offerings and rice-field work, a pre-dawn Mount Batur summit climb for sunrise, and Ayung River whitewater rafting. Max 22 students. Requires a visa on arrival for US citizens.
