15 Marine Biology Camps for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 15 minutes ago
- 11 min read
Camps can be an accessible way to explore your interests while you are in high school. Typically shorter and more affordable than regular programs, camps allow you to dive into a subject through hands-on learning opportunities over a few days or a couple of weeks.
What are marine biology camps for high school students?
If your interests lie in marine science and ecosystems, marine biology camps can help you observe and examine aquatic organisms up close. You will learn about various marine species and their living environments and understand ecological interactions in real-world settings. At camp, you will use research tools such as microscopes, sampling equipment, and mapping software to gather and analyze data while learning how to apply core scientific methods to study the ocean and its organisms.
Most marine biology camps combine field research with lab-based learning. On the field, you will conduct habitat surveys, test water quality, identify coastal and marine species, and observe how environmental changes affect marine life. In the lab, you may explore topics like DNA analysis, nutrient cycles, or ocean modeling to understand how biological and physical systems interact.
To help you find the right opportunity, we have put together 15 marine biology camps for high school students.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by camp.
Location: Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center + other sites in NC
Cost: $5,220; financial aid is available.
Dates: June 7 – 17 | June 28 – July 8
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12, ages 13 – 18
The Marine Biology Immersion Camp, offered by Sea Turtle Camp, provides an in-depth introduction to marine biology through direct, hands-on learning experiences focused on coastal ecosystems and sea turtle conservation. Over 11 days, you will work alongside interns and volunteers to assist with turtle care, feeding, cleaning tanks, and learning about marine rehabilitation practices. Beyond animal care, you will study the interconnected habitats of maritime forests, salt marshes, and the open ocean to understand ecological balance and conservation challenges. You will also research and present a public lesson on sea turtle preservation, earning 25 community service hours in the process. The program includes field experiences such as kayaking through salt marshes, visiting the North Carolina Aquarium, conducting marine trawls aboard a research vessel, and scuba diving. You will stay in an oceanfront retreat center with access to recreational activities such as volleyball, beach bonfires, and evening camp gatherings.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial assistance offered
Dates: Multiple sessions, including summer, spring, fall, and winter cohorts, are scheduled each year
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort—January deadline for Spring cohort, May deadlines for Summer cohorts, September deadlines for Fall cohorts, and November deadline for Winter cohorts.
Eligibility: High school students; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0
This is a rigorous research program meant for high school students who want to explore an area and topic of interest in absolute detail. Here, you will get to work one-on-one with a Ph. D.-level mentor on an independent research project. You can choose research topics from a wide range of subjects, including marine biology. You will finalize a research question with support from your mentor and work with a writing coach to learn how to present your findings. At the end of the program, you will have a complete research paper! You can find more details about the application and available program formats here.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Texas A and M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX
Cost: $1,050
Dates: June 7 to 13, June 14 to 20, June 21 to 27
Application deadline: Rolling until sessions are full
Eligibility: Students ages 14 to 18
Texas A&M University’s TAG (Talented and Gifted Programs) offers a Marine Biology Research Camp, where you can spend a week engaging in field-based and lab-driven marine science. You will explore the salt marshes of Galveston Bay, collecting samples aboard a research vessel, and studying marine organisms in lab settings. You will also design a research project on a topic of interest, gaining experience in data collection and presentation in the process. The camp also includes lab tours, during which you will learn about various species, including marine mammals, fish, and sea turtles. You will also connect with instructors and marine science professionals at camp.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Various sites, including London, New York, San Francisco, and Tokyo
Cost: Varies according to program; financial aid available
Dates: Two weeks during the summer
Application deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students ages 15 to 18
Immerse Education’s Career Insights Pathway introduces high school students to professional industries through experiential learning in major global cities. Over the course of the two-week program, you will participate in interactive workshops, company visits, and hands-on projects that simulate real-world workplace settings. Industry mentors and professionals provide feedback and career advice as you explore sectors like business, journalism, medicine, law, or engineering. Weekly one-on-one coaching sessions will help you refine your goals and build confidence in presenting your work. The program concludes with a final presentation where you will share your findings and experiences with peers and professionals. You can find more details about the application here!
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Location: Roger Williams University, Bristol, RI
Cost: $1,995 (includes lodging, meals, use of laboratories, instruction, materials, equipment, and field trips); scholarships available
Dates: Multiple one-week sessions in the summer
Application deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Roger Williams University’s Marine Biology Camp is a weeklong opportunity to explore the coastal ecosystems in southern New England through fieldwork, lab research, and outdoor learning. You will learn how to conduct oceanographic sampling, identify marine organisms, and study shellfish, finfish, and seaweed ecology while engaging in activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, and barrier beach exploration. Lab sessions focus on plankton observation, nutrient analysis, and aquaculture techniques, helping you build skills in data collection, marine ecology, and environmental analysis. You will engage with marine scientists through seminars covering issues like overfishing, invasive species, and toxic plankton blooms, gaining a deeper understanding of real marine challenges. The program also includes a whale-watching trip off Cape Cod and collaborative field projects.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: The Salish Sea School, Anacortes, WA
Cost: $1,799; scholarships available
Application deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Dates: June 16 – 20 | July 28 – August 1
Eligibility: Students who are 14 – 18 years old
Guardians of the Sea is a five-day field-based marine biology camp focused on ocean conservation and ecosystem research in the Salish Sea. Here, you will learn how to conduct marine field studies through boat excursions, tide-pooling, and shoreline surveys while learning how to use microscopes and hydrophones to study eelgrass habitats, seabirds, and harbor seals. The program emphasizes observation, data recording, and ecological analysis while introducing methods of marine conservation practiced by professionals. You will collaborate with marine scientists during visits to research centers, like the Center for Whale Research, and apply your learning to group discussions and environmental activities. Additionally, the program includes activities like a camping trip to Fidalgo Island, beach cleanups, and outdoor mindfulness sessions, combining practical research experience with environmental awareness and exploration.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 15–100 participants/group
Location: Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Ocean Springs, MS
Cost: $75/day + additional fees for dissections, booking vessels, and chaperones. Check details here.
Dates: August – May; dates vary
Application deadline: Deadlines vary by camp; some programs extend registration through June 10
Eligibility: 4th graders to adults
The Coastal Science Camps, offered by the University of Southern Mississippi’s Marine Education Center, offer students a blend of fieldwork, exploration, and laboratory study along the Gulf Coast. Over the course of the camps, which may last a day or two, you will learn how to identify marine organisms, analyze water quality, and understand ecological relationships within coastal and barrier island habitats. Field experiences include trawling from research vessels, conducting plankton tows, and assisting in shark tagging to study species diversity and behavior under expert supervision. In the lab, you will gain experience in dissection, taxonomy, and data recording while examining the structure of marine food webs. The program also encourages collaboration with marine scientists during guided research sessions and includes opportunities to present findings. You can also engage in kayaking and exploring coastal bird ecology at camp.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Texas A and M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX
Cost: $1,075
Dates: May 31 to June 6, July 26 to August 1
Application deadline: Rolling until sessions are full
Eligibility: Students who are 15 to 18 years old
The Marine Mammal Workshop Camp at Texas A&M is a weeklong opportunity to learn about marine mammal biology, conservation issues, and research methods through fieldwork. You will work alongside professionals from the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network and explore how scientists study the behavior, habitat use, and physiology of marine mammals. You will engage in activities like data collection, case studies, and conservation analysis. The program focuses on real-world research, offering you insights into careers in marine science and wildlife protection. You will also gain insights into how marine mammals adapt to and interact with their environment and with one another.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Ocean Institute, Dana Point, CA
Cost: $660
Dates: One week in the summer; dates vary
Application deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Students, ages 14 – 17
The Marine Science Careers Camp at the Ocean Institute offers a week-long introduction to the practical and research aspects of marine biology. You will explore intertidal ecology, animal care, and laboratory techniques, and gain experience in shipboard research while sailing aboard the Spirit of Dana Point and a research cruise on the R/V Sea Explorer. You will also design and conduct your own research project and collaborate with marine professionals to analyze findings. The program focuses on building career readiness by covering resume writing, internship applications, and teamwork exercises. Beyond research, the camp includes leadership activities and opportunities to volunteer or pursue internships at the Ocean Institute after camp completion.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Dauphin Island, AL
Cost: $700
Dates: June 7 – 12 | July 19 – 24
Application deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: Rising 9th – 12th graders
The Marine Science High School Summer Camp at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) is a week-long residential camp designed to help you explore marine ecosystems of Alabama’s Gulf Coast through hands-on fieldwork and outdoor exploration. You will learn how to study marine habitats and species by kayaking through coastal waters, conducting beach seining to examine fish and invertebrates, and collecting data aboard a research vessel in the Gulf of Mexico. Guided by marine scientists, you will build practical skills in ecological observation, sampling, and data analysis while exploring topics such as coastal conservation and marine biodiversity. The program also includes activities across Mobile Bay and the Sand Island, allowing you to experience a range of marine environments while gaining a deeper understanding of ocean science.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: The Salish Sea School, Anacortes, Washington State
Cost: $1,699
Dates: June 22 – 26 | July 6 – 10
Application deadline: Rolling admissions till seats are full
Eligibility: Students who are 14 – 18 years of age
The Summer STaRS program is a five-day boat-based marine biology camp focused on research and conservation in the San Juan Islands. Here, you will learn how to conduct field-based marine research through activities such as intertidal species mapping, bull kelp monitoring, orca observation using visual and acoustic tools, and marine bird and fish egg surveys. The program emphasizes scientific methods, data collection, and analysis, allowing you to apply classroom knowledge in real-world contexts while understanding how research informs marine conservation policy. Guided by marine scientists, you will gain experience in fieldwork and collaboration and present findings based on your collected data. The camp also includes an overnight camping trip with nighttime explorations of coastal ecosystems. At camp, you will engage in outdoor recreation, shared meals, and discussions designed to build teamwork and appreciation for marine science.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20 students per grade level
Location: Marine Science Institute at UT Austin, Port Aransas, TX
Cost: $150
Dates: June 2 to 6, June 9 to 13, June 23 to 27
Application deadline: May 29, June 5, or June 19 based on the session
Eligibility: Students entering grades 5 to 11, ages 10 and up
The UT Summer Science program offers middle and high school students lab- and field-based exposure to marine science. You will join a small cohort for five days of fieldwork, lab investigations, and STEAM activities led by UT scientists and educators. The camp includes a research trip aboard the research vessel Katy, where you will explore estuarine ecosystems and gain experience in scientific sampling techniques. Within groups divided by your grade level, you will run experiments and engage in team projects, while building skills in observation, data collection, analysis, and critical thinking. You will also explore local environments and natural science fields at camp.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 24 students
Location: Sea Turtle Camp, Wilmington, NC
Cost: $2,980; financial aid is available.
Dates: Multiple one-week sessions from May to July
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising 9th graders – recent high school graduates
The Marine Biology Adventure Camp, offered in collaboration with the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in North Carolina, is a one-week opportunity to explore field-based marine research and conservation. You will learn about marine ecosystems while engaging in sea turtle care, coastal habitat surveys, and water quality studies. You will also participate in turtle patrols, salt marsh kayaking, tide-pooling, and dissections, gaining direct exposure to marine species and ecological relationships. Working alongside conservation professionals, you will contribute to environmental efforts like beach cleanups and public outreach, while also developing research and documentation skills. The camp curriculum includes aquarium visits, evening campfires, and a closing luau.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Seal Harbor, Mount Desert, ME
Cost: $3,200 for the standard program | $3,300 for the college credit program
Dates: July 12 – 24 | July 26 – August 7
Application deadline: Rolling till full
Eligibility: High school students, ages 15 – 18, who have completed 1 year of high school and high school science (preferably, with a lab component)
The Acadia Institute’s Advanced Marine Science Camp, held on Mount Desert Island, is a two-week camp that introduces you to marine ecology through hands-on research and field exploration. Here, you will learn to study marine biodiversity by collecting and analyzing field data, conducting tidal-pool studies, and examining sand dollar embryology in lab settings. The program emphasizes scientific observation, data interpretation, and report writing, offering you exposure to marine research. Working alongside marine professionals, you will engage in field investigations and present your findings at the end of the camp. Beyond academics, the camp includes fishing trips, whale watching, and water sampling excursions, along with recreational activities such as a family cookout and guided college visits.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Seacoast Science Center, Rye, NH
Cost: $500; $450 for members
Dates: Session A: July 14 – 18 | Session B: July 28 – August 1
Application deadline: Rolling admissions until full; registration opens in January
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12
The Marine Biology Camp at the Seacoast Science Center is a weeklong opportunity to engage in field-based learning and explore the fields of ocean science and marine research. You will learn how to conduct ecological fieldwork, collect and identify marine species, analyze water quality, and study organisms such as crustaceans and echinoderms. The program also introduces you to marine pollution research, allowing you to conduct investigations into plastics in the ocean. Guided by marine scientists, you will gain experience in data collection, analysis, and interpretation while developing research and teamwork skills. Additionally, you will engage in activities like tide pool studies, kayaking or snorkeling excursions, and a visit to the University of New Hampshire’s Marine Lab or a research trip into the Gulf of Maine.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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