10 Marine Biology Summer Camps for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 6 days ago
- 7 min read
If you're a high school student interested in marine biology but don't have the time for a long program, a summer camp could be a good option instead. These camps typically last a few days or weeks, focusing on hands-on activities like field research and species identification. Unlike summer programs, which are more structured and academic, camps are shorter and focus more on practical learning.
Marine biology camps provide exposure to college-level academics, fieldwork, and opportunities to connect with industry professionals. Whether it’s studying coastal ecosystems or tracking sea turtles, these camps give you focused, practical experience without being difficult to commit to.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 10 top marine biology camps for high school students!
10 Marine Biology Summer Camps for High School Students
Cost: $4,780. Partial need-based financial aid is available.
Location: Topsail Island, North Topsail Beach, NC
Dates: Session I: June 8 - June 18 | Session II: June 29 - July 9.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Rising 9th graders to recent high school graduates passionate about sea turtles and the marine environment are eligible to apply.
Sea Turtle Camp – Marine Biology Immersion is an eleven-day summer camp where you work with staff at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. You help with daily turtle care, beach clean-ups, and public education, and earn 25 community service hours.
The camp includes beach patrols to study nesting behavior and opportunities to teach lessons on sea turtle conservation. You also take part in daily field trips to salt marshes and maritime forests, learn about their role in marine ecosystems, and explore optional activities like SCUBA diving, water testing, and visiting local conservation sites.
Cost: $6,880. Need-based financial aid is available.
Location: St. Martin and the Leewards
Dates: Session I: June 14 - June 30 | Session II: July 3 - July 19 | Session III: July 23 - August 8
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: High school students completing grades 9-12 are eligible to apply.
Broadreach – Caribbean Marine Biology Voyage is a marine biology summer camp for high school students that offers two natural science credits through Lesley University, three optional certifications, and five hours of service learning through local conservation projects.
You study marine life and ecosystems, examine how organisms interact with their environments, and apply field research techniques. The program also looks at key threats to marine habitats and the role of research in ecosystem management. You collect, analyze, and present data, gaining both practical skills and scientific understanding.
Cost: $1,995
Location: Roger Williams University, Bristol, RI
Dates: Session 1: July 6 - July 12; Session 2: July 13 - July 19; Session 3: July 20 - July 26; Session 4: July 27 - August 2; Session 5: August 3 - August 9.
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-17 with an interest in the aquatic sciences are eligible to apply.
Roger Williams University – Summer Marine Biology Camp is set along the southern New England coast and uses coastal environments as outdoor classrooms. You study marine ecosystems, food webs, ocean productivity, and current topics in marine biology through a mix of fieldwork and lab activities.
You learn sampling and observation techniques, explore habitats by kayak and snorkel, and take part in excursions like whale-watching off Cape Cod. Lab sessions include hands-on work in plankton analysis, aquaculture, and marine organism identification.
Cost: General: $480; Active CMA Members: $435. Need-based financial aid is available
Location: Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Clearwater, FL
Dates: Session I: June 9 - June 13, Session II: June 23 - June 27, Session III: July 21 - July 25.
Application Deadline: Applications open on January 27 and are accepted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-18 are eligible to apply.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium – Advanced Marine Biology Summer Camp is a full-day camp that introduces high school students to marine biology through interactive experiments and practical activities. You study core concepts of marine science and apply them in real-world settings.
The camp includes a scuba diving session in a controlled pool using professional gear, visits to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and a nearby nature park, and guided observation of marine life and conservation work. You also take part in two kayaking and two snorkeling excursions to explore the local estuarine ecosystem.
Cost: Day Camp: $1,100 per week | Residential Camp: $2,950 per week
Location: Tabor Academy, Marion, MA
Dates: Day Camp Session 1: July 28 - August 2, Day Camp Session 2: August 4 - August 9, Residential Camp Session 1: July 27 - August 3, Residential Camp Session 2: August 3 - August 10
Application Deadline: Applications open on January 15 and close two weeks before the start of the program or when spaces fill (whichever comes first).
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 8-12 are eligible to apply.
Tabor Academy – Summer Marine Science Camp is offered as a day or overnight program with two sessions: one in marine biology and the other in oceanography and marine technology. Each week covers different lessons, labs, and field trips based on the session’s focus. You study at Tabor Academy’s Marine and Nautical Science Center and work with experienced marine science instructors.
Activities include field trips to Cape Cod, whale watching at Stellwagen Bank, kayaking, snorkeling, fishing, and sampling ocean water. You also design research projects using professional marine science tools and observe marine life in different coastal environments.
Cost: $660
Location: Ocean Institute, Dana Point, CA
Dates: July 14 – July 18
Application Deadline: Applications open on March 17 and are accepted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-17 are eligible to apply.
Ocean Institute – Marine Science Careers + Internship Academy is a week-long summer camp that introduces intertidal ecology, animal husbandry, lab research, and shipboard investigation. You take part in hands-on activities like a sail aboard the Spirit of Dana Point and a research cruise on the R/V Sea Explorer.
The program includes developing and presenting a research project in the Dana Point Marine Conservation Area. You also receive help with writing resumes, cover letters, and preparing for internships or careers in marine science. The camp includes leadership and team-building sessions as part of the experience.
Cost: Member: $450 | Non-member: $500. Need-based financial aid is available.
Location: Seacoast Science Center, Rye, NH
Dates: Session A: July 14 - July 18; Session B: July 28 - August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12 are eligible to apply.
Seacoast Science Center – Marine Biology Camp is a one-week program for high school students in grades 9 through 12 who are interested in marine science. The camp combines hands-on research with outdoor exploration. You study fish identification, crustaceans, echinoderms, and ocean plastics.
You also test water quality, conduct tide pool research, and collect data in the field. Activities include kayaking or snorkeling, plus visits to the UNH Marine Lab and a Gulf of Maine boat trip. The camp admits 12 students per session and offers financial aid for those who qualify.
Cost: $6,650. Limited need-based financial aid is available
Location: Toyon Bay, Santa Catalina Island, Los Angeles County, CA
Dates: Session I: June 8 - June 27; Session II: June 29 - July 18; Session III: July 20 - August 8
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-17 are eligible to apply
Catalina Sea Camp offers a three-week marine biology session where you choose activities based on your interests. You submit preferences before arrival and repeat those activities during the session to build skills. The Intro to Marine Biology course is taught by an instructor with a marine science background. You take part in hands-on activities that cover key concepts and explore the behavior and diversity of marine organisms.
Cost: One-Week Sessions: $2300 per session; Two-Week Sessions: $5050 per session. Need-based financial aid is available
Location: Seacamp, Big Pine Key, FL
Dates: Session 1: June 25 - July 9; Session 2: July 12 - July 26; Session 3: July 29 - August 3; Session 4: August 4 - August 9.
Application Deadline: Applications open on December 1 and are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply
Seacamp focuses on marine science, providing high school students with hands-on learning experiences. The program introduces ecological concepts through flexible 21-hour courses, which you can select based on your interests, age, and previous attendance. Fieldwork is central to all courses, including labs, kayaking, snorkeling trips, and wading.
Classes are taught by instructors with marine science degrees, and courses are available at various levels. Guest speakers share insights from ongoing research. Campers can attend one- or two-week residential sessions.
Cost: $1,799. Need-based financial aid is available
Location: Skyline Marina, Anacortes, WA
Cohort size: 6 students.
Dates: Session I: June 16 - 20; Session II: July 28 - August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18 years are eligible to apply.
Guardians of the Sea is a five-day marine science and conservation camp in the San Juan Islands, departing from Anacortes, Washington. You will participate in fieldwork, including boat trips, species identification, and island exploration. You'll study eelgrass meadows, forage fish, harbor seals, and seabirds while learning about the ecological balance of the Salish Sea.
The curriculum also includes a visit to the Center for Whale Research, beach clean-ups, and use of scientific tools like hydrophones, binoculars, and microscopes. The program promotes environmental stewardship and deepens your understanding of marine ecosystems.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research in marine biology, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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