11 Marine Biology Summer Camps for High School Students
Summer camps are a practical and affordable way for high school students to gain hands-on experience, develop valuable skills, and explore potential career paths. These camps often provide exposure to real-world work environments, mentorship from professionals, and connections that can support future academic and career goals.
For students interested in marine biology and related sciences, summer camps offer an exciting opportunity to study marine ecosystems, participate in research, and engage in conservation efforts. Many are hosted by top universities and leading organizations, making them both educational and credible.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve selected 11 marine biology summer camps for high school students that offer comprehensive, immersive experiences.
1. Acadia Institute: Advanced Marine Science Camp Program
Location: Seal Harbor, Mount Desert, Maine
Cost: $3,200 for the standard program; $3,300 for the program with college credit
Application Deadline: Rolling till seats are full
Dates:
- July 6 – July 18
- July 20 – August 1
Eligibility: Ages 15-19; 1 year of high school and high school science (with a lab component is preferred)
Acadia Institute’s Advanced Marine Science Camp is a two-week dive into ocean research. Designed for high school students aged 15–19, this pre-college program includes beach excursions, tidal pool studies, and saltwater tank creation. You'll analyze marine biodiversity, explore sand dollar embryology, and apply your learning through lab reports and field data analysis.
You’ll also enjoy fishing trips, whale watching, and water sampling. The experience ends with a family cookout and presentations. With college tours and internship discussions, this camp offers both academic preparation and exciting marine exploration on Mount Desert Island.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: High school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, created by Harvard graduate students, offers specialized programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars program is ideal for beginners eager to explore AI, machine learning, and data science. This 10-session boot camp introduces key concepts and provides hands-on experience through real-world projects.
For more advanced learners, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase offers personalized mentorship with experts from top universities. Students work on individual projects and benefit from guidance throughout the research and writing process. An added advantage is access to Veritas AI’s in-house publication team, which supports students in submitting their work to high school research journals. You can also explore examples of past student projects here.
3. Marine Biology Adventure Camp
Location: Sea Turtle Camp, North Carolina
Cost: $2,820
Application Deadline: Depends on the session you apply for
Dates: Multiple sessions available
Eligibility: Rising 9th graders – recent high school graduates
The Marine Biology Adventure Camp is a one-week coastal science program for rising 9th graders to recent grads. Campers volunteer with sea turtles at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehab Center, participate in turtle patrols, and learn marine biology firsthand. You’ll kayak through salt marshes, tour the North Carolina Aquarium, and complete conservation tasks like beach sweeps.
Daily activities include tide-pooling, dissections, and studying ocean ecosystems. The program blends science, service, and fun and culminates with a campfire luau and celebration. Participants can earn 15 hours of community service while gaining valuable marine science insights.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Starting $2,990 (financial aid is available)
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June-August), Fall (September-December), Winter (December-February), and Spring (March-June).
Eligibility:
- You must be currently enrolled in high school
- Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
- No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
Lumiere’s Research Scholar Program offers a challenging and rewarding research experience for high school students. It features one-on-one mentorship with Ph.D. mentors, allowing you to dive deeply into academic topics of your choice. During this 12-week program, participants conduct original research and produce an independent paper by the end.
Students can explore subjects ranging from data science and engineering to international relations, chemistry, and psychology. The program’s official application resources provide more information about how to apply.
5. Marine Biology Immersion Camp
Location: Sea Turtle Camp, North Carolina
Cost: $4,780
Application Deadline: Depends on the availability of slots
Dates:
- June 8 – 18
- June 29 – August 9
Eligibility: Rising 9th graders – recent high school graduates
The Marine Biology Immersion Camp offers an 11-day deep dive into marine science and turtle conservation for students. You will volunteer daily at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue Center and join nesting patrols to help protect endangered species. Campers earn 25 community service hours through turtle care, beach cleanups, and educational outreach.
Activities include kayaking, shark dissection, water quality testing, marine sampling, tide-pooling, and an optional Discover SCUBA session. With behind-the-scenes aquarium access, dune ecology lessons, and species ID exercises, this camp blends fieldwork, lab practice, and coastal exploration into a transformative experience.
6. Summer STaRS (Student Training as Research Scientists)
Location: The Salish Sea School, Anacortes, Washington State
Cost: $1,799
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions till seats are full
Dates: July 7 – July 11
Eligibility: Students who are 14-18 years of age
Summer STaRS is a five-day boat-based marine science camp designed for students passionate about research and conservation. You’ll explore the San Juan Islands, engage in data collection, conduct species surveys, and observe orcas both visually and acoustically. The program includes an overnight camping experience, night explorations, and fieldwork using professional research tools.
Topics range from bull kelp monitoring to intertidal species mapping. You’ll also learn how science can shape environmental policy. This camp offers real-world exposure to marine science careers and helps build essential skills in scientific inquiry, collaboration, and environmental awareness.
Location: The Salish Sea School, Anacortes, Washington State
Cost: $1,799
Cohort Size: Up to 6 students
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Dates:
- June 16 – June 20
- July 28 – August 1
Eligibility: Students who are 14-18 years of age
Guardians of the Sea is a five-day immersive marine science adventure for high schoolers passionate about ocean conservation. With boat trips, tide-pooling, and beach hikes, you’ll engage in hands-on exploration of eelgrass meadows, seabirds, harbor seals, and more. The program includes a camping trip on Fidalgo Island, offering an exciting overnight experience.
You will visit the Center for Whale Research and use tools like hydrophones and microscopes to study the Salish Sea. Students also complete beach cleanups and mindfulness activities to strengthen environmental stewardship. Daily lunches, snacks, and optional camping gear are provided.
8. Roger Williams University Marine Biology Camp
Location: Roger Williams University, Bristol, Rhode Island
Cost: $1,995
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Dates: Multiple sessions available
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-17
Explore marine biology firsthand with Roger Williams University’s summer Marine Biology Camp. You'll engage with the coastal ecosystems of southern New England through hands-on activities like sea kayaking, snorkeling, plankton sampling, and organism identification. Each day features opportunities to be in or on the water, complemented by lab experiments in aquaculture, shellfish ecology, and nutrient testing.
You’ll also attend expert-led seminars on topics like toxic plankton blooms, marine mammals, and overfishing. Lodging, meals, and equipment are provided. With a blend of outdoor adventure and rigorous science, this program offers high school students a dynamic introduction to marine research.
9. Caribbean Marine Biology Voyage
Location: Various locations in the Caribbean
Cost: $6,880
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions till seats are full
Dates:
- June 14 – June 30
- July 3 – July 19
- July 23 – August 8
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9-12
The Caribbean Marine Biology Voyage is an academic and adventurous experience for high school students. Living aboard a sailboat with a team of experts, you’ll earn natural science credits while exploring coral reefs, conducting marine research, and learning to dive and sail.
Your journey includes stops at six islands, where you’ll explore rainforests, volcanoes, and marine parks. Alongside exciting adventures, you’ll complete fieldwork on ocean ecology, conservation, and marine life interactions. Students receive three certifications and five service hours, with academic components accredited through Lesley University.
10. Marine Science Careers + Internship Academy Camp
Location: Ocean Institute, Dana Point, California
Cost: $660
Application Deadline: March 17
Dates: July 14 – July 18
Eligibility: Students aged 14-17
The Marine Science Careers + Internship Academy is a one-week summer experience for teens ages 14–17. Participants engage in real-world marine science by exploring intertidal ecology, conducting lab investigations, and participating in shipboard research. Camp highlights include a four-hour research cruise on the R/V Sea Explorer and sailing on the Spirit of Dana Point.
As a camper, you’ll design and conduct research in the Dana Point Marine Conservation Area. The program also focuses on career readiness, offering resume and cover letter workshops and guidance on applying for marine science internships.
11. Marine Biology Camp for High School Students
Location: Seacoast Science Center, Rye, New Hampshire
Cost: $500
Cohort Size: 12
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Dates:
- Session A: July 14 – July 18
- Session B: July 28 – August 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12
Seacoast Science Center’s Marine Biology Camp is designed for high school students curious about ocean science and eager to explore marine biology as a potential career. Over the course of one week, a small cohort of 12 students will engage in immersive, hands-on learning. Students will conduct field research, collect and identify fish offshore, analyze water quality, and study crustaceans and echinoderms.
Participants will also explore the growing issue of plastics in our oceans through structured scientific investigation. Additional experiences include tide pool research and ocean exploration through activities like kayaking or snorkeling. A highlight of the camp is a visit to the UNH Marine Lab or a boat trip into the Gulf of Maine.
Image source: Arcadia Institute of Oceanography