Blend hands-on environmental learning with outdoor adventures
Join the Wrigley Institute for USC Spring Break at the Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island! Our spring break trips are open to all USC students and combine outdoor education with environmental career and skills development.
Dates: Wednesday, March 18 – Friday, March 20
Applications for the 2026 USC Spring Break on Catalina Island are now open. Apply by Friday, February 27, 2026.
How it Works
USC Spring Break at the Wrigley Marine Science Center (WMSC) is three-day excursion at Wrigley Institute’s satellite campus on Catalina Island. Experience the natural beauty of our campus while learning how to get involved in our courses, internships, and other opportunities to help the planet!
If you have questions about this program, please contact Wrigley Institute Education Coordinator Meghan MacGregor.
USC Spring Break on Catalina Island
Spend spring break exploring Catalina Island and learning more about the USC Wrigley Marine Science Center. This immersive program gives USC students the chance to experience the island’s unique marine and coastal environments while learning how marine science and conservation work come together in real-world settings.
Students will travel by boat to Catalina Island, stay on campus, and spend their time snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, and exploring nearshore ecosystems. Through hands-on activities, informal discussions, and behind-the-scenes exposure to ongoing work at Wrigley, participants will learn how marine conservation is approached at the Wrigley Institute—from research and monitoring to education and stewardship.
This program is designed as a low-pressure, place-based introduction to marine life and conservation and is ideal for students who want to spend spring break learning outdoors in one of Southern California’s most iconic marine environments.
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Cost: $150
What’s included:
- All transportation to Catalina Island from USC’s UPC campus
- Guided activities with our staff and faculty
- On-campus dorm-style housing for 2 nights at the Wrigley Marine Science Center
- Meals during the trip
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- Snorkel and kayak in kelp forest and nearshore habitats
- Explore Catalina Island’s natural history through guided hikes
- Learn about marine conservation, research, and education efforts at Wrigley
- Experience daily life at a working marine science field station
This is an active, outdoors-focused experience with time spent both in and out of the water. Activities are structured but relaxed, with opportunities to explore, ask questions, and connect with staff and other students. The schedule may shift based on weather and ocean conditions.
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- Open to USC students of all years and majors
- No prior snorkeling, kayaking, or field experience required