9 Marine Biology Internships for High School Students in Florida

If you're a high school student in Florida interested in marine biology, joining a local internship can help you gain real field experience. Florida’s long coastline, marine labs, and conservation centers make it a strong location for hands-on programs that focus on ocean life, ecosystems, and research.

These marine biology internships can help you explore careers, work with scientists, and build technical skills in areas like data collection, species tracking, water testing, or habitat restoration. Some are held at aquariums or research stations, while others focus on conservation or education.

Here are 9 marine biology internships for high school students in Florida!

1. Internships at Dolphin Research Center

Cost: No cost
Location: Dolphin Research Center, Grassy Key, FL
Application Deadline: Winter Term: October 1 | Spring Term: February 1 | Fall Term: June 15
Program Dates: Winter Term: January – April | Summer Term: May – August | Fall Term: September – December
Eligibility: High school students who are comfortable with English, physically fit, and can lift 50 pounds and work outdoors

The Dolphin Research Center is a facility that has been studying and caring for dolphins and other marine creatures for over 35 years. These internships typically last between 16 and 18 weeks and offer opportunities in various fields such as research, animal care and training, education, IT, visual communications, and medical departments. Your tasks will include working alongside staff, observing and studying animals, gathering and organizing data, and learning how to communicate your findings. You will also explore various careers in marine science, helping you develop skills and learn more about sea animals, which can support your path toward a career in marine biology.

2. Ladder Internship Program

Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). 
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!

Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.

3. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program

Location: Various locations across the U.S. (Hutton aims to match students within a 45-minute commute of their home)
Cost: No cost; $3,000 stipend provided
Program Dates: 8 weeks in the summer; exact start dates vary
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors aged 16 and above by the start of the internship

The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program is a paid summer internship that offers 8 weeks of work with a fisheries expert in your area. As a Hutton Scholar, you’ll be matched with a local professional mentor to gain hands-on experience in freshwater or marine environments. Your tasks might involve fish sampling, water testing, or snorkeling. Based on your mentor’s project, you could work in labs, offices, on boats, or out in the field. At the end of the program, you get to travel to the University of Arkansas for the Hutton Scholars Summit, and all costs for the trip are covered.

4. Pre-College Program at Eckerd: Marine Science

Location: Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL
Cost: $2,100
Program dates: Session I: June 8 – 13 | Session II: June 15 – 20
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders; students must pass a swimming test.

Eckerd College's Pre-College Marine Science Program is among the leading marine science programs in the U.S. For a week, students collaborate with faculty on diverse field and lab activities spanning marine biology, chemistry, geology, and ecology. Located on the Gulf of Mexico, the program emphasizes water-based experiences like collecting sediment cores, identifying marine invertebrates, and observing coastal wildlife. Daily activities include deploying hydrophones to record underwater sounds, sampling plankton, and photographing dolphins. Though not an internship, this pre-college program provides college-level instruction and hands-on marine bio lab and field experience.

5. MarineLab High School Student Internship

Location: Marine Lab, Key Largo, FL
Cost: Free; 15$/hr stipend provided
Program Dates: June 1 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors in high school; Monroe County residents; Applicants must be strong swimmers

The MarineLab High School Internship program provides high school students with the opportunity to support instructors in delivering immersive marine science education through snorkeling trips, camp activities, and educational programs. As an intern, you'll play a key role in the Summer Camp program by helping with lab setups, organizing games, and supporting maintenance activities. By working alongside experienced instructors, you'll develop practical marine science skills and contribute to enriching the learning experiences of local students. 

6. Indian River County Junior Scientist Fellows Program

Location: Indian River Lagoon, FL
Cost: Not Specified
Program Dates: September – February. Click here for more details.
Application Deadline: Typically mid-August. Click here for more details.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in Indian River County high schools

For nearly ten years, the Land Trust has partnered with Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute to give high school students the chance to conduct research projects at the Coastal Oaks Preserve. As a student fellow, you'll investigate challenges affecting local ecosystems, focusing on the lagoon’s health and gathering key data about shorelines and animal habitats. After completing the program, you’ll have the opportunity to present your findings at FAU’s annual Indian River Lagoon Symposium, sharing your research with local experts and the wider scientific community.

7.  Florida Aquarium Teen Volunteer

Location: The Florida Aquarium, Tampa, FL
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Year-round (Junior Camp Counselor roles are available during summer and school breaks)
Application Dates: Rolling
Eligibility:

• Junior Camp Counselors: Ages 14–17

• Guest Engagement Volunteers: Ages 16+

• Animal Care, Education, and Dive Volunteers: Ages 18+

• Event Programming Volunteers: All ages (minors must be accompanied by an adult)

The Florida Aquarium provides various volunteer opportunities for teens passionate about marine life, conservation, and engaging the public. Teens can become Junior Camp Counselors in summer and seasonal camps, assisting staff in managing groups of younger children and gaining experience in marine education and camp operations. Older teens (16+) can also apply for Guest Engagement roles, where they interact with visitors, share educational information about exhibits, and promote conservation messages. Volunteers develop skills in leadership, communication, and marine science interpretation. While most teen positions are unpaid, they can offer valuable experience for those interested in careers in biology, education, or environmental science.

8.  Everglades EcoExplorers Internship

Location: Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS), Fort Lauderdale, FL
Cost: Not specified; stipend provided
Program Dates: Summer training followed by an academic year internship
Application deadline: August 29
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10–12, who attend a Broward County public high school, must be eligible to work in the U.S., attend a 40-hour orientation, and commit to working 20+ hours per month at MODS as an environmental ambassador.

The Everglades EcoExplorers internship is designed for high school students interested in environmental education and sustainability. Managed by the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS), the program begins with 40 hours of summer training and field trips. Participants will collect water samples, test water quality, and use dip and seine nets to identify freshwater and saltwater species. They will also learn to identify native plants and animals using field guides, gaining hands-on experience with Florida’s rich natural environment and its resilience issues. During the school year, you'll work at the museum, leading Everglades-themed tours, assisting with STEMobile events, and engaging with visitors.

9.  The Barrier Island Center Internship

Location: Barrier Island Sanctuary, Melbourne Beach, FL
Cost: No cost; $13/hour stipend
Program Dates: May 29 – July 31
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older who can work in the U.S., lift 50 lbs, and have their own transportation and local housing.

The Barrier Island Center Internship provides high school and college students with practical experience in environmental education and sea turtle conservation. Interns mainly support the Sea Turtle TECH summer camp for younger participants by helping deliver STEM-based lessons and outdoor activities. Their duties also include assisting with guided sea turtle walks, hatchling releases, nest excavations, maintaining educational aquariums, and helping with facility maintenance. Candidates should be self-driven, professional, and able to work in hot, humid environments.

Image Source - Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program Logo