Tue September 8th, 2026
4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET
Marine Biology for Sailors
with Gio & Julie Cappelli | Pelagic Blue Cruising
Turn the dream of sailing to the Galápagos into a well planned voyage. Learn what it really takes to prepare for one of the world’s most iconic cruising destinations.
90-Minute Live Session
On Demand Replay Available
Live Q&A
The ocean is far more complex and fascinating than the water beneath your keel. Every passage takes you through a living environment shaped by currents, temperature, seasons, and countless interactions between marine organisms. Learning to recognize these patterns can transform the way you experience time at sea.
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Marine Biology for Sailors
Online Class Overview
This online class introduces marine biology from the perspective of experienced cruisers and professional marine biologists, helping sailors better understand the world around their boats. Rather than simply memorizing species names, you’ll learn how to observe the ocean, interpret what you’re seeing, and recognize the connections between marine life, ocean conditions, and the places you sail.
From microscopic plankton that support entire food webs to whales, dolphins, seabirds, and other iconic marine animals, every encounter tells a story about the ecosystem around you. You’ll discover why wildlife gathers in certain areas, how currents and productivity shape marine habitats, and what animals can reveal about the changing conditions of the ocean.
Gio and Julie combine their backgrounds in marine science with decades of offshore sailing experience to make marine biology practical and relevant for cruisers. They’ll share the observations, stories, and scientific insights that have shaped the way they experience passages around the world.
Beyond identifying marine life, this online class is about becoming a more aware observer of the ocean. Whether you’re day sailing, coastal cruising, or crossing oceans, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the living world around your boat and learn to see every voyage through a new lens.
Who is this online class for?
This online class is designed for sailors, cruisers, and ocean enthusiasts who want to better understand the marine environment they travel through. No science background is required. Whether you’re preparing for your first coastal cruise, planning an offshore passage, or simply curious about the life surrounding your boat, you’ll learn how to recognize the ecological connections happening all around you and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for every voyage.
What Will I Learn?
In this live online class, Gio and Julie introduce the fundamentals of marine biology through the perspective of experienced cruisers and professional marine biologists. You’ll learn how to observe and interpret the ocean around you, gaining practical knowledge that enhances wildlife encounters, deepens your understanding of marine ecosystems, and helps you become a more informed and responsible steward of the sea.
List of Topics:
- The major marine ecosystems cruisers encounter around the world
- How ocean currents, temperature, and productivity create hotspots for marine life
- Reading seabirds, whales, dolphins, and other wildlife as clues about ocean conditions
- Identifying and understanding common marine animals encountered while cruising, including whales, dolphins, seals, turtles, and sharks
- Coral reefs, kelp forests, and open-ocean ecosystems
- Plankton: the foundation of life in the sea
- Bioluminescence and other fascinating ocean phenomena
- Responsible wildlife viewing and minimizing your environmental impact
- How marine biology can become another tool for understanding the ocean around your boat
Once you understand the biology behind what you’re seeing, every wildlife encounter becomes more meaningful. Learn why whales migrate where they do, why dolphins gather around your bow, and how changing ocean conditions influence the abundance of life around your boat.
SEE THE OCEAN THROUGH A NEW LENS
UNDERSTAND THE LIVING WORLD AROUND YOUR BOAT
Every voyage takes you through one of the most dynamic ecosystems on Earth. In this online class, Gio and Julie Cappelli reveal how ocean currents, marine habitats, and wildlife are all connected, helping sailors recognize the patterns that shape life at sea. You’ll begin seeing every passage as more than a route—it becomes an opportunity to better understand the ocean itself.
READ NATURE LIKE AN EXPERIENCED CRUISERREAD NATURE LIKE AN EXPERIENCED CRUISER
Whales, dolphins, seabirds, turtles, and even microscopic plankton can reveal valuable information about changing ocean conditions. Learn why marine life gathers where it does, how productivity and currents influence wildlife encounters, and how experienced sailors use these natural clues to better understand the waters they’re sailing through.
MAKE EVERY PASSAGE MORE MEMORABLE
The more you understand marine biology, the richer every sailing experience becomes. Whether you’re coastal cruising, crossing oceans, or simply enjoying a weekend sail, this online class will deepen your appreciation for the incredible ecosystems surrounding your boat while teaching responsible ways to observe and protect the wildlife that makes every voyage unforgettable.
Your Hosts
GIO & JULIE CAPPELLI
Gio and Julie Cappelli are the founders of Pelagic Blue, where they help sailors develop the seamanship and self-reliance to cruise safely and independently. Former marine biologists turned full-time cruisers and USCG licensed Masters, they have each sailed more than 40,000 ocean miles, including voyages to the Galápagos, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaiʻi, Easter Island, and beyond. Both are graduates of Skagit Valley College’s Marine Maintenance Technology program and hold ABYC and NMEA technical certifications, bringing together expertise in marine science, vessel systems, and offshore sailing. Drawing on this unique combination of experience, they lead hands-on sail training expeditions and teach cruising skills through seminars, workshops, and online courses. They also continue the offshore training legacy of John Neal, leading Mahina Expeditions’ sail training expeditions and offshore cruising seminars. From passage planning and vessel systems to marine ecosystems and at-sea problem-solving, Gio and Julie share practical, experience-based instruction that helps aspiring cruisers prepare for safe, self-sufficient voyaging aboard their own boats.
Online Class Registration
Tuesday, September 8th
@ 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET (90 min)
Regular Price
$39
ASA Member Price
$29
On-Demand Access
All registrations include unlimited on-demand access to the recordings of the live online class. So if you are unable to attend live you can still register and watch at your leisure.
ASA MEMBER DISCOUNT
American Sailing Members can claim their discount in the Member Portal. If you’re not a current member then for only $59/year you can join or renew today!