Education for sustainable development (ESD) was explored through a stakeholder approach in the context of two ship youth programmes from an Asia-Pacific region perspective. Specifically, the research examined challenges and opportunities of holistically integrating ESD into an informal social learning setting. Utilising Skype, semi-structured interviews of the main stakeholders of the programme, triangulated with secondary sources provided the data for analysis of a qualitative, multiple case study. Results highlighted two identified themes reflecting the challenges and opportunities if ESD is to be incorporated into the ship youth programmes – stakeholder dynamics: stakeholder role and responsibility, diversity, social network building, investment and social capital; and complexities in understanding Sustainable Development: SD dimensions through discussion topics, language, concept and context, moving from awareness to action, sustainability reporting, standards, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and sustainable future from youths’ interest, commitment and vision. The ship youth programmes present an opportunity to embrace concepts entrenched in sustainable development and have an enormous potential to extend frameworks and aspects of action competence leading to education for a sustainable future.