You can explore freediving in Koh Tao with one of the many dive centers specializing in Apnea Courses. If you’re up for a challenge and want to push your limits by diving without scuba tanks, this is your chance! Koh Tao is considered one of the best places in Thailand—and even the world—for freediving. With expert instructors, stunning underwater landscapes, and a supportive diving community, it’s the perfect place to master this exciting skill. Ready to dive in with us?
Koh Tao is renowned for its crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life, making it an ideal location for freediving. There are four distinct Freediving Courses available here: Freediver, Advanced Freediver, Master Freediver, and Instructor Freediver. Each course is designed to take you deeper into the world of freediving, progressing from beginner to professional levels.
If you’re new to freediving, your first step is the Freediver Course. This course introduces you to the fundamentals of this exciting sport, which is completely different from traditional scuba diving. Freediving focuses on breath-hold diving without the use of external oxygen, relying instead on mastering your breath and body control.
The Freediver Course:
Who is it for? Perfect for beginners with little or no experience.
Duration: A comprehensive 2-day course.
Structure: The course includes two theory sessions and two in-water training sessions.
Depth: By the end of the course, you’ll be able to dive as deep as 20 meters on a single breath.
Skills: You’ll learn essential techniques such as breath-holding, relaxation, equalization, and efficient finning, all while staying safe underwater.
Safety is a Priority: Freediving schools on Koh Tao place a high emphasis on safety. Typically, there are no more than 2 or 3 students per instructor, ensuring personalized attention and constant supervision. Instructors are trained to keep a close watch on your progress, making sure you are always comfortable and safe as you learn.
As you advance through the courses, you’ll explore greater depths and more advanced techniques. Whether you’re just looking to experience freediving or aiming to become a professional, Koh Tao offers the perfect environment for this underwater adventure.
There are many dive shops offering free diving with instructor specialized in this. However, there are other options with shops totally dedicated for Free Diving. It’s up to you to choose your best option and the instructor who speak your language.
This will vary depending on the shop you choose or the level of freediving you want to try. However, prices for initial apnea courses are around 7.000 baht. This price would be for a two-day course, with theory lessons and water lessons. Besides, there should be one instructor every 3 students maximum.
Freediving is totally safe. However, it has its risk that should be taken into consideration. Even world champions and Guinness Record had had problems practicing apnea. You should always follow your instructor’s guidelines and keep yourself comfortable. This is a hobby and a challenge, so it should not be taken too far.
Freediving is often related to yoga or meditation. Therefore, you will learn more about your body and about yourself. You can concentrate and learn to breathe better, something that can be useful in stressful moments during your daily life. Many of the techniques used in freediving can be used in normal life afterward.
Freediving consists of a number of techniques to hold your breath and dive without the help of oxygen. Experience freedivers have been able to go up to 100m and rookies one can get to 20m easily. Relaxing, concentrating and knowing yourself are very important to achieve good apnea results.
You can fly after freediving. This problem exists with diving because in the bottle you’re breathing 79% of Nitrogen and 21% of oxygen if you are diving with normal air. This Nitrogen bubbles flowing around your body are the dangerous ones for flying. In freediving you’re only holding your breath, so no other air is getting into your lungs.
You cannot get decompression sickness while doing freediving. This is a sickness caused by Nitrogen, typical for classic divers. In apnea you are not breathing any other gas, so you’re completely free of all these diving related sicknesses. Your only problem would be equalising quickly to go deep.
