Recommended
Freediving Schools

Women-led freediving excellence in Bali

Apnea Bali is one of Southeast Asia's most respected freediving centres, built and led primarily by women. Based in Amed — Bali's crystal-clear freediving mecca — the school has earned a reputation for exceptional teaching standards and a uniquely welcoming atmosphere. Their women's retreat programmes are internationally recognised, drawing students from across Asia and Europe. The house reef drops sharply to 40m, and the marine life (including the famous USAT Liberty wreck) is extraordinary. Apnea Bali offers AIDA and Molchanovs certifications up to instructor level, and their approach to breathwork and yoga-informed relaxation technique sets them apart.

Train with a world champion in the Philippines

Camotes Freediving is the school of Thibault Ciccione — AIDA World Champion and one of the most accomplished competitive freedivers of his generation. Located on the pristine Camotes Islands in Cebu, the school offers some of the most advanced depth coaching available anywhere in the world. Training with Thibault means learning technique from the inside: the nuances of the freefall, mouthfill equalization under pressure, and the mental frameworks that separate good freedivers from elite ones. The Camotes site features excellent visibility, calm protected waters, and a community atmosphere that draws serious athletes from across Asia and Europe. Courses fill quickly — booking well in advance is recommended.

Technique-first freediving education

Kaizen Freediving, founded by Sergei Minaev in Amed, Bali, takes a precision-engineering approach to freediving education. Kaizen (Japanese for 'continuous improvement') is the philosophy here — every dive is analysed, every inefficiency addressed. Sergei's method draws on biomechanics, hydrodynamics, and detailed video review to help students identify and eliminate the technical flaws that limit depth. The school attracts intermediate and advanced freedivers who have plateaued and want to break through. The Amed site — shared with Apnea Bali — offers some of the best depth training conditions in Asia: calm, warm water with excellent visibility and a reef that drops to beyond training depths.

Structured depth progression for independent freedivers

Autonomous Training operates across two sites — Freediving Amed for open water depth work and Superhome for pool and dryland conditioning — offering a uniquely comprehensive training environment. The concept is built around empowering freedivers to understand their own physiology and training needs, rather than relying entirely on instructor-led sessions. Programmes are structured around multi-week camps where students follow a periodised depth progression, with coached sessions and independent practice days alternating. This model suits dedicated freedivers who want to make significant depth gains over a concentrated period. The dual Amed/Superhome setup means students can work on static apnea, CO₂ tables, and breathwork on off-water days — making every day of the camp productive.