Freediving in the Philippines: Freediving Schools, Online Community, Shops, and Gears that you SHOULD know

Sometimes, all we need is to say yes.

I already shared my first freediving experience here on the blog, and I mentioned that my boyfriend invited me to try freediving. It was a memorable experience, and I’m happy (until now) that I said YES to his invitation.

Through freediving, I experienced a lot of wonderful memories and feelings that I hadn’t experienced before. Underwater is a beautiful scenery, and it gives a different feeling each time I glimpse marine life. All I want is to stay for a much longer time with every dive. Just one breath and I feel perfectly amazing!

I enjoy freediving so much, and I do it every time I am available on weekends. Sometimes, we go on a freediving trip with my friends. The good thing is that the Philippines has a stunning marine ecosystem, and there are thousands of islands to explore.

Nowadays, freediving is one of the must-try activities in Cebu, and a lot of my friends are asking about where to have classes, what gear to buy, etc. And so, I created this list for them, and for those who are thinking of trying freediving here in the Philippines.

Where to get a Freediving Course/Certification in the Philippines?

Freediving School has different rates. Check out their respective Facebook pages and websites for more details and updates.

P.S. Some of them offer special rates and promos.

Remember, always train with certified freediving instructors.

Luzon:

• APNEA Philippines – Apnea Philippines provides Freediving Classes, Courses, and Training by licensed Freediving instructors. They are mainly based in Batangas and travel all over the Philippines to make Freediving accessible and affordable for Filipinos. They offer PADI certifications.
• ManuMano Freedive Training Center –  ManuMano Freedive Training Center is the first Filipino-operated AIDA Freediving Center offering Freediving Courses in Metro Manila or Batangas, Philippines. They offer AIDA courses and certification.
• Seazoned Philippines –  They offer diving events in the beautiful reefs of the Philippines to promote Freediving and Skindiving through basic education, safety, and ecotourism. They also have an AIDA certification available. Seazoned Philippines is based in Manila.
• Freediving Dimension – Freediving Dimension is your freediving center in El Nido. They offer freediving courses and training from beginner to advanced. For more details, check their website.
• Azul Freediving – Azul Freediving is a RAID Freediving Center located in Batangas and Manila. The main goal of Azul Freediving is to teach self-confidence and trust. Teaching freediving to non-swimmers up to advanced freedivers.

Visayas:

• Orca Freedivers Philippines – I learned freediving from Orca Freedivers Philippines. They offer AIDA certification and conduct intro classes mostly in Mactan, Cebu. They also offered classes in Cagayan de Oro and other parts of the Philippines.
• FIM freedivers – FIM freedivers is a freediving & yoga school that not only focuses on helping you become better freedivers, but also helps you become your best self. FIM Freedivers offers PADI and AIDA certification, mostly conducted in Mactan or Moalboal in Cebu.
• Pacific Blue Freediving – Pacific Blue Freediving will take you to your next underwater adventure. It offers intro classes and freediving courses by our licensed freediving RAID instructor right on the Island of Cebu. They offer RAID certification in Mactan, Cebu.
• Freedive Panglao –  Freedive Panglao wants you to experience the underwater world of the Philippines. They offer Professional Freediving courses and training in the turquoise waters of Panglao Island, Bohol.

Mindanao:

• Palaka Siargao Dive Center – It is an International Diving and Freediving School, specialized in teaching PADI scubadiving courses and AIDA freediving courses, for beginners and experienced divers.

What basic freediving gear to buy?

Freediving Low Volume Mask

Choose a mask that fits your face properly. These are the following features to consider:

• Low volume- for easier equalization.
• Comfort- it should fit the shape of your face so that it will be comfortable when being compressed.
• Clear lenses- to allow your buddy to see your eyes and check your condition.
• Nose pocket – The nose pocket enables you to equalize the air in the mask. This is to prevent mask squeeze.

Freediving Snorkels

Freediving snorkels should be as simple as possible. Features you should look for:

• Soft silicone mouthpiece-  make sure that it is comfortable so you don’t notice it in your mouth.
• Medium-rigid – Not too flexible and not too rigid, just somewhere in between would be great.
• Simple – It could be straight or slightly curved bore
• Buoyancy – Add a floater to avoid losing your snorkel. Also, check what it means to attach it to your mask.o

Freediving Fins

There are 3 different types of blades for the freediving fins:

• Plastic – Durable and Affordable. Good for beginners.
• Carbon Fiber – Fragile and a bit expensive. Good for deep divers.
• Fiberglass – Just like Carbon Fiber, it is Fragile and a bit expensive. Often used in spearfishing too.

List of Freediving Online Shops you can check

• Badfish – They have everything you need
• Divers Point – Diving Gears
• Freedive PH – Freediving gears.
• Scuba Store / Dive Inn – Diving gears

Freediving Facebook Community you can join

• Dive ta Bai!– Is a community of freedivers in Cebu advocating standards of safety and disciplines in Freediving while ensuring the safety and preservation of marine life. They have other groups from different places in the Philippines.
  • Dive ta Bai! – BOHOL
  • Dive ta Bai! – CDO
  • Dive ta Bai! – DAVAO
  • Dive ta Bai! – DIPOLOG
  • Dive ta Bai! – GENSAN
  • Dive ta Bai! – ILIGAN
  • Dive ta Bai! – SURIGAO CITY

• Sawum Freedivers – Friendly and casual group of freediving hobbyists who get together to dive on the weekends in Cebu.
• Manila Freedivers – Philippine freediving community. Open to all!
• Iloilo freedivers – Meeting point for Iloilo freedivers, dive coaches, gear sale, buddy search, upcoming events, and any questions you might have about freediving in the area.
• Freediving Boracay – This group is a meeting point for freedivers in Boracay. If you are looking for a dive buddy, giving a lesson, or selling a snorkel, then feel free to post it in this group.

Pin for later!

Hope you will try Freediving, and I wish this list can help you do that! 

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post does contain affiliate links that I earn a small commission for, but they come at NO extra cost to you! Any purchases you make through my links help keep the site running (and help me feed to survive ? ). Still and the same, like I’ve mentioned above, I only recommend brands that I personally use or believe in. Thanks in advance for your support!