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One Breath. One Dive. No Limits.

Learn to Freedive in Koh Samui

Small Group Courses. Sail Rock and Koh Tao. Certification in 3 Days.

3 Students Max
Sail Rock Training Site
2021 Teaching Since
O2 On Every Boat

Go from zero experience to certified freediver in 3 days. Train at Sail Rock and Koh Tao with Diego Pauel, Apnea Total certified instructor, in groups of no more than 3. Stay on Koh Samui. Skip the ferry. Dive the best sites in the Gulf of Thailand.

"I went from nervous to 20 meters in 3 days." — Jonas, Germany

Your 3 Day Course

1

Theory & Breathing

Freediving physiology, breathing techniques, and equalization theory at Crystal Bay Beach Club. Confined water session in the afternoon.

2

Open Water at Sail Rock

Speedboat to Sail Rock. Your first real depth dives with line training, duck dive coaching, and rescue technique practice.

3

Depth & Certification

Push deeper at Koh Tao. Final depth assessment, fun dives with marine life, and your Apnea Total certification.

Freediving Courses

Discovery Freediving in Koh Samui
Try It

Discovery Freediving

2 Days, Any 2 Days

The same training as the Beginner Course without the final certification day. Two days of theory, breathing, and open water dives at Sail Rock or Koh Tao.

No experience needed. Same as Level 1 without the certification day.

Beginner Freediving Course in Koh Samui
Level 1

Beginner Freediving Course

3 Days, Mon to Wed

Go from your first breath hold to diving 15 to 20 meters in 3 days. You will learn equalization, duck diving, and rescue skills in a group of no more than 3 students.

No experience needed. All equipment and certification included.

9,500 THB Check Dates
Advanced Freediving Course in Koh Samui
Level 2

Advanced Freediving Course

3 Days, Mon to Wed

Take your freediving deeper with Frenzel equalization mastery, exhale dives, and advanced breathing techniques. Train at Sail Rock and Koh Tao with individual depth coaching.

Requires Level 1 or equivalent certification. All equipment included.

12,000 THB Check Dates
Fun Dives and Coaching in Koh Samui
Experience

Fun Dives and Coaching

Half Day, Tue/Wed (Sail Rock), Thu (Koh Tao)

Spend a morning freediving Sail Rock or Koh Tao with personalized depth coaching. See barracuda, batfish, and sometimes whale sharks on a single breath.

For certified freedivers. All equipment included.

4,500 THB/person Check Availability

Every Course Includes

All Equipment

Certification

Photos & Videos

Boat Trips

Emergency O2

Why Freediving Koh Samui

Max 3 Students. Always.

Most schools pack 6 to 8 students per instructor. Here, your technique gets corrected on every single dive. Your instructor knows your name, your limits, and your equalization issues by Day 2.

Safety is Not Optional

Emergency oxygen on every boat. First aid certified instructor within arm's reach on every dive. Not every school in Thailand operates this way. This one does.

Sail Rock. Whale Sharks.

Train at the Gulf of Thailand's most spectacular dive site. A submerged pinnacle rising from 30 meters. Barracuda, batfish, and whale shark sightings between March and May.

Skip the Ferry

Same dive sites, no 2 hour ferry. Stay on Koh Samui with real restaurants, fast wifi, and hotels at every budget. Freedive in the morning. Beach bar in the evening.

Where You Will Dive

Sail Rock rising from the ocean surface in the Gulf of Thailand

Sail Rock

A submerged pinnacle in the open ocean, one hour from Koh Samui by speedboat. Warm, clear water with visibility up to 30 meters. Schools of barracuda, giant grouper, and whale sharks between March and May.

Freediver exploring underwater near Koh Tao

Koh Tao

Some of Southeast Asia's best reef diving, accessed directly from Koh Samui. Crystal clear water, warm temperatures year round, and diverse marine life from turtles to reef sharks.

Freediving student at the surface near Koh Samui island

Koh Samui

Your home base for the course. Day 1 theory takes place at Crystal Bay Beach Club before heading to open water at Sail Rock and Koh Tao on Day 2 and Day 3.

Diego Pauel, Apnea Total certified freediving instructor based in Koh Samui, Thailand
Your Freediving Instructor

Diego Pauel

Teaching freediving from Koh Samui since 2021. Apnea Total instructor with additional training in breathwork, oxygen administration, and emergency first aid. That depth of knowledge means better coaching on technique, breathing, and equalization — not just checking boxes on a certification.

Maximum 3 students because rushed instruction produces nervous divers. Clear technique coaching. Honest feedback after every dive. An instructor within arm's reach the entire time.

When students describe their experience, the word that comes up most is "safe."

Apnea Total Instructor Oxygen Advantage Breatheology First Aid & O2
More About Diego Pauel
Freediving group at surface near Koh Samui

What Students Say

5.0 from student reviews
He takes time for each participant, accompanies you every second underwater, and gives constructive feedback. I went from nervous to 20 meters in 3 days.
Jonas, Germany
Amazing what you can do in 2 days. I went from 12 meters to 20 meters and spotted a whale shark at Sail Rock.
Glynnis
The patience, knowledge, passion, and kindness. He helped me overcome my fears underwater.
Dominique

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need experience to take a freediving course? +
No prior experience is required. The Beginner Freediving Course is designed for people who have never freedived before. If you can swim comfortably in open water, you are ready. Day 1 covers all theory and breathing techniques before you enter the water.
Why choose Koh Samui over Koh Tao for freediving? +
You train at the same dive sites, including Sail Rock and Koh Tao, but you stay on Koh Samui with better restaurants, accommodation, and infrastructure. Groups are smaller (maximum 3 students), the dive sites are less crowded, and you skip the 2 hour ferry each way. Freedive in the morning, enjoy the island all evening.
How much does a freediving course cost? +
Group courses (up to 3 students): Discovery Freediving is 7,500 THB/person for 2 days, the Beginner Course (Level 1) is 9,500 THB/person for 3 days, and the Advanced Course (Level 2) is 12,000 THB/person for 3 days. Private courses are also available: Private 1-on-1 starts at 12,000 THB and Private Duo (2 people) starts at 14,000 THB. Fun dives are 4,500 THB per person. All prices include equipment rental and certification fees.
Is freediving safe? +
Freediving with a certified instructor is very safe. Every boat carries emergency oxygen. Diego holds certifications in emergency first aid and oxygen administration. The maximum group size is 3 students, so you are always closely supervised. All courses follow Apnea Total safety protocols.
What certification do I receive? +
You receive an Apnea Total certification, recognized internationally. It is comparable to AIDA, SSI, and PADI Freediver certifications and allows you to freedive at schools and dive sites worldwide.
When do courses run? +
Both the Beginner Course and the Advanced Course run Monday to Wednesday every week. Diego can teach both in the same week with different student groups. Fun dives run Tuesday and Wednesday at Sail Rock, and Thursday at Koh Tao. Message Diego on WhatsApp to check availability for your dates.

Next course starts April 6

Ready to Dive?

New courses start every Monday. Only 3 spots per session. Choose your dates, pay securely online, and your place is locked in.

Check Availability