Beginner freediving student diving underwater during a course in Koh Samui, Thailand
5.0 from Students

Apnea Total Level 1 Certification

Go from Zero to 20 Meters in 3 Days

The beginner freediving course that starts in a beach club and ends with you diving Sail Rock on a single breath. Max 3 students. All equipment included. No experience needed.

Check Available Dates — 9,500 THB Ask Diego a Question
3 Days Mon to Wed
3 Max Students Per Course
Sail Rock Training Site
O2 On Every Boat

"I went from nervous to 20 meters in 3 days. Diego takes time for each participant and gives constructive feedback after every dive."

— Jonas, Germany

This Course Is for You If

You have never freedived before and want to learn properly — not rushed through a factory course

You are a scuba diver ready to experience the ocean without a tank, on a single breath

You want a small group where the instructor stays within arm's reach on every dive

You want to train at Sail Rock and Koh Tao — the best dive sites in the Gulf of Thailand

You want an internationally recognized certification without paying resort school prices

Safety matters to you — emergency O2, first aid certified instructor, proper protocols

No experience needed. If you can swim 200 meters and are comfortable in open water, you are ready.

Your 3 Day Schedule

Every day builds on the one before. You start with theory and breathing at Crystal Bay Beach Club, then move to open water dives at Sail Rock and Koh Tao.

01

Theory and Breathing

Day 1 — Crystal Bay Beach Club

  • > Freediving physiology — how your body responds to depth and pressure
  • > Breathing techniques for relaxation and longer breath holds
  • > Frenzel equalization — dry practice until it clicks
  • > Your first breath hold exercises and static practice
  • > Body position, streamlining, and finning technique
  • > Safety protocols and buddy system introduction

By the end of Day 1 you will understand equalization, breathing, and feel ready for the ocean.

02

First Open Water Dives

Day 2 — Sail Rock or Koh Tao

  • > Speedboat to the dive site — no ferry, no crowds
  • > Your first duck dive and descent on the line
  • > Equalization at depth with real time coaching from Diego
  • > Free immersion and constant weight technique
  • > Buddy system practice and basic rescue skills
  • > Gradual depth progression based on your comfort level

Most students hit 10 to 15 meters on Day 2. Diego stays within arm's reach the entire time.

03

Deep Dives and Certification

Day 3 — Sail Rock or Koh Tao

  • > Deeper dives — most students reach 15 to 20 meters
  • > Technique refinement and personal feedback after every dive
  • > Rescue from depth scenario and safety assessment
  • > Fun dives to explore the dive site — barracuda, batfish, reef life
  • > Final skills assessment and certification
  • > Apnea Total Level 1 — you are a certified freediver

You leave with a certification, underwater photos, and the confidence to freedive anywhere.

Book This Course — 9,500 THB
Freediving instructor with students in the water during a beginner course in Koh Samui

Everything Is Included

9,500 THB covers everything. No hidden fees. No gear rental surcharges. Just bring swimwear and sunscreen.

All Equipment

Wetsuit, mask, long fins, weight belt, dive computer, and lanyard. Professional grade gear, fitted to you.

Apnea Total Level 1 Certification

Internationally recognized. Comparable to AIDA 2, SSI Level 1, and PADI Freediver.

Boat Trips to Dive Sites

Speedboat to Sail Rock and Koh Tao. No ferry, no crowds. Direct from Koh Samui.

Photos and Videos

Underwater footage of your dives. Review your technique and share the experience.

Theory Materials

Digital course materials covering physiology, equalization, safety, and everything from the classroom.

Emergency Safety Equipment

Emergency O2, first aid kit, and a certified instructor on every open water session. Not every school in Thailand does this.

Your Instructor

Diego Pauel

Apnea Total Instructor Oxygen Advantage Breatheology O2 and First Aid

Teaching freediving from Koh Samui since 2021. Diego keeps courses to a maximum of 3 students because he believes rushed instruction produces nervous divers.

His approach is grounded, patient, and focused on what actually works in the water. You get clear technique coaching, honest feedback after every dive, and an instructor who stays within arm's reach the entire time.

"The patience, knowledge, passion, and kindness. He helped me overcome my fears underwater."

— Dominique

Full Bio Book with Diego
Diego Pauel, Apnea Total certified freediving instructor in Koh Samui
Your Safety Comes First

How This Course Is Different

3 Students, Not 8

Most schools in Thailand run 6 to 8 students per instructor. With 3, Diego stays within arm's reach during every dive. You get personal coaching, not crowd management.

Emergency O2 on Every Boat

Diego holds certifications in emergency first aid and oxygen administration. O2 equipment is on board for every single open water session. Not every school does this.

No Pressure to Perform

Depth is never forced. If you need more time at a certain level, the course adjusts to you. The goal is a confident diver, not a number on a depth gauge.

Koh Samui Base, Best Dive Sites

Train at Sail Rock and Koh Tao by speedboat. Stay on Koh Samui with better accommodation and restaurants. Skip the 2 hour ferry each way that Koh Tao courses require.

Happy freediving student at a buoy after completing a dive in Koh Samui

What Students Say

5.0 Rating
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

What Happens After

Your Apnea Total Level 1 certification is recognized worldwide. After the course you can freedive independently, join fun dive trips, or continue to the Advanced Course (Level 2) to push past 20 meters with Frenzel mastery and exhale dives.

Fun Dives

Join guided fun dives at Sail Rock and Koh Tao with depth coaching.

4,500 THB/person

Advanced Course

Push deeper with exhale dives, advanced Frenzel, and mouthfill technique.

12,000 THB

Spearfishing

Full day spearfishing charter in the Samui archipelago with all gear.

From 24,000 THB

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need experience to take this course? +
No prior experience is required. You just need to be comfortable swimming in open water. Day 1 covers all theory and breathing techniques before you enter the water.
What depth will I reach? +
Most students reach 15 to 20 meters by Day 3. Your progression depends on your equalization and comfort level. Diego adjusts the pace to each student.
What equipment do I need to bring? +
Nothing. All freediving equipment is provided including wetsuit, mask, fins, weight belt, and dive computer. Just bring swimwear and sunscreen.
How fit do I need to be? +
You do not need to be an athlete. If you can swim 200 meters comfortably and tread water for 10 minutes, you are ready. Freediving is more about relaxation than fitness.
Can I take the course if I only scuba dive? +
Absolutely. Many students come from scuba diving backgrounds. Freediving is a completely different experience and the skills complement each other well.
What certification do I get? +
You receive an Apnea Total Level 1 certification, recognized internationally. It is comparable to AIDA 2, SSI Level 1, and PADI Freediver certifications.
How does this compare to freediving courses on Koh Tao? +
You train at the same dive sites — Sail Rock and Koh Tao — but you stay on Koh Samui with better accommodation and restaurants. Groups are maximum 3 students instead of the typical 6 to 8, and you skip the 2 hour ferry each way.
What if I cannot equalize on the first day? +
Equalization is the most common challenge and Diego works through it patiently. Day 1 is dedicated to dry practice so you build the skill before going deep. The course adjusts to your pace — depth is never forced.

Have a question that is not listed here?

Ask Diego Pauel on WhatsApp

Choose Your Experience

Same certification. Same dive sites. Pick the group size that suits you.

Group

9,500 THB/person

~€250 · ~$270

Up to 3 students

Private Duo

23,000 THB

~€610 · ~$655 total · 11,500 THB/person

Private 1-on-1

18,000 THB

~€475 · ~$515 · Exclusive personal coaching

Live right now

Sail Rock this week

7-day forecast for the training site. Wind, waves, visibility, tide — scored for freediving conditions.

Live 7-Day Conditions — Sail Rock
SST ~30.6°C
Mon
18 May
31
poor
37km/h W
0.7m
Tue
19 May
42
marginal
35km/h W
0.6m
Wed
20 May
43
marginal
29km/h SW
0.6m
Thu
21 May
49
marginal
29km/h SW
0.5m
Fri
22 May
42
marginal
30km/h SW
0.5m
Sat
23 May
47
marginal
27km/h SW
0.5m
Sun
24 May
47
marginal
28km/h SW
0.5m
Scored for freediving · wind · waves · swell · currents · rain-viz Full forecast → · Log your dive
Full 7-day view →

Book Your Course

From 9,500 THB

~€250 · ~$270

3 Days. Group or Private. All Equipment. Certification. Boat Trips. Photos.

No Hidden Fees Flexible Rescheduling Secure Payment

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