San Diego Freediving Courses
Freediving is one of the world’s fastest-growing water sports!
As a freediver, you’ll get to explore the world beneath the waves with nothing but a mask, fins, and the air in your lungs.
Discover how much you can explore on a single breath, and learn how to navigate the marine world with grace, power, and agility.
What’s Included in Your Freediving Courses?
We’re proud to offer a variety of freediving classes in San Diego. Our instructors are master freedivers with years of experience helping beginners and veterans develop their skills.
Each course fee includes:
- PADI certification fees
- PADI eLearning
- Classroom, Pool, and Open Water sessions
- A friendly and experienced freediving instructor
Rental gear is included in our PADI Basic Freediver and PADI Freediver courses!
Not sure whether you’ll enjoy freediving? Try our PADI Basic Freediver Course.
This is a simple, 2-Day course where you’ll get to practice freediving in a pool. Great for those who want to test the water. Suitable for ages 12 and older.
Price: $300
San Diego Freediving Classes
PADI Freediver Course
Course Duration: 3-Days
Start your adventure with the PADI Freediver Course and become a certified freediver! No previous freediving experience is required. This course will teach you the fundamental techniques of freediving.
Price: $450
Course Includes:
• Freediver Online Materials
• Certification fee
• All necessary freediving gear
Knowledge Development
Learn the basic principles of freediving with PADI online learning. Then you’ll have an instructor-led classroom session.
Pool Session
Jump into a pool and practice breath-holding techniques, including static and dynamic apnea. Our goal is to achieve 90 seconds of static apnea and 25 meters/80 feet) dynamic apnea.
Open Water Training
We’ll head out into the ocean to practice freediving in a true marine environment. The goal is to complete a minimum of 2 constant weight dives of at least 30 feet/10 meters. [Maximum 55 feet/16 meters.]
PADI Advanced Freediver Course
Course Duration: 3-Days
Course Prerequisite: Be 15 years old or older, PADI Freediver certification, or qualifying certification from other freediving certification agencies.
Ready to take your freediving skills to the next level? Our Advanced Freediver Course will help you increase your depth and expand your skills. You’ll learn advanced techniques so you can explore a greater variety of underwater environments.
Price: $500
Course Includes:
Knowledge Development
Learn advanced theory with PADI online learning, followed by an instructor-led classroom session.
Pool Session
We’ll practice stretching and relaxation techniques. Our goal is to achieve 2 minutes and 30 seconds of static apnea and 165 feet/50 meters of dynamic apnea. [Younger divers will aim for 2 minutes of static apnea and 130 feet/40 meters dynamic apnea.]
Open Water Training
We’ll complete two open water dives and practice deeper free immersion and constant weight freediving. We’ll also practice buddy procedures and rescue techniques. Our goal is to complete a constant weight dive of 66 feet/20 meters. Maximum 80 feet/24 meters. [Younger divers will aim for 50 feet/15 meters.]
PADI Master Freediver Course
Course Duration: 4-Days
Course Prerequisite: Be 18 years old or older, PADI Advanced Freediver certification, or qualifying certification from other freediving certification agencies.
Our Master Course will elevate you to an elite level of freediving. You’ll learn the most advanced techniques, and how to fine-tune your lifestyle so you can dive deeper and further than what you ever thought possible. Being a Master Freediver is the closest you’ll get to being an aquatic mammal!
Price: $750
Course Includes:
Knowledge Development
Learn about nutrition, relaxation, and advanced breathing techniques with PADI online learning and an instructor-led classroom session.
Pool Session
We’ll practice our master techniques, including no-fins dynamic apnea. Our goal is to achieve 3 minutes and 30 seconds of static apnea and 230 feet/70 meters of dynamic apnea.
Open Water Training
We’ll embark on 4 open-water training sessions. We’ll practice mouth-fill equalization and perform warm-up and workup dives for free immersion and constant weight freediving. Our goal is to complete a constant weight dive of 105 feet/32 meters (maximum 130 feet/40 meters).
FAQs
Why should I take a freediving course in San Diego?
San Diego is the perfect city to get your freediving certification–whether you’re local or visiting from out of town.
If you live in a landlocked area, you may have the option to get certified at a lake or river. But if you’re interested in exploring the ocean, it’s best to do your training in saltwater. We conduct our open-water dives in the Pacific Ocean so by the end of your course you’ll be ready to go freediving in ocean habitats around the world. Plus, San Diego is a beautiful place to visit: there’s a year-round mild climate, plenty of sunshine, and a variety of fun things to do onshore.
The water in San Diego is cooler, which makes a lot of students consider going to a warmer climate to get their freediving certification. But there are a few reasons why you might actually prefer taking a freediving course in San Diego:
- Save Time on Vacation: If you’re going to spend money on a tropical vacation, you don’t want to waste any of your precious vacation time in a pool or classroom. Get your freediving certification before you go so you can start exploring the coral reefs on Day 1 of your trip.
- World-Class Instructor: Michael Timm is a best-in-class freediving instructor with decades of experience training lifeguard dive teams, recreational and military divers alike, including Navy Seals and USMC Combat Divers. Dive California is the place to go if you want to learn from the best.
- Beautiful Diving: San Diego is a beautiful place to go freediving! When you take our course, you’ll learn all about the local kelp forests, sea lions, and reefs.
What’s the minimum age to take a freediving course?
Here are the age requirements for each freediving course:
- PADI Basic Freediver: 12 Years Old, (only private or semi-private courses and under the supervision of a legal guardian.)
- PADI FREEDIVER: 12 Years Old, (only private or semi-private courses and under the supervision of a legal guardian.)
- PADI Advanced Freediver: 15 Years Old
- PADI Master Freediver: 18 Years Old
Parental consent is required for minors.
Do I need to be in good health to take a freediving course?
For your safety, and the safety of those who dive with you, you must be in good health to take a freediving course. You’ll be asked to complete a Medical Form, Liability Release, and Statement of Understanding before your first classroom session. Speak with your doctor before you sign up.