Freediving Class on Panglao Island: Pool and Ocean Training

Breathe, dive, and swim with sardines in one day

A full-day freediving class on Panglao Island teaches breath control and underwater movement in a pool, then takes you to Napaling reef to dive alongside the sardine run. Professional instructors guide you through both sessions at your own pace, with all equipment and certification materials provided. No prior experience needed. Children from age 10 are welcome.

What’s included

• All freediving equipment including wetsuit, fins, weight belt and mask.
• certification fees.
• study materials.
• professional instruction in English throughout both pool and ocean sessions.

Times

• Every day 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00

Before you book

Group Up to 3

Live guide English

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Ages Adult (18 to 49 years) · Senior (50 to 60 years) · Youth (16 to 17 years) · Child (12 to 15 years) · Infant (10 to 11 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds No refund if you cancel. It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Stroller-friendly Pets welcome Public transport nearby Not recommended with heart problems Infants must sit on laps

Operated by Freedive Academy Panglao

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

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Traveler reviews

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The experience

Panglao Island holds some of the world's best freediving conditions, and this class uses both pool and ocean to build your skills from the ground up. The morning starts in a controlled pool environment where you learn breathing techniques, breath-holding and safe underwater movement with an instructor watching your form. That foundation matters: it's what makes the afternoon ocean dive feel manageable rather than overwhelming, even if you've never held your breath underwater before.

The afternoon takes you to Napaling reef, where the real draw is the sardine run: thousands of fish moving as one organism around you. You'll freedive (no tanks, no air bubbles) through that scene, moving at your own pace and surfacing whenever you need to. The reef itself is full of color and structure, but the sardines are what people remember. An English-speaking guide stays with the group throughout both sessions, and all equipment (wetsuit, fins, weight belt, mask) comes with the class.

Everything is designed around comfort and pacing rather than pushing limits. The class welcomes total beginners and families with children from age 10 onward. Certification fees and study materials are included in the price, so there's no surprise cost at the end of the day.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (16 to 17 years); Child (12 to 15 years); Infant (10 to 11 years). Children under 10 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What's the sardine run at Napaling reef actually like when you're freediving through it?

The sardine run is a massive school of fish that moves as a coordinated unit around the reef. When you freedive through it, you're swimming alongside thousands of fish at once. They create a living, shifting wall of silver. The reef itself is colorful and full of structure, but the sheer density and movement of the sardines is what makes the moment distinct.

Do I need any freediving experience to join this class?

No experience is required. The class is designed for total beginners and teaches everything from breathing technique to underwater movement in the pool before you ever enter the ocean. The instructor adjusts the pace to your comfort level throughout both sessions.

How does the pool session prepare you for the ocean dive?

The pool is where you learn breath control, how to hold your breath safely, and how to move underwater efficiently. Those skills make the afternoon ocean dive feel controlled and manageable rather than chaotic, even on your first time freediving in the sea.

What equipment do I need to bring, and what's provided?

All freediving equipment is included: wetsuit, fins, weight belt, mask and any other gear you need for the day. Bring a towel, sunscreen and a change of clothes. Everything else is supplied by the class.