Advanced Freediver Training: Unmissable Courses & Destinations
May 4, 2025
Becoming a skilled freediver opens up a world of opportunities, from exploring new depths to experiencing the ocean in its purest form. Advanced training is not just about diving deeper—it is about mastering techniques, improving your safety, and building your mental and physical resilience. All of which allows you to explore the world’s best freediving spots with ease.
By incorporating regular freediver training and courses into your lifestyle, you can refine your skills, explore specialized disciplines like monofin or no-fins freediving, and unlock your full potential. But where do you start? In this article, we explore the top courses for advanced freedivers and bucket-list-worthy destinations to explore while you train.
Why Does Advanced Freediver Training Matter?
As freedivers progress, the need for advanced freediver training becomes increasingly important. Beyond the basic skills of breath-holding and equalization, advanced training focuses on diver safety, efficiency, and mental resilience. Advanced courses also provide an opportunity to connect with the global diving community and explore new challenges and destinations together.
By participating in continual freediver training, you gain the skills to manage risks, improve your performance, and dive deeper with confidence. Training also instills a deeper respect for the ocean, encouraging you to adopt sustainable diving practices and get involved in marine conservation.
All of this makes you a safer, skilled freediver and knowledgeable ocean advocate.
Top Courses for Advanced Freedivers
The world of freediving is rich with opportunities for growth and specialization. SSI offers a range of programs to help you achieve your goals while maintaining a strong emphasis on safety and technique. Here are some of the most popular courses to take:
SSI Performance Freediver
As one of the most comprehensive courses for experienced freedivers, the SSI Performance Freediver (previously named ‘Level 3’) program is tailored for those who want to take their skills to new depths.
This course focuses on advanced ear equalization techniques, such as Frenzel and Mouthfill, which are critical for reaching depths beyond 30 meters. Additionally, participants learn to manage their psychological state during deep dives, improve lung capacity, and fine-tune recovery breathing.
SSI Freediving Instructor
For freedivers who dream of sharing their passion with others, the SSI Freediving Instructor course offers the perfect pathway. This freediver training program dives deeper into advanced safety protocols, rescue techniques, and teaching methods.
By the end of the course, participants not only become proficient freedivers but also gain the confidence and skills to mentor beginners. Becoming an instructor allows you to transform your love for freediving into a fulfilling career.
SSI Monofin
For freedivers interested in enhancing their speed and efficiency underwater, the SSI Monofin Freediving course is a game-changer. Monofin diving combines graceful dolphin-like movements with technical precision.
The course covers everything from selecting the right monofin to mastering streamlined techniques for deeper and longer dives. Monofin freediver training is particularly popular among competitive freedivers, but it also appeals to those who enjoy the elegance and power it brings to their dives.
SSI No-Fins
The SSI No Fins Freediving course introduces divers to the purest form of freediving, relying solely on body mechanics without fins. It focuses on mastering efficient movement, streamlining, and core strength while enhancing mental focus and breath-hold techniques.
This discipline is both challenging and rewarding, pushing divers to explore their physical potential. Perfect for those seeking a minimalist approach, this course refines technique and builds confidence in the water.
Top 5 Destinations for Advanced Freedivers
Looking for somewhere new to explore? Finding the perfect training grounds or new depths to conquer is an essential part of the journey! These top 5 destinations cater to those who are ready to push their limits, offering not only world-class freediver training opportunities but also stunning underwater scenery and diverse marine life.
Dahab, Egypt
Dahab is ideal for freedivers looking to dive in warm, crystal-clear waters and explore some of the most famous freediving sites in the world. Whether you are training to go deeper or aiming for longer static apnea sessions, Dahab offers a welcoming environment for improvement.
The world-renowned Blue Hole is just one of the many attractions that make Dahab a top destination for advanced freediver training. This deep underwater sinkhole offers a challenging environment for those seeking to push their depth limits. The nearby Canyon and Lighthouse dive sites are perfect for honing techniques and exploring further.
Highlights of freediving there:
- The Blue Hole’s impressive depth of 110 meters (360 feet).
- Unique underwater tunnels and the mesmerizing "Arch."
- Rich marine life, including large schools of fish, reef sharks, and rays.
Best time to go: October to April
Average water temperature: 22-28°C (72-82°F)
Kona, Hawaii
Kona, with its warm waters and impressive underwater terrain, is perfect for experienced freedivers looking for a mix of depth and marine life encounters. The area is particularly suited for those interested in exploring volcanic landscapes and interacting with large marine species.
Diving in Kona is known for its deep-water dive sites, offering a variety of underwater topographies, including lava tubes, pinnacles, and steep drop-offs. Freedivers can train here for depth progression, as well as enjoy excellent visibility. Kona also boasts a world-famous manta ray night dive.
Highlights of freediving there:
- Iconic manta ray night dives.
- Volcanic formations, including lava tubes and underwater caves.
- Vibrant reef ecosystems with tropical fish, eels, and turtles.
Best time to go: May to September
Average water temperature: 24-27°C (75-81°F)
Amed, Bali
Amed is an excellent destination for advanced freedivers who want to combine freediving with cultural experiences. Bali’s laid-back atmosphere and clear waters provide a peaceful setting for deep dives and training, while its rich cultural heritage offers a perfect balance for those looking for both adventure and relaxation.
Amed offers shallow to deep dive sites with an abundance of marine life. Its visibility and warm waters provide ideal conditions for freediver training. The underwater topography, including coral gardens and drop-offs, allows freedivers to progress their skills while experiencing the exceptional marine biodiversity that diving in Bali is known for.
Highlights of freediving there:
- The USAT Liberty Wreck in Tulamben.
- Vibrant coral gardens and impressive underwater volcanic features.
- Diverse marine life, including octopuses, cuttlefish, and reef sharks.
Best time to go: April to October
Average water temperature: 27-30°C (81-86°F)
Dean’s Blue Hole, Bahamas
Dean’s Blue Hole in the Bahamas is a must for those who are seriously pursuing deep freediving. It is particularly suited for divers who want to conquer some of the world’s deepest waters and experience one of the world’s deepest blue holes.
With a depth of 202 meters (663 feet), Dean’s Blue Hole offers unparalleled depth freediver training opportunities. The hole’s deep, vertical walls and clear blue waters provide a perfect setting for deep diving training, while the calm, clear conditions make it an optimal location for setting personal depth records.
Highlights of freediving there:
- Diving one of the world’s deepest blue holes.
- Dramatic vertical walls and pristine white sandy seabeds.
- Crystal-clear waters with excellent visibility and minimal current.
Best time to go: November to May
Average water temperature: 24-28°C (75-82°F)
Nice, France
If you long for the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean, Nice in France is the perfect training ground. It caters to advanced freedivers who are keen on mastering their skills in an area renowned for its clarity and impressive underwater landscapes.
Nice’s deep dive sites, including the famous Cap Ferrat and Villefranche-sur-Mer, offer advanced divers the chance to work on their depth progression in a safe yet challenging environment. The crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean allow divers to hone their skills while exploring dramatic drop-offs and underwater caves.
Highlights of freediving there:
- Stunning drop-offs and underwater caves.
- Rich marine life including groupers, moray eels, and seahorses.
- Great conditions for monofin and static apnea practice.
- Welcoming freediving community
Best time to go: May to September
Average water temperature: 15-23°C (59-73°F)
Ready to explore? SSI’s global network of freediving centers makes it easy for you to advance your freediver training and visit the world’s best freediving destinations. By using the SSI Center Locator, you can connect with highly skilled instructors and tailor your training to reach your goals.
Ready to maximize your potential?
Use the SSI Center Locator to find a dive center near you or your chosen destination.