The 10 Best Freediving Books

Manual of Freediving by Umberto Pelizzari

Our list starts with the two must-read books by Umberto Pelizzari, the famous Italian sportsman, champion, and teacher in freediving. As described in our article about the history of freediving, he, during his life, has set many freediving world records exploring humans in deep water. The Manual of Freediving is the first book we want to recommend, as it’s considered a Freediving Bible by many freedivers. The manual format helps you find what you are looking for easily. It is considered the industry standard as the only book of its kind. Designed not specifically to entertain but rather to educate, the book starts with an interesting overview of the history of the sport. You also can find many details of the physiology involved, special finning techniques, and efficient training suggestions. It also includes useful drawings of underwater and onshore exercises to improve lung capacity. This book can be the perfect stepping stone to guide beginners and must be on every serious freediver’s shelf.

Deeply by Umberto Pelizzari

The second book by the same author tells the story of Pelizzari’s life, his journey beyond his own limits to the world records. In this book, you find deep inner sensations of the author, philosophy, adventures, funny moments, and stunning descriptions of beautiful places and sea creatures. You will follow the sportsman on his way to learn more about freediving.

Umberto’s third book, ‘ Specific Training for Freediving—Deep, Static, and Dynamic Apnea,’ is also brilliant. However, it’s purely about training techniques and might not be everyone’s cup of tea. If you practice freediving or have taken a freediving course and want to improve, it’s highly recommended.

Homo Delphinus: The Dolphin Within Man by Jacques Mayol

Jacques Mayol is a world-famous diver, the first man who went 100 meters deep. His unique life, experience, and spiritual philosophy became the inspiration for some movies, including the cult film of Luc Besson, “The Big Blue” (Check our list of the best freediving movies). This beautiful book tells the story of an extraordinary man and his love for the sea and dolphins. There are also about 300 stunning photos of historical and geographical interest from the author’s private archive. Just breathe in the love and inspiration that the book is full of.

The Last Attempt: The true story of freediving champion Audrey Mestre and the mystery of her death by Carlos Serra

This book is a tragic and mysterious story based on real life. For some, it is an investigation, almost a detective story; for others, it is going backstage for world records and championships; for some, it is the chance to say goodbye again and honor the great athlete’s memory. Audrey Mestre was a French world record-setting freediver. In October 2002, she died in an attempt to break the world record. Thousands of eyes were following her career with support and envy. But what was her way? And what happened on the day of her tragic death? Her close friend Carlos Serra, the book’s author, conducted a thorough investigation. And in this book, he tells you the whole story as it actually occurred.

Breatheology: The Art of Conscious Breathing by Stig Avall Severinsen

Have you ever wondered how important breathing is for people? In the hustle and bustle of passing days, we often do not give ourselves time to think about it. However, breathing is our life, which nourishes us with oxygen and gives us the energy to move forward and higher and deeper. “Those who breathe half live half,” says the cover of the book written by Stig Severinsen. This truly unique person wrote the book using deep knowledge of yoga and physiology, which can be interesting not only for freedivers. It teaches breathing techniques for different purposes and contains advice on how to deal with stress and get more energy. It can help you change your lifestyle to a healthier, happier, and more efficient one.

Deep: Freediving, Renegade Science, and What the Ocean Tells Us About Ourselves by James Nestor

This one is an exciting non-fiction narrative book written by James Nester, a journalist and a prolific writer. It takes us into the ocean world, allows us to meet its unique inhabitants, and introduces the incredible world of freediving. Experienced freedivers may find it a little shallow and hyped-up, but those who are just getting started will find many interesting facts. The book is full of sincere admiration, which the author feels from meeting freedivers for ordinary people’s unthinkable abilities. It is written in vivid language and easy to read, almost in one breath.

One Breath: Freediving, Death, and the Quest to Shatter Human Limits by Adam Skolnick

One Breath is a dramatic story about the life and death of Nicholas Mevoli. He was the first athlete to die in an international freediving competition. Nicholas was a young American freediver, a rising star. He began his sports career less than two years before the tragic event at the Vertical Blue competition at Dean’s Blue Hole in the Bahamas. This book tells how freediving shaped him but eventually destroyed him. It tries to show the motives that drove the sportsman, the inner forces of his soul.

Oxygen: A Memoir by William Trubridge

This is a very insightful book about everything that William Trubridge has gone through on his way to world records. The author is a New Zealand champion and world record-holding freediver. His book is about freediving and is full of beautiful descriptions of the underwater world, yoga, and related spiritual practices. It is a beautifully written, informative, and entertaining story that can interest people fond of freediving and those who know nothing about the sport.

Neutral Buoyancy: Adventures in a Liquid World by Tim Ecott

We were thinking a lot about how we could add this book to our list of The Best Freediving Books because the book also has a lot of information about scuba diving and ocean exploration. And eventually, we did it! The book is worth it. It became a favorite reading for many divers. Tim Ecott is a reporter and has been writing for numerous prestigious international magazines and papers. He tells the reader the history of underwater exploration and the rise of diving culture, mixing it with many funny stories from his and other divers’ experiences. Ecott also weaves his personal beliefs into the story with rich and exquisite language to make people feel the book’s true magic.