Rhea’s Insider Tips and Local Knowledge Make Your Panglao Adventure Unforgettable!
With tons of experience and a deep love for freediving and adventures, Rhea, our Office and Customer Support Manager, leads our team in creating personalized freediving packages that cater to your unique goals and interests.
“One of the things I love most about working at Freedive Academy Panglao is getting to know our guests and crafting the perfect freediving package just for them. It’s like putting together a puzzle where every piece fits perfectly – their experience level, their goals, what kind of adventure they’re looking for. Some guests want to focus purely on freediving, while others dream of exploring the island’s hidden gems or even becoming instructors themselves.
It’s so rewarding to see those plans come to life, from their initial inquiry to their final dive. And it’s not just about the courses—we handle everything, from accommodation and transfers to personalized recommendations for local restaurants and activities. We want our guests to feel like they’re part of the Freedive Academy family, and creating those unique, unforgettable experiences is what makes this job so incredibly fulfilling.”
We’re Here to Make Your Entire Freediving Experience Memorable!
By now, you know that freediving in the Philippines is absolutely incredible. The Philippines is a freediving haven for both beginner and master freedivers. With over 7,000 islands with pristine white beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and abundant marine life, the underwater world of the Philippines is a captivating spectacle. Warm, crystal-clear waters provide ideal conditions for year-round freediving, while here in Panglao, with dramatic drop-offs, underwater caves, and easy access to training grounds, the perfect spot is formed for teaching freediving.
The Philippines has a rich, freediving culture, and Panglao houses some of the most experienced instructor teams in the world—the Freedive Academy team of instructors has over 40 years of combined teaching experience. An instructor team like this results in a supportive, safe and fun environment to learn and progress. Panglao is amazing for anyone seeking their first underwater breath or those ready to push their limits in the deep. Whether you join us for a beginner freediving course or any of the globally recognized freediving instructor courses, the Philippines offers a genuinely unforgettable freediving experience.
But… It’s not just the Academy instructor team that is amazing.
Just down the road from the dive center in Panglao, our adventure center is right in front of the entrance of the famous Napaling Reef, which offers an incredible drop-off with the Panglao sardines. Here at the adventure center, we house the team of our Bohol tour company, the social media team, those working for Apnea Dynamics Inc., our holding company, and the most remarkable customer support team of the Freedive Academy.
The Freedive Academy support team offers exceptional customer service and tireless support. The friendly and knowledgeable team is dedicated to ensuring your freediving trip to Panglao occurs easily and conveniently. We’re available any day of the week to answer your questions, provide guidance, and offer personalized assistance every step of the way. Whether you need help choosing the right course, arranging accommodation, or simply want to chat about freediving. We’re an international dive center, and most of our guests are solo travelers and travel 6 to 12 hours easily, whereas some travel more than a day to visit us. And although traveling to Panglao and Bohol is easy, it can be overwhelming. The academy customer support team is here to help make your travels and booking as smooth as possible.
Over the years, we’ve grown to become an award-winning freedive instructor training center. With this, we developed incredibly popular long-term development packages like the 3- to 6-month beginner to freedive instructor zero to hero programs. The customer support team became specialists in making long—and short-term freediving packages to make the booking process and coming to Panglao easier for each of our guests.
You can message us if you simply want to book a beginner freediving course— our team is ready to schedule your course.
If you want to book a custom package—contact us today; we’re here to help.
Visit Panglao for the warm, inviting waters, incredible dive site, world-class freediving facility, for the wonderful and experienced instructor team, and supportive community of freedivers; visit the Freedive Academy. These are our standard and most popular packages.
Exploring Panglao with a One-Week Freediving Package!
The Beginner and Advanced Freediving Combo is incredibly popular and is by far our most popular package!
In one week, Panglao, we will teach you to dive safely and comfortably to depths between 20 and 30 meters. Do between 60 and 75 meters in the pool and have breathholds of 3:30 and 4 minutes. Doing the one-week combo package is not for the faint-hearted.
You love the water and you want to do something exciting? This is it!
In small classes of 1, 2, or a maximum of 3 students, your instructor will guide you via workshops, classroom sessions, pool, and open-water sessions into a world of breath-holding and self-exploration.
We’ll discuss breathing and breath-hold techniques and the different relaxation techniques used by freedivers. You will learn the correct freediving skills and techniques. How to stay relaxed in the water. How to be as efficient as possible. We will teach you the different safety procedures and pressure-related issues, and we will dive deep into equalization – one of the major limitations and risks of freediving. Every day, we discuss and teach equalization in the Academy. In 2024, we start making it mandatory for all our combo students to join our equalization workshop on the first day. This greatly increased the comfort, safety, and enjoyment of the courses while, at the same time, we significantly increased the passing rate of the course. Yes, if you pass all the performance requirements, we will certify you as an advanced freediver with one of the globally recognized freediving agencies.
You have already booked your trip to Panglao and have accommodation, but you are ready to do something special!
Your freediving experience will surely be unforgettable. Almost every day, you’ll be diving in the ocean at the famous Napaling Reef with the Panglao sardines, and your days will be combined with ocean sessions and pool training, everyday classroom, and theory sessions – you will have a fantastic time!
We will start your week with a solid, in-depth equalization workshop to prepare you for your adventure. After lunch, we will teach breath holding, and you will go to the pool to learn how to use all the provided freediving equipment efficiently. The next day, you’ll go to the ocean and practice the skills you learned in the pool.
Every day, you will learn a bit more, and we will take you step-by-step a bit deeper and deeper with longer and longer breathholds. It is going to be awesome!
All days include theory sessions, and the course days usually start at 8:30 AM and end between 4 and 5 PM.
Day 1: EQ workshop and pool
Day 2: Stretching and two open water sessions.
Day 3: Morning open water and pool in the afternoon
Day 4: Day Off
Day 5: Two open water sessions
Day 6: Stretching, open water in the morning, and pool session in the afternoon
Day 7: And again, open water in the morning and a pool session in the afternoon
Please note that this is an example schedule. We can change it slightly if we feel that you would benefit more from other types of training or knowledge.
Included in the program are the following programs;
- Freediving rental equipment
- Frenzel Equalisation Workshop
- Beginner Course (including study materials and certification fees)
- Advanced Course (including study materials and certification fees)
- One additional Coaching/Guided Session with an instructor
- Completely free all unedited GoPro photos and videos
Upon successfully meeting performance requirements, you will receive an official globally acknowledged certificate from SSI, AIDA, or Molchanovs.
Price per person: $850
Be sure to contact us. Group or Package Discounts may apply.
The above price includes taxes, snorkeling fees, freediving gear rental, facility use, study materials, and certification fees.
Also included and completely free are all unedited GoPro photos and videos taken during the course.
Stay with us, and we will take care of everything.
You don’t want the hassle—we get it! Most guests want to stay at the academy because of its convenience.
We will organize a pickup from the ferry terminal or airport. Our driver will take you directly to the academy. In your poolside apartment or bungalow, you will relax from the trip and start your underwater adventure fresh and excited.
The package is based on seven nights’ accommodation. If travel arrangements require us to book one or more additional nights, please get in touch with the academy support team, who can give you our special prices for the extra nights.
Your freediving experience will surely be memorable.
All days include theory sessions, and the course days usually start at 8:30 AM and end between 4 and 5 PM.
Day 1: EQ workshop and start of the beginner freediving course (pool session)
Day 2: Beginner Freediving course (stretching and two open water sessions)
Day 3: Beginner Freediving course (Bonus open water session and pool in the afternoon)
Day 4: Day Off
Day 5: Advanced Freediving Course (two open water sessions)
Day 6: Advanced Freediving Course (stretching, open water in the morning, and pool in the afternoon)
Day 7: Advanced Freediving Course (open water in the morning and pool in the afternoon)
Please note that this is an example schedule. We can change it slightly if we feel that you would benefit more from other types of training or knowledge.
Included in the program are the following programs;
- Freediving rental equipment
- Frenzel Equalisation Workshop
- Beginner Course (including study materials and certification fees)
- Advanced Course (including study materials and certification fees)
- One additional Coaching/Guided Session with an instructor
- 7 nights accommodation in the academy bungalows or apartment, including breakfast
- Panglao airport or Tagbilaran ferry pickup and dropoff
- Completely free all unedited GoPro photos and videos
Upon successfully meeting performance requirements, you will receive an official globally acknowledged certificate from SSI, AIDA, or Molchanovs.
Price per person, including 7 nights bungalow: $1,035
Price per person, including 7 nights airconditioned apartment with kitchen: $1,115
Be sure to contact us. Group or Package Discounts may apply.
The above price includes taxes, snorkeling fees, freediving gear rental, facility use, study materials, and certification fees.
Also included and completely free are all unedited GoPro photos and videos taken during the course.
Explore Freediving, Explore Bohol Island and Explore the Incredible Waters of Panglao and Bohol!
You are going to do it all! For the first time, you’ll genuinely experience freediving. In the beginner course, we teach you the skills and techniques to dive to depths up to -20 meters safely and comfortably. During your stay with us, you can put your skills into practice while exploring the different islands and reefs around Panglao and Bohol.
Whether you choose the land tour and visit the Chocolate Hills, visit Lila Whaleshark watching, or jump onboard the Banca (traditional Filipino boat) and visit the island and marine protected areas around Panglao.
This package includes everything you need to experience freediving and Bohol in a way you’ll never forget.
All course days include theory sessions, and the course days usually start at 8:30 AM and end between 4 and 5 PM.
Day 1: EQ workshop and start of the beginner freediving course (pool session)
Day 2: Beginner Freediving course (stretching and two open water sessions).
Day 3: Beginner Freediving course (Bonus open water session and pool in the afternoon).
Day 4: Cat A Tour: Stand Up Paddle Board Tour at Napaling
Day 5: Day Off
Day 6: Cat B Tour: Balicasaq and Virgin Island and Dolphin Watching Island Hopping Tour
Day 7: Napaling and the Sardines Freediving Tour with Photo Session
Please note that this is an example schedule. We can change it slightly if we feel that you would benefit more from other types of training or knowledge.
Included in the program are the following programs;
- Freediving rental equipment
- Frenzel Equalisation Workshop
- Beginner Course (including study materials and certification fees)
- One additional Coaching/Guided Session with an instructor
- Freediving Tour Napaling & Sardines
- One Tour Category A
- One Tour Category B
- Completely free all unedited GoPro photos and videos
- Optional: Pick up & Drop Off
- Optional: 7 nights accommodation in the academy bungalows or apartment, including breakfast, pickup & drop off.
Upon successfully meeting performance requirements, you will receive an official globally acknowledged certificate from SSI, AIDA, or Molchanovs.
Category A Tours:
Freediving Tour Napaling & Sardines*
Freediving & Photo Tour at the Plane Wreck
Sea Kayak Tour at Napaling
Stand Up Paddle Board Tour at Napaling
Sunset Paddle Board at Napaling Panglao
Glass Bottom Boat Tour at Napaling Panglao
Underground Adventures: Hinagdanan Cave
* The Freediving Tour at Napaling is already included but can be repeated as option.
Category B Small Group Tours:
Try Scuba Napaling & Sardines (1pax is possible)
Bohol Land Tour (with TriCab/Tricycle or Taxi Van)
Bohol Waterfall Tour by Car
Balicasaq Island, Virgin Island, and Dolphin Watching
Different Island Hopping Tours (can include Dolphin Watching, Balicasaq and Pamilacan Island)
Firefly Watching at Maribojoc
Danao Adventure Park Package
Price per person: $610
Price per person, including 7 nights bungalow (incl. Pickup & Drop Off): $795
Price per person, including 7 nights air-conditioned apartment with kitchen (incl. Pickup & Drop Off): $875
Be sure to contact us. Group or Package Discounts may apply.
The above price includes taxes, snorkeling fees, freediving gear rental, facility use, study materials, and certification fees.
Also included and completely free are all unedited GoPro photos and videos taken during the course.
Dive deeper, move freely, and feel the ocean’s magic.
Experience the ocean like never before. Begin with freediving to build confidence underwater, mastering breath-hold techniques to explore the depths. Then, dive into the art of mermaiding, learning graceful movements that you glide through the water as effortlessly as a mermaid.
With expert guidance and a perfect balance of training and relaxation, this week promises unforgettable moments and a true connection to the ocean.
Your freediving experience will surely be memorable.
All days include theory sessions, and the course days usually start at 8:30 AM and end between 4 and 5 PM.
Day 1: EQ workshop and start of the beginner freediving course (pool session)
Day 2: Beginner Freediving course (stretching and two open water sessions)
Day 3: Beginner Freediving course (Bonus open water session and pool in the afternoon)
Day 4: Day Off
Day 5: Ocean Mermaiding Course (two open water sessions)
Day 6: Ocean Mermaiding Course (stretching, open water in the morning, and pool in the afternoon)
Day 7: Ocean Mermaiding Course (open water in the morning and pool in the afternoon)
Please note that this is an example schedule. We can change it slightly if we feel that you would benefit more from other types of training or knowledge.
Included in the program are the following programs;
- Freediving rental equipment
- Frenzel Equalisation Workshop
- Beginner Course (including study materials and certification fees)
- Ocean Mermaiding Course (including study materials and certification fees)
- One additional Coaching/Guided Session with an instructor
- Completely free all unedited GoPro photos and videos
- Optional: Pickup & Drop off
- Optional: 7 nights accommodation in the academy bungalows or apartment, including breakfast, pickup & drop off.
Upon successfully meeting performance requirements, you will receive an official globally acknowledged certificate from SSI, AIDA, or Molchanovs.
Price per person: $1,025
Price per person, including 7 nights bungalow (incl. Pickup & Drop Off): $1,175
Price per person, including 7 nights air-conditioned apartment with kitchen (incl. Pickup & Drop Off): $1,285
Be sure to contact us. Group or Package Discounts may apply.
The above price includes taxes, snorkeling fees, freediving gear rental, facility use, study materials, and certification fees.
Also included and completely free are all unedited GoPro photos and videos taken during the course.
If you have any questions about the above packages or do you prefer to tailor them to your travel plan, message us today. Our outstanding, dedicated, and exciting support team is ready to answer any of your questions and make work of your vacation!
If you want a quick reply, please use the short form on this page.
You can contact us here or follow the links below for more detailed information about Tours, Courses, Accommodation, Prices, etc.
Let’s Make Your Freediving Experience Memorable!
Freediving in the Philippines is a remarkable experience, catering to both beginners and seasoned divers. With over 7,000 islands, stunning beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and clear waters, Panglao is an ideal destination featuring dramatic drop-offs and accessible training grounds.
Home to highly experienced instructors, the Freedive Academy team has over 40 years of combined teaching expertise, providing a safe and supportive learning environment. Whether you’re a novice or seeking advanced certification, the Philippines guarantees an unforgettable freediving adventure.
Just fill in the form, and our support team, who are all freedivers too, will get back to you usually within hours – if they’re not diving 😉
Are You Coming to Panglao for 1 to 6 Months?!
The Long-Term Development Programs are the Experience of a Lifetime!
Panglao is an incredible place to stay for longer periods of time. Traveling to Bohol is very easy. Finding a nice and affordable place to stay is effortless. The diving is incredible year-round, and the island has tons to offer, both in and outside the water. Living in Panglao for a month or more lets you experience the flip-flop lifestyle you’ve never experienced before.
Get a taste of the true flip-flop lifestyle!
Experience the flow of depth training like freedivers do. You wake up early in the morning to stretch and prepare for ocean or pool training. You slide into your flip-flops and jump on the scooter for a short drive to the academy, where you meet up with the other divers. Together, you hang out, change into your wetsuit, and 5 minutes later, you start your breath up to do your first warm-up on the training lines, ready to dive down.
In the afternoon, you do pool training, join one of the workshops, or go out with the other masters to explore Bohol. In the evening, you have dinner together, and afterward, you are set to play volleyball on the beach or join the locals for a game of basketball.
At the same time, it is our most popular long-term program and the most intense!
As an absolute beginner, you start with the beginner course, followed by the advanced and master courses, and then depth training!
This one month is not for everyone. You must be a comfortable open-water swimmer, in good physical condition, and love a good challenge. The performance requirement to obtain a Master’s certification is comfortably diving to depths of -34 meters, which is more than a 10-story building.
The beginner course is an introduction to freediving. The advanced course is where we fine-tune your skills and technique, and with the master freediving course, we’ll prepare you for independent and long-term training. The knowledge and skills you’ll learn during the master course will be your theoretical foundation for diving to any depth you want. The master course is for the course for the truly brave!
Full on, scary, exciting, and an experience you will never forget. The one month is a lot of fun!
Please message us if you already have a beginner or advanced course so we can offer a different 4 to 6-week package.
It will be very difficult to schedule an appointment in advance for the long-term development programs. The advantage of our long-term programs is that we can tailor them to your needs and desires. If we find that during your beginner course, we need to work on your breath-holding first, for example, we will postpone the advanced course and tailor the program to you—we want you to leave the academy as a skilled, all-around technical freediver.
A possible schedule could be;
Day 1: Rest
Day 2, 3 & 4: EQ workshop and beginner course
Day 5: rest
Day 6, 7 & 8: Advanced Course
Day 9: rest
Day 10: Island Hopping and dolphin watching
Day 11, 12 & 13: Stretching and coaching sessions.
Day 14: rest
Day 15: First Aid Course (React Right)
Day 16, 17 & 18: Stretching and coaching sessions.
Day 19 – 23: Master Course
Day 24 – 30: Master Training
The program is actually more like 4 to 6 weeks. To accommodate guests with some flexibility with travel plans, the one-month mastery package can be extended with free training for a maximum of six weeks from the day the guest starts the program.
Included in the program are the following programs;
- Freediving Rental Equipment
- Frenzel Equalisation Workshop
- Beginner Course
- Advanced Course
- Master Course
- First Aid Course (React Right)
- Master Training 2 Weeks
- ~6 Coaching/Guided Session
- One Tour Category A
- One Tour Category B
- One month scooter
- Airport or ferry pickup and dropoff
Upon successfully meeting performance requirements, you will receive an official globally acknowledged certificates from SSI, AIDA, or Molchanovs.
Price per person: $1950
Additionally fees for European Style Accommodation:
One Month Shared Room: $220
One Month Studio Room with shared Kitchen: $300
One Month Private Room with Kitchen: $400
* Please note that we need to charge 5% processing fee for the accommodation.
Be sure to contact us. Group or Package Discounts may apply.
The above price includes taxes, snorkeling fees, freediving gear rental, facility use, study materials, and certification fees.
Also included and completely free are all unedited GoPro photos and videos taken during the course.
One Week is Great, Two Weeks is Amazing, 3 to 6 Months is Life-Changing!!!
Life Changing and Possibly the Most Epic Thing You’ll Do in Your Life!
The program starts with the beginner or advanced freediving course and ends with the instructor course and depth training. Whether you want to work afterward as a certified freediving instructor or want to do something extraordinary – the Zero to Hero programs are an incredible experience!
The guests who visit us for the Zero to Hero are guests who love the ocean and the tropics, love adventure, and are ready for something possibly life-changing!
We recommend committing to the Beginner to Freediving Instructor programs for at least 3 to 4 months and only do this if you want to achieve something remarkable. If you want a club and party holiday, forget about it. Becoming an instructor in 3 to 4 months requires dedication, passion, and hard work, but once you pass your instructor course, it can easily be the most memorable you’ve ever done. Most guests staying with us for 6 months and committing to the program are diving to depths of around -50 meters and have +5 minutes.
The program is extremely popular, with a significant discount on the courses, a total and flexible package, and free carbon-freeding sports fins.
There are too many options possible with the beginner to freediving instructor programs to list them all here but for more information and prices—please contact us today for more info.
It is impossible to give you an exact schedule. We tailor each Zero to Hero program to the student’s needs, and between the different courses, you will get personalized workshops, theory sessions, and possible boot camps if necessary.
A possible general schedule could be;
Month 1 and 2: Beginner, Advanced and Master Course and Training.
Month 3 and 4: Training and Instructor Course
Month 5 and 6: Depth Training
There are too many variations on the program possible to list them all here.
All recreational and professional courses are included, including equipment rental, free pure carbon sport freediving fins, taxes, and such.
Do you want to be part of the team – and become a freediving instructor?!
Great! Every calendar quarter, we have three-month internships that can be extended with an additional three months of training before and after the internship. As an intern, you will help bring flyers around the island, run errands, guide the SUP, kayak, and snorkel tours, and help out the master instructors running their pool sessions.
Being an intern is a great way to be part of the community and Freedive Academy team!
As an intern, you get a bigger discount on the courses and training, three months of free accommodation, and three months of optional staff lunch.
If you want to join contact us now. Freediving Internships get booked well in advance and you don’t want to miss – they are a lot of fun!
It is impossible to give you an exact schedule. We tailor each Zero to Hero program to the student’s needs, and between the different courses, you will get personalized workshops, theory sessions, and possible boot camps if necessary.
A possible general schedule could be;
Month 1: Start of the internship, Beginner and Advanced Course.
Month 2: Master Course and Training.
Month 3: Training and Instructor Course
Month 4, 5 and 6: End of the Internship doing Depth Training
There are too many variations on the program possible to list them all here.
All recreational and professional courses are included, including equipment rental, free pure carbon sport freediving fins, taxes, and such.
If you have any questions about the above packages or do you prefer to tailor them to your travel plan, message us today. Our outstanding, dedicated, and exciting support team is ready to answer any of your questions and make work of your vacation!
If you want a quick reply, please use the short form on this page.
You can contact us here or follow the links below for more detailed information about Tours, Courses, Accommodation, Prices, etc.
AVAILABLE NOW! The Brand-New Freedive Academy Mobile Training App!
All the Freedive Academy's Expertise, Now in Your Pocket!
The Apnea Assistant, Your Personal Breathwork Coach!
The Apnea Assistant is Hands-Down, the Most Complete Freediving App Currently Available!
Can't make it to Panglao to train with us in person? No problem! Our team has poured their passion and expertise into creating an incredible app that brings the Freediving Academy experience to you, wherever you are.
The Apnea Assistant is completely free to use, with no premiums or annoying ads. It's packed with everything you need to improve your breath-hold, refine your technique, and deepen your freediving journey – from customizable training tables and guided breathing exercises to a detailed training log that tracks your progress. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned freediver, the Apnea Assistant will help you take your training to the next level.
Download it today and start training like a pro!
Disclaimer: The Freediving App provides tools and guidance for freediving training but should not be used as a substitute for professional instruction. Learning freediving involves essential safety practices and breathing techniques best taught in a supervised environment. We always recommend taking an intro or beginner freediving course with a certified instructor before utilizing the app.
We made an in-depth comparison of why we believe the Apnea Assistant is the best freediving app out there.
