Dive into the deep end with the best freediving courses in London

Are you tired of the same old routine? Ready to trade the hustle and bustle of city life for a splash of underwater adventure? If the thought of exploring coral reefs has you holding your breath in anticipation, then it’s time to take the plunge into the world of freediving.

Whether you’re a complete beginner who’s never even held your breath underwater or a seasoned snorkeler looking to take your skills to the next level, London’s got a freediving course just for you.

We’re diving deep into the best freediving courses this city has to offer, so get ready to trade your Oyster card for a mask and fins!

How much do freediving courses cost in London?

How we chose

1. Freediving London

Location: Park Rd, London N8 8JN, United Kingdom

Contact: +44 7796 875303

Operating hours:

• Monday to Saturday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Website

Freediving London has quickly become a standout spot for diving enthusiasts since its launch by the seasoned freediver Stefan Ruiz in 2023. 

We’ve been impressed by the breadth of courses they offer, catering to everyone from beginners to seasoned divers eager to explore the depths. The AIDA 1 introductory course, which kicks off at £170.00, is a crowd favourite. It covers the essentials of freediving, including breath-holding techniques, safe equalisation, and relaxation methods.

One of the things we admire most about them is their strong focus on community and safety. By keeping class sizes small, they ensure that each diver receives the personalised attention they need. Plus, with all instructors being certified, you can trust that you’re in safe hands. 

We also appreciated their innovative approach to learning, with online sessions available for just £65.00. These sessions offer advice on various aspects of freediving, from equalisation to customised training programs, and even guidance on picking the right equipment.

Beyond the usual classes, they go the extra mile by organising trips to destinations like the Seychelles and Menorca. These trips offer an incredible opportunity to experience freediving in some of the world’s most stunning waters. 

We can’t forget to mention their user-friendly website, it really makes booking courses easy (breezy). You can even check out their upcoming events, dive into freediving tips, and even shop for accessories.

Equips students with skills applicable in the stunt world

“An absolutely fantastic course with Stefan, I know I can take away everything I learnt and implement it in my career and will defiantly be back for more. Superb knowledge and understanding of the science and techniques and how they need to be used in the stunt world. Highly recommend!”

Bethan Phillips, Google Review

Creates a safe and inspiring learning environment

“I recently completed the Freediving course in London, led by Stefan Ruiz, and I can’t speak highly enough about the experience. Stefan’s professionalism, expertise, and passion for Freediving were evident from the start. He created a safe and inspiring learning environment, tailored to each student’s needs. Safety was a top priority throughout the course. I highly recommend Stefan Ruiz and Freediving London to anyone interested in this incredible discipline.”

Marcel, Google Review

2. NoTanx Apnea: Freediving

Contact: +44 7956 257102

Operating hours:

• Monday to Friday – 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• Saturday to Sunday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Website

NoTanx has been at the forefront of promoting freediving since 1999, and we love how they’ve created an experience that’s all about enjoyment and relaxation. Their training philosophy emphasises individual progression over competition, making it a perfect fit for everyone, from complete beginners to seasoned divers.

When we explored their courses, we were impressed by how well-structured they are, offering comprehensive training across different levels. The Foundation Course, priced at £160, is an excellent starting point, covering essential techniques, safety measures, and subaquatic relaxation strategies. 

This course includes two hours of practical pool time and places a strong emphasis on breathing and awareness exercises, which really sets the stage for a confident diving experience.

Once you’ve completed the Foundation Course, the opportunity to move on to the Open Water Course for the same price is a great next step. Here, you get to apply their skills in UK freshwater diving environments, which adds a thrilling dimension to the training.

What we really appreciate about NoTanx is their flexibility and range of additional training opportunities. They offer bespoke one-to-one sessions and specialised courses tailored to different freediving needs. 

With a wide variety of weekly pool sessions available across London, Brighton, Colchester, and Surrey, there’s plenty of opportunity for members to practise regularly and enhance their skills. With over 400 sessions a year, all focused on development and enjoyment, learning feels both efficient and fun here.

Booking a course is simple through their user-friendly website, where you can also keep an eye on their upcoming events. 

Fosters a welcoming group with a strong sense of friendship

“Freediving with NoTanx is easily the best thing I’ve ever done. I joined NoTanx when I was in my fifties and finally found a sport I love and which changed my life for the better. I attend Brighton/Hove sessions – they’re well-structured, safe and fun.  Our Instructor is amazing and I’ve really improved my skills under her patient, knowledgeable and encouraging coaching.  My fellow freedivers are a fantastic group of people and there’s a real feeling of friendship and support in what is such a welcoming group. The feeling of freediving is incredible – both exhilarating and relaxing and I always come away from freediving with a huge smile on my face!”

Helen Morley, Google Review

Provides an amazing place to learn freediving

“NoTanx is an amazing place to learn to freedive. Everyone is really supportive and values are placed on enjoyment and relaxation rather than ego and numbers, so learning becomes safe, fun, progressive and solid. Divers come from all walks of life and backgrounds and there is a place for everyone. I have always looked forward to the pool sessions and the trips are absolutely fantastic, catering for every kind of diver and ability.”

Aleceia De Juan, Google Review

3. Oyster Diving School London

Location: Leisure Centre, 15 Marshall St, London W1F 7EL, United Kingdom

Contact: +44 20 3802 1069

Operating hours:

• Monday to Friday – 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
• Saturday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Website

When we checked out Oyster Diving School in London, we were impressed with how they’ve earned their PADI 5-star status by offering a structured curriculum that caters to all levels, from absolute beginners to advanced freedivers. 

The PADI Freediver course is particularly popular, consisting of two main parts. Part A focuses on knowledge development, using the PADI Freediver Touch app, which offers engaging videos and quizzes you can work through at home. 

This is followed by confined water sessions where you get to practice static and dynamic apnea, with goals like achieving a 90-second breath hold and a 25-metre dynamic swim.

Part B takes things to the next level with two open water sessions where you can practise ‘Free Immersion’ and ‘Constant Weight’ freediving techniques, aiming for a 10-metre constant weight freedive. 

The whole package costs £395, which might seem a bit steep, but we think it’s reasonable since it covers all necessary equipment, PADI certification fees, and instruction by professional freediving instructors who adhere to UK safety regulations.

Beyond their structured courses, we also love the Oyster Dive Club membership. Members enjoy a slew of benefits, including access to regular dive sessions across locations like London, Hertfordshire, Sussex, and Surrey. It’s a fantastic way to stay active in the diving community.

For those looking to share their passion for diving, you can check out their gift vouchers that can be used for courses, equipment rentals, or diving trips. 

We also found it easy to book courses on their website, where you can also shop for accessories you might need.

Delivers excellent training for Open Water Certification

“First-class establishment providing safe and clear instruction to the students. I did my Open Water Certification and can only praise the company and it’s staff who were all super helpful and knowledgeable. Ian & Tom were fantastic instructors on the open water dives at Mercer’s Lake and despite the cold they together kept people’s spirits up and we all passed. I would highly recommend Oyster Diving to both beginners and those wishing to advance their skills and I’ll certainly be signing up for further instruction once the weather warms up next Spring. Fantastic thank you everyone at Oyster.”

Matthew P, TripAdvisor

Supports students through tough and cold conditions

“I just completed my open water and want to give a massive shout out to Pete and Logan for their guidance and patience in and out of the water. It was tough, cold conditions and without their enthusiasm and help I’m not sure I would have been able to complete it. Pete was incredibly kind and reassuring and Logan was great at helping with equipment challenges and being calm in fact I recon Logans mum should buy him a ticket for Boom Town.”

EMMA H., Google Review

4. Apnea Club | London Freediving Club

Location: 32 Endell St, London WC2H 9AG, United Kingdom

Contact: +44 7462 737977

Operating hours:

• Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Saturday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Website

When we explored the Apnea Club, also known as London Freediving Club, we were struck by its reputation as a go-to spot for freediving enthusiasts in London. They offer a variety of courses and experiences that cater to both beginners and advanced divers. 

Their series of AIDA courses (International Association for the Development of Apnea) caught our attention, starting with the AIDA 1* Introduction to Freediving course. This course covers basic breath-hold techniques and essential safety skills, laying a strong foundation for newcomers.

For those ready to dive deeper, the AIDA 3* Advanced Freediver course offers more challenging skills, including a 2-minute 45-second breath-hold and a 55-metre underwater swim with fins. Classes are conveniently held at the Oasis Sports Centre every Thursday evening. 

We loved how they offer these regular indoor sessions at a reasonable £15 per session on a “pay as you dive” basis, making it flexible for participants.

The club also organises weekend depth sessions in open water at various quarries, lakes, and seas during the warmer months.  We have to give it to them for offering such comprehensive experiences.

However, one thing we found lacking is the absence of an online booking system. While their offerings are fantastic, we think adding online booking will make the process convenient for everyone.

Facilitates easy learning for participants

“Easy to learn with them, super friendly stuff.”

Ronnie, Google Review

Offers a nice experience for first-timers

“It was a nice experience for me as it was my first time.”

Zana Palani, Google Review

5. Blue Water Freediving School

Location: 19a Amwell End, Ware SG12 9HP, United Kingdom

Contact: +44 7985 792442

Operating hours:

• Monday to Tuesday & Thursday – 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM
• Saturday – 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• Sunday – 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM

Website

Diving into what Blue Water Freediving School offers was a real treat. Led by Adam Drzazga, a champion freediver, the school gives you the chance to learn from the best. 

We were impressed by their variety of courses, which cater to everyone, from newcomers to seasoned divers. The SSI Freediver Course, for instance, is spread over two days and includes both theory and practical sessions in pools and open water. 

While the course fee of £330 is a bit pricey, we do think it’s a comprehensive package that arms you with crucial skills like static and dynamic apnea, along with essential safety techniques. By the end, you’ll be diving as deep as 20 metres.

What sets them apart though is their one-on-one courses. These tailored sessions mean you can get a learning experience that’s just right for you. And with classes held twice weekly at the Hatfield Swim Centre, there’s plenty of opportunity to keep improving.

We also like the convenience they offer with online course booking and a shop for freediving accessories. It’s these little touches that make the whole process smoother and more accessible.

Delivers an incredible weekend diving experience

“I had an incredible weekend diving experience with Adam at Blue Water Freediving. It was very clear that Adam held a mastery understanding of freediving and how to teach freediving progression, but his enthusiasm and demeanor provided the perfect environment of encouragement and trust during all phases of the course from theory lectures and pool sessions to the open water dives. Through Adam’s guidance and instruction, I achieved all my course goals and had a great time doing it! Thanks Adam!”

Vinnie Mauro, Google Review

Offers tuition that feels incredibly valuable and rewarding

“Adam and Shirley are simply phenomenal. I booked a two day weekend course, I had no idea what to expect and felt very out of my depth. Adam and Shirley immediately made me feel at ease, invited me into their world with so much enthusiasm and love for freediving it’s infectious! They both compete on the world stage, yet make me feel like my achievements in the water were world beating. They took me from a measly 10 second breath hold on Saturday, to diving 20 metres by Sunday. It’s just incredible. I honestly cannot put into words how fantastic the weekend was and how brilliant the tuition is! It would be a bargain at twice the price!! My only regret is I found free diving at the end of the season and now need to wait until next year to get my fix!!”

Stuart Lovell, Google Review