Freedive Utila - Apnea Total Freediving School
Freedive Utila - Apnea Total Freediving School
Freedive Utila - Apnea Total Freediving School
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Freedive Utila, Central America's Freediving Headquarters, is the place to learn how to hold your breath and go deeper than you ever thought. Now in our new location and offering Instructor training courses.
Freedive Utila - Apnea Total Freediving School
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
164 reviews
Excellent
163
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Pearsemk
174 contributions
Jan 2023 • Solo
Just finished the beginner course with Freedive Utila and they were incredible from start to finish. I really wanted to go and do the advanced course but I just was caught for time, so I decided to do some coaching instead, which is a great option they have available, if you want to try improve the skills you have learnt on the course.
I would highly recommend Freedive Utila to anyone who might be thinking they would like to learn how to Freedive safely. The course will allow you to feel so much more comfortable under the water, increase the length of time you can be under the water and bring you to depths you never imagined you could reach.
I had no previous experience and now I really look forward to practicing some of these new skills while snorkelling. I also look forward to doing the advanced course sometime in the near future.
Thanks so much Emilie(Em), for being such an incredible instructor. I learnt so much and there is no way I could have achieved those depths without you. They also offer accommodation which looks super good and the vibe around the place is really nice and chill.
So many nice people including the owners Chris and Ninja (also amazing instructors) who are extremely friendly and accommodating in every way. While diving I got to see dolphins, a massive turtle and schools of fish all of which was so cool including free diving at the ship wreck.
I can’t recommend this company enough, they are very professional and friendly and Em the instructor was so patient and knowledgable. She made me feel safe and secure to get the best out of myself. I have some amazing videos of my dives and more important memories for life. I can’t wait to do it again.
Thanks Freedive Utila
I would highly recommend Freedive Utila to anyone who might be thinking they would like to learn how to Freedive safely. The course will allow you to feel so much more comfortable under the water, increase the length of time you can be under the water and bring you to depths you never imagined you could reach.
I had no previous experience and now I really look forward to practicing some of these new skills while snorkelling. I also look forward to doing the advanced course sometime in the near future.
Thanks so much Emilie(Em), for being such an incredible instructor. I learnt so much and there is no way I could have achieved those depths without you. They also offer accommodation which looks super good and the vibe around the place is really nice and chill.
So many nice people including the owners Chris and Ninja (also amazing instructors) who are extremely friendly and accommodating in every way. While diving I got to see dolphins, a massive turtle and schools of fish all of which was so cool including free diving at the ship wreck.
I can’t recommend this company enough, they are very professional and friendly and Em the instructor was so patient and knowledgable. She made me feel safe and secure to get the best out of myself. I have some amazing videos of my dives and more important memories for life. I can’t wait to do it again.
Thanks Freedive Utila
Written January 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nikky Wyand
Albuquerque, NM5 contributions
Jul 2021
Johnny, Rachel and Nina are all AMAZING instructors. All three of them really helped me become more comfortable in the water and had so many tips on how to relax. The best part about taking the course through Freedive Utila is that there aren't any requirements on depth or breath holds. Instead of having a ton of pressure on me I was able to focus on becoming more comfortable. The energy at Free Dive Utila is so comforting and they really made me feel like family during and after my course. I highly recommend using one of these three instructors when you come to Utila.
Written August 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Yenni
Düsseldorf, Germany4 contributions
Jan 2022
Freediving is really for everyone who is open to everything and attached to nothing. I believe everyone can learn it as long as one is open, not afraid to be vulnerable and is respectful to your own limits and the nature.
This is exactly why Freedive Utila is the perfect place for you to learn freediving. They make you feel as part of the family there and provide you with motivating and safe environment to learn. Even though there are standard courses, but the learning curve in freediving is very individual for each person. They will take this into account accordingly and are flexible in taking your personal wants/needs. Tex, Johnny and Marc are sound instructors, very well experienced next to being such awesome human beings. Thank you so so much guys!! I really like the setup of the course. They provide you with detailed, stepwise and pragmatic lessons, which you can immediately practise with the dives. In each dive, you’ll get directly specific feedback on what to improve that you can apply directly in the next dive. It’s about being as comfortable as possible in the water, not merely about achieving certain depths nor time. Just off the shore of Utila bay, there are already enough depths for beginners and for those who are ready to the next challenge.
And as a big bonus, they have the perfect dock to enjoy sunset with your freedive family! You will always find interesting and amazing people there, be it fellow students or instructors. I can totally recommend Freedive Utila if you’re keen on learning freediving in encouraging and beautiful environment. I love my time there and am already yearning to return!
This is exactly why Freedive Utila is the perfect place for you to learn freediving. They make you feel as part of the family there and provide you with motivating and safe environment to learn. Even though there are standard courses, but the learning curve in freediving is very individual for each person. They will take this into account accordingly and are flexible in taking your personal wants/needs. Tex, Johnny and Marc are sound instructors, very well experienced next to being such awesome human beings. Thank you so so much guys!! I really like the setup of the course. They provide you with detailed, stepwise and pragmatic lessons, which you can immediately practise with the dives. In each dive, you’ll get directly specific feedback on what to improve that you can apply directly in the next dive. It’s about being as comfortable as possible in the water, not merely about achieving certain depths nor time. Just off the shore of Utila bay, there are already enough depths for beginners and for those who are ready to the next challenge.
And as a big bonus, they have the perfect dock to enjoy sunset with your freedive family! You will always find interesting and amazing people there, be it fellow students or instructors. I can totally recommend Freedive Utila if you’re keen on learning freediving in encouraging and beautiful environment. I love my time there and am already yearning to return!
Written January 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
travel_bug_host
Alaska35 contributions
Jan 2022 • Solo
If you’ve ever wanted to dive deeper while snorkeling or discover how long you can safely hold your breath, taking a freediving course at Freedive Utila is for you! I had extremely low expectations for myself when I randomly signed up for the beginner course and was amazed at what was possible after receiving such stellar instruction and coaching. The owner, Tex, is a soft-spoken, unassuming badass who took me from complete newbie to certified Advanced Freediver in six days. I’m confident in my new skills and shocked how addicting this is. Being able to silently explore the underwater world unencumbered by scuba tanks is a truly amazing experience. Looking up at the sky from 75 feet underwater and being entirely confident in my ability to safely reach the surface on that single breath is something I never expected to be able to do. The classroom sessions explain the science behind freediving in easy-to-understand terms, and the daily boat dives allow you to practice new skills and gain confidence in your abilities, all while under close supervision in a safe environment. With his calm coaching style (and as an experienced safety diver for many international freediving competitions), Tex could not be more perfectly suited to introduce you to this sport. So breathe, center yourself, and dive in!
Written February 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jessica Grace Whalen
3 contributions
Jul 2021 • Solo
My experience with Freedive Utila has been one of my most memorable travel experiences. Over the course of 8 days, I experienced high class education, great company and such genuine, warm, hospitality. I can’t thank my instructor Johnny enough for not only his patience when teaching me the art of freediving from beginner to advance, but also his support in helping me achieve my free diving goals and believing in me when I challenged myself and my abilities. I also have to mention the encouragement and lessons I received in collaboration with Johnny by Rachel and Ninja, who were equally as talented educators.
At the start of my Utila trip, I planned to only stay for beginners but it was by my new love for the sport and my instructors that I chose to extend and do my advance.
By the end of my trip I had a 4:30 static apnea and a 25 metre dive - in just a week with this company!
Thank you all so much!
At the start of my Utila trip, I planned to only stay for beginners but it was by my new love for the sport and my instructors that I chose to extend and do my advance.
By the end of my trip I had a 4:30 static apnea and a 25 metre dive - in just a week with this company!
Thank you all so much!
Written July 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jimbobsister
Denver, CO71 contributions
May 2021
I just completed my Free Dive Level 1 certification at Freedive Utila a couple weeks ago. I really didn't think I was going to be able to dive to depth and complete the static apnea but Tex was great, super chill, relaxed and awesome. I was particularly lucky because it was one-on-one training and I felt very comfortable in the water. I have heard of other agencies where you are learning with 10+ other students and that doesn't sound very safe or relaxed to me so I am glad I was able to learn at Freedive Utila.
I would highly recommend FreeDive Utila to anyone looking to learn. I wish I could have spent more time there!
I would highly recommend FreeDive Utila to anyone looking to learn. I wish I could have spent more time there!
Written June 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sarah W
1 contribution
Sep 2022 • Couples
My partner and I took the first level freediving course with Ninja and Brian — it was the BEST experience ever.
Booking the course was great as the staff was easy to communicate with and answered all our questions.
The course itself had so much interesting information and was really cool to see what the human body can achieve.
Brian and Ninja were amazing instructors. They were super knowledgeable and passionate about freediving. They were excellent coaches and made me feel very safe — from 21meters down all the way to the surface. Could not recommend them highly enough!
Booking the course was great as the staff was easy to communicate with and answered all our questions.
The course itself had so much interesting information and was really cool to see what the human body can achieve.
Brian and Ninja were amazing instructors. They were super knowledgeable and passionate about freediving. They were excellent coaches and made me feel very safe — from 21meters down all the way to the surface. Could not recommend them highly enough!
Written September 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Wyatt Caldwlel
New York City, NY3 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
Couldn’t have asked for a better 3 weeks. Ninja, Chris, and Bryan were not only great instructors but made Utila feel like home. Extended my stay a week and plan on coming back in the future.
Written March 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gregor F
Gleisdorf, Austria15 contributions
Nov 2021 • Solo
Did my first Freedive course there.
The team is nice and experienced, safety is the first rule.
Felt always safe and in good hands with my instructor Marc..
Would have liked to do the advanced there also but didn’t have enough time.
Was a great experience for me and I was able to see my limits in a safe way.
👌
The team is nice and experienced, safety is the first rule.
Felt always safe and in good hands with my instructor Marc..
Would have liked to do the advanced there also but didn’t have enough time.
Was a great experience for me and I was able to see my limits in a safe way.
👌
Written November 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sam G
Punta Gorda, Toledo, Belize2 contributions
Aug 2011 • Solo
I came to Utila to learn how to SCUBA. The plan was originally to get both an Open Water and Advanced certification, but when I saw Tex and the other Apnea Total instructors in action I ditched the Advanced certification and took the intro to freediving class instead. I am so glad I did!
Apnea Total is a rare opportunity to push yourself physically and mentally. I'm confident in the water, but I never thought I'd be able to dive to 20 meters on a single breath (after only two days of instruction!) The classroom portion of the course teaches you basic physiology as well as techniques to stay calm and focused under water. You know what to expect, but nothing compares to the incredible sensation of being down there and knowing you just exceeded your own expectations.
Tex is a fantastic instructor -- confident, knowledgeable, and encouraging. He spent one-on-one time with each student in our class, doing freedives alongside us and then giving feedback on the surface. I always felt completely safe, and hope to make it back to Utila soon to take the advanced course!
Apnea Total is a rare opportunity to push yourself physically and mentally. I'm confident in the water, but I never thought I'd be able to dive to 20 meters on a single breath (after only two days of instruction!) The classroom portion of the course teaches you basic physiology as well as techniques to stay calm and focused under water. You know what to expect, but nothing compares to the incredible sensation of being down there and knowing you just exceeded your own expectations.
Tex is a fantastic instructor -- confident, knowledgeable, and encouraging. He spent one-on-one time with each student in our class, doing freedives alongside us and then giving feedback on the surface. I always felt completely safe, and hope to make it back to Utila soon to take the advanced course!
Written January 8, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
elizhang_nyc
St. Petersburg, FL
Hi there, I noticed Travellingnurse79 mentioned Freediving Utila can teach other organizations (SSI, AIDA). Is this information correct? What do I need to do to get those certification? Will the course structure/cost change, if for example, I want to add SSI to my certification? Thanks very much everyone!
CostyRavanelli
San Juan6 contributions
Buenas!!! Nosotros vamos a viajar en Marzo 2017 a Utila...queremos saber cuál es la mejor temporada para bucear con tiburones ballenas?
El servicio que ustedes ofrecen es de buceo, estadía y desayuno, o cuál es el servicio específicamente?
Cuál es el precio?
Muchas gracias!!!! Saludos!!!