Freedive Nusa

Located on the north coast of Nusa Penida, Freedive Nusa serves as a dedicated hub for apnea enthusiasts. The centre is situated just 20 metres from the shoreline in Sampalan, making it highly accessible for those staying in nearby hotels or arriving via the Toyapekah port.

Since its founding in 2017, the school has grown into a significant training centre, having guided thousands of divers through the Indonesian archipelago. Whether you are looking for technical skill development in the local pools or embarking on a multi-day safari to Raja Ampat or Komodo, the facility is designed to support progression from your first breath-hold to professional instructor levels.

The team is composed of experienced instructors who provide a highly personalised approach, with groups strictly limited to a maximum of four divers per guide. This ensures that every student receives the individual feedback necessary for safe and efficient apnea progression.

In addition to freediving expertise, many of the instructors are also qualified yoga teachers, integrating movement and breathwork into the training programme. The centre is multilingual, with staff able to communicate in English, French, German, Russian, and Indonesian.

Freedive Nusa offers a complete curriculum through SSI and Molchanovs affiliations. For beginners, the programme starts with Try Freediving and Level 1/Wave 1 courses, which include a three-day structure with an extra day of open-water training.

Advanced divers can progress through Level 2, Level 3, and Wave 4, or specialise in areas such as the Mouthfill Course, No-Fins Specialty, and the SSI Free Immersion Specialty. The centre also provides professional pathways, including the Molchanovs Instructor Course, SSI Instructor Course, and various instructor upgrade programmes. For younger divers, specific courses like Molchanovs Lap 1 and Wave 1 are available.

The centre operates two boats to facilitate training and excursions. These vessels are used for daily trips to local sites like Manta Bay and for more distant expeditions. For longer safaris to destinations such as Misool or Alor, the centre organises dedicated trip programmes.

The shore-based facilities are extensive, designed to support both the physical and technical aspects of freediving. On-site, you will find dedicated pools for static and dynamic apnea training, alongside classrooms for theory sessions.

To assist with recovery and conditioning, the centre includes a gym, a yoga studio, a sauna, and an ice bath. Full equipment hire is available for those travelling without their own kit.

The local waters are a haven for large pelagics and reef inhabitants. During the Mola Mola season from June to October, these unique fish are a primary draw for the region. You will also frequently encounter manta rays, eagle rays, marbled rays, and various species of reef sharks and bamboo sharks.

On the reef walls and sandy bottoms, turtles, octopuses, and southern stingrays are regular visitors. Large pufferfish and various species of reef fish populate the coral structures, while stingrays often glide across the seabed.

For macro enthusiasts, the sites offer incredible diversity. You can find a wide array of nudibranchs, shrimps, and various species of octopus. The reef flats and coral heads are also home to many species of sea slugs and smaller crustaceans.

The region offers year-round diving, though the peak season for Mola Mola sightings occurs between June and October. While Nusa Penida remains relatively dry, the period from December to February marks the rainy season.

Conditions vary significantly between sites; some areas like Buyuk and Toyapeh Wall offer gentle drifts, while sites such as Manta Bay and Crystal Bay can experience stronger currents or heavier swell. Divers should be prepared for variable current strengths at SD Point and Sental.