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Dive centre · Coron · Philippines

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Freediving Coron - Barracuda Club for Freedivers

Train with national record-holder MJ Paula at the oldest freediving centre in Palawan, specialising in multi-system certifications.

What sets this centre apart

  • Led by national record-holder MJ Paula
  • Expertise in PADI, Apnea Total, and Molchanovs systems
  • Small group sizes for personalised instruction
  • Established as the oldest freediving centre in Palawan
  • Specialised competition preparation programmes available
  • Yoga and freediving integrated training sessions
  • Underwater photography coaching available
  • Ideal training conditions at Barracuda Lake

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Freediving Coron - Barracuda Club for Freedivers about the centre

Located at Coron Port in the Philippines, the Barracuda Club for Freedivers has been a staple of the Palawan diving scene since 2016. As the oldest freediving centre in the region, it has established a reputation for technical expertise and high-level coaching.

The centre is led by MJ Paula, a national record holder, ensuring that the instruction provided meets a professional standard. Whether you are looking to build water confidence or prepare for competitive apnea, the club's approach is rooted in experience and precision.

The club and its team

The team is comprised of elite instructors capable of guiding you through various certification pathways. They are proficient in three different systems, including PADI, Apnea Total, and Molchanovs, allowing you to choose the specific methodology that suits your goals.

Instruction is delivered in small groups to ensure a calm and personalised learning environment. The staff speaks English, Italian, and Swedish, making it easy to communicate technical details during your training.

Beyond standard certifications, the instructors offer specialised coaching. This includes competition preparation, yoga-integrated freediving sessions, and underwater photography guidance.

The centre at a glance

Operating since
2016
Languages spoken
English · Italian · Swedish
Website available in
English
Management
English
Equipment rental
mask, snorkel and freediving fins available in the shop
Access and transfers
Accessible by flight from Manila to Francisco B. Reyes Airport (Busuanga), followed by a short drive to the Coron center.

Courses on offer

The course catalogue covers the entire spectrum of apnea training. Beginners can start with Discover Freediving or dedicated swimming lessons to build fundamental water confidence. The progression continues through Freediver, Advanced Freediver, and eventually to Master Freediver levels.

For those looking to refine specific skills, the centre offers Water Confidence Programs and targeted Coaching Dives. They also provide specialised programmes such as mermaid training and competition preparation.

Equipment and gases

The centre's boutique carries essential freediving kit, including masks, snorkels, and fins available for hire. This allows you to arrive with just your personal items while still having access to reliable equipment for your sessions.

Training often takes place in the controlled environments of local lakes or lagoons, providing a stable setting for technical skill development.

Dive sites with Freediving Coron - Barracuda Club for Freedivers

Barracuda Lake is a renowned site for training, offering exceptionally calm, protected waters with no current or waves. The clarity and stillness of this lake make it an ideal environment for practicing breath-hold techniques.

The Second World War wrecks serve as spectacular underwater museums. These sites are home to abundant marine life and offer a unique opportunity to explore historical structures in a deep-water setting.

And some of the dive sites the centre runs.

Épaves de la Seconde Guerre mondiale

Marine life around Coron

The local waters are home to a variety of large pelagics. You may encounter Dugong in the area, and Manta rays are known to visit the region seasonally.

The surrounding reefs and lagoons provide a rich habitat for diverse marine life. The calm waters of the lakes and coral gardens support a variety of species that thrive in the protected Palawan environment.

Diving conditions

The training environments in Coron are generally characterised by calm and protected waters. Barracuda Lake, in particular, is noted for having no current, providing the stable conditions necessary for technical freediving practice.

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Things to do in Coron beyond diving

Your last day stays dry: no diving in the 18-24 hours before a flight, the perfect window to see the destination from another angle.

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