Freediving Coaches of Asia

Located in the waters of Puerto Galera, Philippines, Freediving Coaches of Asia (FCOA) operates as a non-profit organisation. Their core mission is to teach sea survival skills while promoting freediving as a way to foster ocean conservation.

Unlike many standard dive centres, FCOA focuses on building a career path for those entering the industry. They provide a structured progression from basic swimming to professional instructor levels, serving as a springboard for divers looking to work in the professional diving sector.

The organisation is built around a 'be your own coach' philosophy. This approach utilises digital training modules combined with remote verification to ensure high standards of instruction.

Their curriculum is designed to take you from a beginner swimmer through to advanced instructor certifications. By focusing on digital and remote learning, they offer a flexible way to progress through their training programmes.

The training programmes at FCOA cover a comprehensive range of skills. You can start with basic swimmer training before progressing to formal freediving certifications.

For those looking to enter the professional industry, the centre offers pathways to become a coach or an instructor. Their unique methodology relies on digital training and remote verification to facilitate these advanced certifications.

The local marine environment is rich with diverse life, ranging from large pelagics to intricate reef inhabitants. You will find various species of turtles, including Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), alongside various reef fish such as Butterflyfish (Chaetodon) and Damselfish (Chromis chromis).

The reef architecture is defined by a variety of corals, including Brain coral (Diploria), Staghorn corals, and many types of soft corals and gorgonians. You will also encounter various sponges, sea cucumbers, and crinoids scattered across the seabed.

Macro life and smaller inhabitants provide constant interest for the observant diver. This includes various species of pipefish (Syngnathidae), such as the Ornate ghost pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus), as well as pygmy seahorses (Hippocampus bargibanti) and various types of nudibranchs.

Other notable residents include the Mimic octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus), various species of octopus (Octopoda), and several types of rays and stingrays. You may also spot various species of eels, including the Giant moray (Gymnothorax javanicus), and various types of snapper (Lutjanidae) and grouper (Epinephelinae).