Beneath the waves Freediving

Located in Puerto del Carmen on the island of Lanzarote, Beneath the Waves Freediving is a dedicated school focused on the discipline of apnea. The centre is positioned to take advantage of the archipelago's unique volcanic underwater topography and clear Atlantic waters.

Specialising exclusively in freediving, the school provides a structured environment for those looking to move beyond recreational snorkeling into technical breath-hold diving. The curriculum is built around international standards, ensuring that every diver develops a solid foundation in safety and physiological control.

The school is led by experienced instructor Nico Decroix, who focuses on delivering personalised instruction tailored to individual progress. The teaching philosophy emphasises technical precision and a deep understanding of the local marine environment.

All training follows the AIDA international certification framework. The instructors conduct sessions in English, making the school highly accessible to the international diving community visiting the Canary Islands.

The centre offers a complete progression of AIDA certifications. Beginners can start with an Introduction to Freediving, which typically lasts between 3.5 and 4 hours, before moving into formal AIDA 2 training. The AIDA 2 course is structured over 2.5 to 4 half-day sessions.

For more advanced divers, the school provides AIDA 3 and AIDA 4 courses, leading towards Master level proficiency. Beyond formal certifications, the centre also provides snorkeling sessions and spearfishing opportunities upon request.

For those looking to engage in spearfishing, the centre provides all the necessary underwater hunting equipment. This allows divers to focus on their technique without the need to transport heavy or specialised kit.

General equipment for freediving and snorkeling is available, ensuring you have the right tools for your training or exploration sessions.

The volcanic reefs are home to a variety of reef fish, including tropical species, parrotfishes, and damselfish (Pomacentridae). You will often find groupers (Epinephelinae) and dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) patrolling the structures, alongside various species of seabream and triggerfish (Balistidae).

The macro life and smaller inhabitants are abundant among the rockwork and sponges (Porifera). Keep an eye out for octopus (Octopoda), seahorses (Hippocampus), and various species of shrimp (Caridea), including cleaner shrimp (Lysmata). You may also encounter nudibranchs and diverse macro critters tucked into the crevices.

In the wider area, larger species such as rays (Batoidea), stingrays (Myliobatiformes), and butterfly rays can be seen. The ecosystem also supports sea turtles (Cheloniidae), moray eels (Muraenidae), and various species of eels (Anguilliformes), alongside spiny lobsters (Palinuridae) and crabs (Brachyura).