Apnea Natura

Located in the heart of Barcelona at Calle Sant Miquel, Apnea Natura is a dedicated freediving school that has been operating since 2015. Unlike conventional scuba centres, the focus here is entirely on the art of breath-hold diving, offering a specialised environment for those looking to master depth, technique, and marine connection.

The school is affiliated with SSI and provides a structured path for learners, from those taking their very first breath-hold attempts to highly experienced divers. Through a combination of pool-based technical work and open-water excursions, the programme is designed to build both physical capacity and the mental composure required for deep freediving.

The team is led by Juanma Molleja and Magda Kurdziel, who bring years of experience to the instruction. They operate with a philosophy that respects the individual learning rhythm of every student, prioritising safety and the development of self-confidence over rigid, high-pressure schedules.

Instruction is delivered in Spanish and English, among other languages. This multilingual approach ensures that the technical nuances of breath-hold training and safety protocols are clearly understood by a diverse range of students. The centre's flexible scheduling allows students up to a year to complete their training programmes, making it suitable for both dedicated athletes and those balancing training with professional lives.

Apnea Natura offers a comprehensive suite of SSI freediving courses. Beginners can start with SSI Try Freediving or SSI Basic Freediver, progressing through the SSI Freediver and SSI Advanced Freediver certifications. For those preferring controlled environments, specific pool-based modules such as SSI Pool Freediver and SSI Advanced Pool Freediver are available.

The curriculum extends into highly technical disciplines, including SSI Free Immersion (FIM) and advanced training techniques. Beyond pure depth work, the centre provides specialised SSI training in marine ecology, covering topics such as Fish Identification, Marine Mammal Ecology, Sea Turtle Ecology, and Manta and Ray Ecology. They also offer SSI Photo & Video training for those looking to document their underwater experiences.

For those training for significant depths, the centre provides specialised equipment to ensure safety and efficiency. This includes a dedicated counterweight system designed specifically for experienced freedivers working at depths exceeding 50 metres.

Safety is a core component of their technical setup. Onboard for depth training sessions, the centre carries oxygen therapy equipment to manage any physiological requirements during advanced training exercises.

In the Atlantic destinations like the Azores, you can encounter large pelagic species. The area is known for sightings of mobula rays, whale sharks, and various species of dolphins and whales, alongside various pelagic fish.

In the warmer waters of Tenerife, the marine life includes green sea turtles, rays, octopuses, and trumpetfish. The presence of these species around the wrecks and reefs adds significant interest to depth training sessions.

Macro life and smaller inhabitants are a staple of the reef and cave environments. Divers frequently observe various species of octopus and a wide array of colourful fish amongst the coral structures.

Training conditions vary significantly depending on the chosen destination. In deep pool environments like Y40, conditions are perfectly controlled with zero current and no swell, making it ideal for technical skill acquisition.

In open water locations such as Tenerife, the absence of thermoclines provides a more stable environment for depth training. However, divers should always account for local conditions when moving between the Mediterranean and Atlantic sites.