Freediving for beginners
Never freedived before? Start in Malta
One breath, one line, and an instructor watching you the whole way down. Our beginner courses take complete non-divers to their first 10 metres in a single day.
Where everyone starts
Can you learn to freedive with no experience?
Yes, and almost everyone we take in the water is a first-timer. You do not need to be a scuba diver, hold your breath for minutes or be especially fit. Most people arrive on holiday, have never worn a wetsuit, and privately assume they will manage a few seconds. By the afternoon they are diving to 10 m and grinning about it.
What happens on your first day
We meet you at the ferry terminal in Mġarr, Gozo at 10:00, drive to a sheltered bay and start on land: breathing, relaxation, how to equalise your ears, and what your buddy does while you dive. Then you get in the water with a line and a float, and your instructor takes you down one step at a time. Groups are capped at two students per instructor, so nobody disappears into a crowd.
What you need before you arrive
You need to be able to swim, be at least 16 years old (12–15 year olds join with a parent or guardian on site) and bring a signed medical statement, swimwear and a towel. Wetsuit, mask, fins, weights and all the line equipment are included, as are underwater photos of your dives — our beginner course in Malta starts at €130 for the one-day Discovery experience.
How a course day runs
From the ferry to the buoy
Mġarr ferry terminal
We meet you as you step off the ferry in Gozo, load the kit and drive to the best site for that day's conditions — 15 to 20 minutes at most.
Theory and dry training
The day starts on land with breathing, relaxation, stretching and the skill you are working on, explained slowly and matched to your level.
Three to four hours on the line
Supervised water time with the line set for your course, in a group of no more than two students per instructor.
Photos and drop-off
Underwater photos of every dive are included, and we get you back to Mġarr in time for the ferry home.
First-timer questions
What beginners ask us most
Do I need any experience?
None at all. The Discovery day assumes you have never held your breath underwater before, and Wave 1 begins from the same point on land. Breathing, relaxation and equalisation are taught from the first hour.
What if I cannot equalise my ears?
Most people can once they are shown how. Equalisation is a technique rather than a talent: we practise it on land, then in the shallows holding the line, and set the depth to whatever your ears allow on the day.
How deep will I actually go?
On the Discovery day, 5–10 m is typical by the afternoon. Across Wave 1 you build to 12–20 m over three days, one comfortable step at a time. Nobody is pushed towards a number.
Is holding your breath underwater safe?
It is safe when someone trained is watching you, which is exactly what a course gives you. Groups are capped at two students per instructor, every dive is supervised from the surface, and rescue and black-out response are taught from day one.
Do I have to be very fit or a strong swimmer?
You need to be able to swim, and for Wave 1 to swim 200 m unaided. Fitness helps, but relaxation matters more — the divers who progress fastest in their first week are usually the calmest, not the strongest.
What should I bring?
Swimwear, a towel, water and a signed medical statement. Wetsuit, mask, fins, weights, line and buoy are included, and we pick you up at the ferry terminal in Mġarr.
Beginner courses
Pick your starting point
Reviews
What divers say
“Top guy! Relaxed instructor, zero ego, safe and confidence inspiring. I did the Wave 1 course over the past few days and couldn't be happier. Octopus, eels, pipe fish, caves... And we saw a seahorse. Thanks dude.”
Terry James Walker
Local Guide · 14 reviews · 8 photos
Google review
“Ivan was an exceptional instructor during my Freediving Wave 1 course. His expertise and guidance were invaluable, leading to my successful certification. What set Ivan apart was not just his teaching skills but also his warm personality”
Paolo
8 reviews
Google review
“I had a great time diving with Ivan! I am Molchanovs Wave 1 and came to Malta to expand my depth experience and maybe get some new PBs (and i did!). I dived with Ivan for 3 days in a row - all great session where I improved my dives every day and got familiar with new techniques and theory. Thank you, Ivan - see you next time!”
Esben Gejl
1 review
Google review
“Amazing experience with Ivan. I was looking for freediving vibes again and I definitely found it and more in Malta thanks to Ivan. Super kind and skilled freediving instructor, I learnt a lot with him. I would definitely recommend anyone”
Arthur Vandermeir
6 reviews
Google review
“I did Wave 1 here and it was super good! Ivan is a very kind and chill instructor, and I really appreciated his understanding of the psychology behind freediving”
Linas Zigmantas
8 reviews
a week ago
Google review
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Freediving Malta · Gozo