I first learned about freediving when I watched a video of a Bajau spearfisherman, a member of the nomadic tribe living in the waters of southern Philippines as well as parts of Indonesia and Malaysia. In the video, he stayed underwater for over five minutes, diving to depths of around 30 feet to hunt for his next meal. It blew my mind that anyone could hold their breath that long—especially since I could barely manage 15 seconds! That was the moment I decided freediving in Batangas was something I wanted to try.
So, last October, I finally took the plunge and tried an introductory freediving course in Batangas with a group of my high school friends. And now, I finally understand why so many people are getting hooked on freediving. It feels like gliding through an underwater forest, where sounds are muffled, movements slow down, and your body feels weightless. Freediving creates this surreal escape—your worries fade, and for a brief moment, you feel one with the sea. This is the magic that keeps freedivers coming back for more.
If you’re curious about trying freediving in Batangas, you’re in the right place! Read on to hear about my experience and to learn what makes freediving in Batangas so special.
Also, if you’re excited about freediving in Batangas, you might also want to check out my Bohol Itinerary! It covers all the must-see spots in Bohol and includes an unforgettable freediving experience in Panglao.
Table of Contents
Introductory Freediving Training
Day 1: Learning Freediving Fundamentals
“No one goes home without learning freediving after the intro freediving course,” said one of the coaches of SEAngle Breath Freediver. I didn’t know if I will be inspired or pressured by that statement. Honestly, I was scared of the ocean. When I was a child, I almost drowned in a swimming pool and at Wawa Dam during a family outing. Since then I have this fear of drowning especially in natural bodies of water like rivers and ocean. I tried to overcome my fears by swimming without a life vest and scuba diving whenever I have the chance. It somehow lessened my anxiety but I still get scared when there is no outrigger boat in sight to hold on to.
SEAngle Breath Freediver’s introductory freediving training is a two-day course, part lecture style learning and part open water session. We spent an hour and half learning about Freediving Fundamentals, from proper breathing techniques, equalization (Valsalva and Frenzel Maneuver), safety and problem management. We did a bit of yoga too for relaxation and flexibility.
Day 1: Open Water Session
Later that morning, we changed in to our swimwear and got in the ocean for our open water session. Coach Francis led our group with a buoy for us to hang onto. I was really scared to swim in the open sea but I told myself that our coach is an expert so I felt I was in good hands. We swam for about 20 minutes until we reached a certain depth that our coach felt like we can manage. He secured our buoy underwater to a big rock. I was really impressed when he did this because he stayed underwater for about 1-2 minutes.
He instructed us to take slow, deep breaths and to make sure that we breathe out for much longer than we breathe in. He also reiterated the importance of pre-equalization and equalization. Then he thought us how to do a proper duck dive, which I found to be extremely difficult to do! Coach Francis instructed us to dive one by one. While one person is freediving, the rest of the group did relaxation and pre-equalization. I was really frustrated because I wasn’t successful with my duck dive that morning. We went back to the HQ after about 2 hours in the ocean.
After lunch, Coach Francis told us to take a nap at the beachside nipa hut before we proceed with our afternoon open water session. It was one of the best afternoon naps I’ve had in a while! Then we changed back to our swimwear, did some yoga and stretching before we head back to the ocean.
The first hour of our afternoon session was frustrating because I still couldn’t do a proper duck dive. I wanted to give up already but our coach instructed me to try a different approach and it worked! I was so happy and satisfied. Just before the sun set, I managed to do another dive, which I believe was about 8 meters, and emerged from the water with the biggest grin possible! That afternoon open water session was so memorable because I finally understood why freediving is so addicting.
Day 2: Open Water Session at Binukbok
On our second day of training, we woke up early for breakfast and for yoga. It was so chill and relaxing! I felt so confident with my newly acquired skills that I couldn’t wait for our morning open water session. At around 8:30 in the morning, we discussed a bit of freediving fundamentals again before we headed out into open water to put what we have learned the previous day to the test.
As you can see in the photos below, my friends and I were pretty confident with freediving already. We saw a hawksbill turtle at Binukbok and all of us were so game to dive and get a photo with it. The coaches of SEAngle Breath Freediver took us to some of the best freediving spots and of course, we got a bunch of awesome photos too! Our morning open water has been nothing short of amazing!
Is it difficult to learn freediving?
At first, it was difficult for me but later I realized that it was a fight against myself. If you say you can’t, or you’re just afraid to try, you won’t be able to do it. But you have to tell yourself you can. That’s the fight and that’s what you’re up against. I almost gave up when I could not do a proper duck dive. I already accepted to myself that maybe freediving wasn’t for me.
Thankfully, Coach Francis did not give up on me and instead, instructed me to try a different approach. And guess what?! It worked and it was the best feeling ever! It’s really hard to explain but since I was able to do it the first time, it was as if my body has memorized it. I did not have a hard time when I did duck dive the next time.
Do I need to be a swimmer?
If before this course you would say to me that a non-swimmer would be able to freedive and hold his breath underwater for over a minute, I would definitely say it’s impossible. After my introductory freediving in Batangas, I witnessed non-swimmers learned how to swim and to freedive. Even non-swimmers with water trauma were able to learn! No matter what swimming level you are in, you need not to worry because highly-qualified instructors will be with you at all times and ready to rescue if needed.
Overall Experience
If you are afraid swimming in the ocean without a life vest, join one of SEAngle Breath Freediver’s introductory freediving in Batangas. I guarantee that you will learn how to freedive safely and effectively. It’s a great place to start your freediving journey and their trainings will take your confidence in the ocean to a place you never thought possible. My friends and I learned to freedive up to 10 meters and hold our breaths underwater for almost 1 minute, which is a great feat considering it was all our first time to try freediving.
Thank you so much Coach Francis of SEAngle Breath Freediver for pushing me to overcome my fears and self-doubt. If I never pushed past that initial disappointment, I’d never know what the world looks like deep below the water’s surface without scuba tank and now, I have no doubts that I will come back for more! Thanks to the best diving buddies Patricia, Jett and Maki! This trip won’t be amazing without you girls!
Freediving in Batangas: How to get to SEAngle Breath Freediver HQ
By Public Transportation
– Board a bus at Jam Liner (EDSA Cubao) or DLTB (Buendia Terminal) bound for Lemery. One way bus fare is 187 pesos and travel time is 3-4 hours.
– Get off at Xentro Mall Lemery and take a tricycle to Balite Parking in San Luis, Batangas. One way fare is 200 pesos (good for 3-4 pax) and travel time is 30 minutes.
– Once in the jump-off point, wait for the scheduled boat pick-up by SEAngle Breath Freediver HQ at 6:30 AM.
By Private Car
– By private car, it will take 3 hours to get San Luis, Batangas. Take the 3rd Lipa Exit in South Expressway to Lemery, Batangas. Use Google Maps or Waze to locate San Luis, Batangas. Once in the jump-off point, wait for the scheduled boat pick-up by SEAngle Breath Freediver HQ at 6:30 AM.
Where to Book your Freediving in Batangas?
SEAngle Breath Freediver
Location: San Luis/Bauan, Batangas, Philippines
Contact Number: (+63)956 931 9646
Email Address: seanglebreath@gmail.com
Official Facebook Page: @SEAnglebreath
Intro Freediving Package Inclusions (4,200 pesos):
- Scheduled Boat Transfer (from/to HQ)
- Shared Fan Room (2D1N)
- 5 Full Board Meals (2D1N)
- Facility Fee (Day Trip)
- Lunch and Snack (Day Trip)
- Drinking water with Coffee or Hot Chocolate
- FREE Use Set of Gears
- FREE Underwater Photos
- Freediving Lesson Fee
Exclusions:
- MNL-Batangas-MNL/Van rental/Car pool
- Breakfast on Day 1
- Overnight Parking Fee, if any
If you want to learn more about freediving in Batangas, then please do not hesitate to leave a comment below! I really hope you get to experience the beauty underwater on a SEAngle breath!
