8 Places That Made Us Fall in Love With the Ocean
Freediving travel doesn't need to be complicated. Warm water, good visibility, and marine life worth diving for — that's our winning formula.
We explored Omadhoo, a tiny local island in the Maldives where we did our own DIY dives…
We've been travelling full time for the last 18 months, moving between destinations specifically chosen for their underwater appeal. No fixed base, no office, just fins, a mask, and a running list of places people kept telling us we had to see.
Between us we've freedived across Southeast Asia, the Red Sea, the Mediterranean, and the Indian Ocean. We've trained in some of the world's best-known freediving spots and stumbled across hidden reefs that nobody seems to talk about. We're AIDA-certified instructors who've nearly spent more time in the ocean this past year and a half than out of it — and we've learned that the best freediving destinations aren't always the most obvious ones.
These eight places are the ones we keep recommending, and we’d return to in a heartbeat. We've dived them all ourselves, some of them multiple times, and every entry on this list is there because it earned its place.
If you're new to freediving and wondering where to start your own travel list, or if you're already hooked and looking for your next destination — this is our honest guide.
Sataya Reef, Red Sea, Egypt
Come here for one reason: the dolphins.
Sataya is a 5km stretch of Red Sea reef with a resident pod of over 100 spinner dolphins that come to the reef everyday. The way to do it is on a liveaboard boat — you base yourself on the reef for several days and the dolphins come to you. Getting in the water quietly and freediving alongside them in open water is one of the most extraordinary things freediving makes possible. Everything the sport teaches you — stillness, patience, calm breath — is exactly what this experience asks for.
The reef diving between dolphin sessions is excellent too, with varied coral formations and good marine life throughout.
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Good for: wildlife encounters, liveaboard trips, experienced freedivers. Tip: book a dedicated freediving liveaboard rather than a scuba trip — a quieter approach in the water makes all the difference with the dolphins.
Gili Air, Lombok, Indonesia
One of the most accessible special freediving spots we’ve visted. Mainly for the energy of the relaxed island lifestyle here. There are no cars here, only push bikes and electric scooters. And the island is small enough that you can walk around it, but big enough that there’s enough to keep you busy, with classes, yoga, workshops and a fantastic restaurant selection.
The reef runs between the islands and the turtle sightings here are almost guaranteed. Green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles feed on the seagrass and coral, and they're used to people in the water. The current picks up over the reef and its best visited at high tide.
Good for: shore freediving, beginners, turtle encounters, drift dives. Tip: freedive between the islands at high tide and let the current do the work.
Dhigurah & Omadhoo, Maldives
The Maldives doesn't have to mean a luxury resort. Stay local — it's cheaper! Take a speedboat from Malé to the local islands of South Ari Atoll instead.
Omadhoo is a quiet fishing island with one of the best house reefs we've ever dived — starting just 30m from shore, with year-round visibility and a huge diversity of marine life including sharks, rays, and turtles. We even did our own DIY night dive off the pier, accompanied by the most nurse sharks and sting rays we’ve ever seen.
Dhigurah is nearby and sits right in the heart of the whale shark zone, with year-round sightings possible and regular manta encounters too.
Guesthouses, local food, a fraction of the resort price, and marine life that matches anything the five-star properties offer.
Good for: whale sharks, manta rays, house reef snorkelling and freediving, budget Maldives travel.
Tip: do both islands in one trip — they're close together and complement each other perfectly.
Siquijor, Philippines
A quieter, less-visited island in the Visayas with exceptional water clarity, healthy reef systems, and turtles on almost every dive.
Tubod Marine Sanctuary has been protected for over 30 years and it shows — diverse coral, abundant fish, giant clams, and reliable turtle sightings. For underwater photography and video, the visibility and light here are hard to beat. There are also dramatic caves and swim throughs for the more confident freedivers. One for photographers and anyone who wants to really explore.
Siquijor island is a special place, and known for its healing qualities. If its your kind of thing, you can visit one of the islands traditional healers for an experience you won’t forget.
Good for: underwater photography, reef diving, turtle encounters, photographers.
Tip: visit multiple areas and explore a bit to find some hidden spots.
Koh Tao, Thailand
Where Immy first tried freediving, and still one of the best places in the world to start your freediving journey.
The water is warm year-round, the island has a relaxed pace that makes the diving feel so chill, with a big diving community here (scuba too) and holistic wellness scene, so you can unwind after your session with some yoga. There are enough good dive sites accessible by short boat or scooter ride to keep you busy for a week. A strong freediving community has grown here over the years, with good courses and training available. If you're new to freediving and want somewhere beginner friendly, beautiful, and warm to start — this is it.
Good for: beginner freedivers, first courses, tropical island life.
Tip: take a course here if you haven't already — the conditions make it one of the most enjoyable places in the world to learn.
Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia
Stay on Lembongan rather than the busier Nusa Penida — it's quieter, easier to get around by scooter, and still puts you right on the doorstep of Manta Point.
A short boat ride from the island, Manta Point is one of the most reliable places in the world to get in the water with manta rays. They feed close to the surface on plankton pushed in by the currents, and congregate by a more shallow rock, which is a cleaning station. That means smaller marine species clean the Mantas of parasites - it’s like their own ocean spa!
On a good day (which we absolutely had!) you'll have them gliding beneath you within minutes of entering the water. It was so beautiful seeing such huge, majestic and gentle animals in the widl.
Good for: experienced freedivers, manta encounters, marine photography.
Tip: Book a private tour, we arrived as the morning public boats were leaving, and got a good chunk of time with no one else around.
Dahab, Egypt
The freediving capital of the world.
Shore access to 40m+ depth right from the centre of town at Lighthouse Bay. A sheltered bay with permanent moored buoys of varying depths makes it the perfect place to progress your depth training. Competitive freedivers from around the world come here to train for months at a time. You’ll be rubbing shouldera with some of the greatest divers on the planet; it can feel daunting but its also an opportunity to learn more. We did 5 training sessions with Egyptian record holder Khaled Elgammal - take advatage of these opportunities while you’re there!
Then there's the Blue Hole — a submarine sinkhole reaching over 100m deep, 20 minutes by taxi, with freedivers of all levels in the water every morning.
It's also one of the most affordable freediving destinations in the world. Good courses, good coaching, good conditions year-round. If you're serious about improving, Dahab is where you go.
Good for: training, depth progression, beginners to advanced, budget travel.
Tip: give yourself at least a week. The real value kicks in once you're settled into a rhythm and adapted.
Yalikavak, Bodrum Peninsula, Turkey
Turkey doesn't always make freediving lists, its a bit of an underrated gem.
Yalikavak is a well-located town on the northwest tip of the Bodrum Peninsula with a great marina, excellent restaurants, and boat access to some stunning, clear Aegean water. Hire a private boat for the day and head out to the small islands scattered off the coast. The coves are only reachable by sea, the water clarity is exceptional, and you'll often have the best spots entirely to yourself. A great option if you want to combine a proper holiday with quality freediving.
Grab a bicycle and cycle out of town to explore some of the secluded local beaches with beautiful water clarity.
Good for: boat-based freediving, couples and groups, combining travel with diving. Tip: hire a private boat rather than joining a group tour — you choose the spots and stay as long as you want.
Fancy visiting some of these freediving spots? Sign up to our mailing list to be first to hear about our latest group trips when they are announced - we will be going back to some of these places.
