Before you choose
What you need to know about this experience
Apnea, or freediving, means diving while holding your breath, without a tank. A course teaches breathing and relaxation techniques, equalising your ears, finning, weighting and, above all, buddy safety: the basic rule is never to freedive alone.
In Tenerife there are schools in the south, the metropolitan area and the east, with courses certified by agencies such as AIDA, SSI, PADI or Apnea Academy. This page explains the levels and what to check.
At a glance
| Aspect | What to expect |
|---|---|
| What it is | Breath-hold diving with technique and safety protocols |
| Formats | Freediving taster or courses by level |
| Common certification agencies on the island | AIDA, SSI, PADI, Apnea Academy |
| Content | Theory, confined water or pool and open water |
| Areas | South and east coasts, with sheltered spots and good visibility |
| Requirement | Being able to swim and feeling comfortable in the water |
| Safety | Always with a buddy and a line with a buoy |
| Price | Depends on the level, duration and equipment |
Taster or course
| Format | What it includes | Suits you if… |
|---|---|---|
| Freediving taster | Basic theory, breathing and first dives; no certification | You want to try it |
| Beginner level | Full course with theory, pool and sea; moderate depths | You want solid foundations |
| Intermediate level | Free fall, COâ‚‚ tables, rescue; requires a previous level | You already have a basic certification |
| Advanced level | Efficiency techniques and greater depth | You train regularly |
Each agency has its own names and depth limits for each level. Ask for the programme in writing.
What you learn
- Breathing and relaxation before the dive.
- Equalising your ears (manoeuvres such as Frenzel).
- Finning technique and free fall.
- Correct weighting.
- Safety: signals, buddy system and basic rescue.
Safety: the non-negotiable rule
Freediving is never done alone. There is always a buddy watching from the surface and, on courses, a weighted line with a buoy to control depth.
Other usual precautions:
- Do not hyperventilate before a dive.
- Respect the recovery times at the surface.
- Do not freedive after scuba diving on the same day without following the instructor’s recommendations.
- Do not fly immediately after deep sessions: one offer we reviewed states 24 hours.
Who it suits
- People comfortable in the water who want to improve their snorkelling.
- Anyone looking for a calm discipline based on mental control.
- Scuba divers who want another way to go down.
Who it may not suit, and what to weigh up
- Ear, respiratory or heart problems: see a doctor first.
- Pregnancy.
- Anyone who cannot swim.
- Anyone looking for a quick adrenaline rush: freediving requires calm and gradual progress.
How to choose well
- Which agency and which level?
- How many students per instructor?
- Does it include pool or confined water sessions?
- What equipment is included? Some schools do not include the wetsuit, fins or mask.
- Is insurance included?
- Where do the dives take place?
- How many days does it last and how many sea sessions are there?
What is usually included and what to check
| Item | Usual practice | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Qualified instructor | Included | Certification agency |
| Line, buoy and weights | Included | — |
| Wetsuit, fins and mask | Sometimes not included | If there is hire |
| Insurance | Common | That it is included |
| Certification | On courses, yes | Cost included or separate |
Weather and sea
- It can be done all year round; the water is around 19–24 °C depending on the season.
- With a ground swell, the school changes site or postpones the session.
Price: what it depends on
We do not give a reference figure.
- Taster or course, and level.
- Number of days and sessions.
- Equipment included and certification.
What to bring
- Swimwear, towel and a change of clothes.
- Your own equipment, if you have it.
- Water and a snack.
- A medical certificate, if you need one.
Alternatives and how to compare them
| If you are looking for… | Best option |
|---|---|
| Scuba diving without certification | Try dive in Tenerife |
| Swimming at the surface looking at the seabed | Snorkellingling in Tenerife |
| Dives for certified divers | Diving for certified divers |
Frequently asked questions
Do you need experience for a freediving course?
Not for the taster or the beginner level. You do for the intermediate levels.
Can you freedive alone?
No. Always with a buddy and, on courses, with a line and buoy.
Which agencies operate in Tenerife?
Schools on the island work with AIDA, SSI, PADI and Apnea Academy, among others.
Do you need to be able to swim?
Yes.
Can I fly afterwards?
Not immediately. One offer we reviewed advises waiting 24 hours after the last dive.
Is equipment included?
It depends on the school: some do not include the wetsuit, fins or mask.