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Considering freediving in Cebu in 2025? Keep reading. Cebu offers some of the BEST freediving in the Philippines. But there are some important things to need before you go. In this article, we are going to tell you everything you need to know about freediving in Cebu.
This article is packed with useful information to help you plan your freediving experience, whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced freediver. In this article we will recommend specific schools and courses. We will also give you tips and insights to help you make the most of freediving in Cebu. In this article we have included prices and plenty of top tips to help you plan your trip.
We are writing this article from our own first-hand experience. Cebu offers some of the best freediving we have experienced anywhere in the world.
Why try freediving in Cebu?
Over the past few years, we have fallen in love with freediving. There is something truly unique and beautiful about this sport. Freediving is not just something that you do; it is something that you become. Freediving is not just about exploring the ocean; it is about exploring yourself.
The paradox of freediving is this: in freediving, you push yourself right up to your physiological and psychological limits, and yet the only way to get there is to be more calm, more composed, and more centered. So, freediving really is about finding a deep inner peace and overcoming your innate instincts. freediving is also the perfect way to immerse yourself in the surreal underwater landscape.
We absolutely love the experience and sensation of weightlessness when you achieve neutral buoyancy. There is also something very free and beautiful about the way that you can move your body underwater when you are freediving (compare this to scuba diving, where you are using a weight belt and air tank).
What better place to freedive than the stunning clear waters around Cebu? They are packed with an array of tropical fish, colorful reef, and beautiful sea turtles. The waters around Cebu are genuinely some of the most beautiful waters we have experienced. What’s more, the best freediving spots are extremely accessible from the shore. In many destinations, you need to take a boat ride to the best freediving spots, whereas in Cebu, you can genuinely paddle out from the beach (no expensive island hopping trips or overpriced private boats needed).
NOT FOR YOU? – Why not try Diving? Find out Everything you need to know about Diving in Cebu
What is the best location to go freediving in Cebu?
The best location to go freediving in Cebu is Moalboal. In fact, not only is that the best destination for freediving in Cebu, it is one of the best destinations for freediving in the Philippines. In this area, the water is clear, deep, and beautiful, and the biodiversity is very impressive. It is possible to do beautiful deep free dives as little as 50 meters from the shore.
The average visibility in this area is around 15m, depending on the conditions. (On a bad day, the visibility may be as little as 5m, and on a good day, it can be 20 to 30 meters.) The maximum depth in this area is around 40m. There are also several great options in terms of courses, experiences, and instructors. Keep reading because we will share everything. Find out how to get to Moalboal from Cebu City.
Advantages of Moalboal
- Amazing biodiversity
- Plenty of places to stay and eat
- Lots of places to rent equipment
- Several freediving schools
- Very clear water
- Amazing biodiversity (famous for sea turtles & the sardine run)
- Healthy colorful reef
- Fascinating underwater topography – steep reef drop off
- Dive to 40m very close to the shore
- Freediving culture – easy to find a buddy
- Great visibility – often 15m or more
- Warm water – no wetsuit needed
What can you see Freediving in Moalboal?
Moalboal really does offer some of the BEST freediving in the Philippines. The ocean floor topography is unique and very beautiful. Coral drop-off is equivalent to a spectacular underwater Cliff stretching deepest 30m – 40m in places. If you have time don’t miss the mermaid sea sculpture which is situated around 50m from the beach in front of the Brand New Dive Resort (we have marked the location on the map)
There are plenty of sea turtles in the area (you don’t need to spend long in the water to see one!). Moalboal is famous for the magnificent sardine run. Freediving is one of the best ways to experience the sardine run in its full glory. Diving deep below the surface through an incredible swirl of sardines and then looking back up at the magnificent scale of the formation is truly breathtaking (excuse the pun). There are also plenty of unique beautiful and fascinating fish in the diverse reef.
For example you can see lion fish, pufferfish, bat fish, clown fish, starfish, seahorses and banded sea kraits. The coral reef in this area is particularly healthy and colourful with a wide range of different coral including table top corals brain corals.
How much does it cost to go freediving in Cebu?
The cheapest way to go freediving in Cebu is to find a freediving buddy and go independently. One way to find a freediving buddy is to join a freediving community on Facebook and put out a public post asking if there is anyone in Cebu who was looking for a diving partner. Remember, you should never free dive on your own. Always dive with a qualified and experienced buddy.
Even if you go freediving independently and do not go with a school, there may still be a few costs. For example, you may need to rent a snorkel, mask, and fins. If you go freediving in an area like Moalboal, also need to pay an environmental fee to be in the water. This costs 100 pesos per person (around £1.40 or $1.80) and you can pay at the kiosk in the Panagsama beach area near Chilli Bar. If you’re staying a few days, request they put the full date range of your visit on the receipt and keep hold of your receipt.
What equipment do you need for freediving in Cebu?
Equipment is a big question in freediving. It very much depends on exactly what you want to do and also on your personal needs and goals. Every free diver has their own preferences when it comes to equipment. And some free divers choose to travel with their own kit, and other free divers prefer to rent equipment on location.
Wetsuit and weights (not necessary)
You will be glad to hear that the ocean and temperature in Cebu is warm throughout the year, and that it is not necessary to free dive with a wet suit. So you don’t really need to dive with a weight belt and weights (unless you want to). If you do wish to get hold of a weight belt, you will need to borrow one from a diving shop or freediving school.
Mask, snorkel & fins
Many people free dive in Cebu just to experience the beautiful underwater landscape and incredible biodiversity. If you are doing casual fun diving (0-10m), you only need a mask, snorkel, and swimming fins (In fact, some people even free dive without fins). If you want to do more serious freediving, you may need long fins and a low volume mask.
Diving Computer (diving watch)
If you’re wanting to track your dives and measure your progress, you may also consider a diving computer. These can be relatively expensive. If you dive with a freediving school, they should have a diving computer, and they may be willing to lend it to you or to dive with you so that you know you’re back.
Freediving buoy
You may also want to use a freediving buoy and line. Using a freediving buoy gives you a place to rest before and after your dives. You can also hold the line underwater to control your ascent or descent or to stop and have a rest (for example, if you need to take time to equalize). Another big advantage of using a line is the ability to gauge your own depth without relying on a diving computer. So, for example, you know when you have made it to 10 meters, 20 meters, or 30 meters. However, it is not easy to travel with a freediving buoy, and they are difficult to rent. So if you are hoping to use a buoy, you will need to book a session with a freediving school (schools do not normally rent these out).
Top tip: if you do not have access to a freediving buoy but you need somewhere to rest between your dives, then we highly recommend renting a life ring. If you are diving in Moalboal, then you will find it quite easy to get hold of a light ring (Lots of rental shops generally costs around have life rings to rent). It generally costs around 100 pesos to rent a life ring. Although this does not give you a line, so you will not be able to do free immersion (This is why you pull yourself underwater using the rope). Using a life ring gives you a buoyant place to rest before and after your dives.
Rental prices in Cebu (especially around Moalboal)
Here are some examples of equipment rental prices in Cebu: It generally costs around 100 pesos to rent a snorkel and mask. Be aware that you may not be able to get a low volume mask for freediving. If you are a more experienced free diver and you’re hoping to go deeper than 15 – 20m, we recommend getting hold of a good low volume mask. You can normally rent short swimming fins for around 100 Pesos per day. These fins are sufficient for deep dives (I was able to comfortably dive to 30 meters using these fins). In Moalboal, you can easily rent long fins starting at 300 pesos per day.
If you’re planning to rent equipment for a few days, you may be able to negotiate a cheaper deal, especially if you are renting several items from a particular shop. Remember, prices are always flexible in the Philippines.
1 What is the best option for a beginner?
If you are new to freediving, then we recommend a discovery dive. We don’t recommend investing in an expensive course straight away. If freediving is not for you, then this is not a good use of money. For example, you may try freediving for the first time and struggle with equalization; the whole experience could be very unpleasant and not enjoyable. If you are looking for a discovery dive, then we highly recommend Moalboal Freediving, which is situated in the Panagsama Beach area next to Tipolo Beach Resort. Typically, Discover Freediving courses range in price from 1,000 – 3,000 pesos (around £14 – £40 or $16 – $50) depending on the course length and instructor.
2 What is the best option for an experienced freediver?
If you are an experienced free diver and you are hoping to visit Cebu to practice, then we recommend two things. If you are hoping to do some line training, we recommend that you book a session or two with Freediving Moalboal.
Freediving Moalboal offer very affordable line training sessions, and they have a lot of experience and resources. They will be able to rent equipment and help you take your diving to new depths. It is important to be aware that they do not offer accredited courses; this is just informal practice. If you’re looking for accredited courses, you will need to go with one of the other freediving schools. For an experienced free diver, we also recommend doing some fun dives around Moalboal. If you already have a diving buddy who you are traveling with, then you can rent some equipment together and go.
However, if you are traveling solo or you do not have a diving buddy, then we recommend speaking to Freediving Moalboal. You should be able to get a diving safety buddy for around 700 pesos for an hour (around £10 or $12). Essentially, this is a bit like doing a private snorkeling trip; however, you are going to do some deeper dives, and you need someone to help you stay safe. You can generally do an hour of line training for around 1,000 – 1,500 pesos (around £14 – £20 or $16 – $25).
3 What is the best accredited freediving course in Cebu?
If you’re looking to do an accredited freediving course in Cebu, you will need to find an official freediving school. We recommend Orca Freedivers (more about them in a moment). There are several different accrediting bodies for freediving courses, and for all intents and purposes, they are relatively similar in terms of the standards and requirements. The biggest and most broadly recognized freediving body is called AIDA.
The advantage of doing an AIDA Training course is the quality of the resources. The training manual is extensive, comprehensive, and in-depth (excuse the pun). Also, as a general rule, some of the best freediving instructors in the world are affiliated with AIDA. If you take either course, there is a good chance that you will be trained by a professional freediver with experience of competitions.
The Best Freediving School in Cebu – Orca Freedivers (AIDA)
If you are looking for a fun, challenging, and in-depth freediving course, then we highly recommend training with Orca Freedivers. The instructor is called Czar. He is a highly experienced AIDA freediving instructor, and he is also a specialist in the no-fins discipline (yep, that is freediving without fins!). He is a 4-times record holder for the no-fins discipline in the Philippines. Impressively, Czar can swim as deep as 60m without using any fins.
FIND OUT MORE – The Best Freediving School in Moalboal
As an instructor, Czar has a calm, steady approach; he is very good at reading you and recognizing your strengths and limitations. Czar takes time to get to know you and help you identify and overcome your personal obstacles.
Introduction to Freediving Certificate (AIDA 1)
Learn introductory skills such as relaxation of body and mind, finning techniques, duck dives and equalisation. 1 day course 7,500 pesos (around £100 or $120)
Freediver certification (AIDA 2)
To qualify you need to hold your breath for 2 minutes (lying face down holding a buoy). You need to swim 40 meters on a single breath and dive to 12 meters (with fins). You also need to pass a theoretical exam. The course is 2.5 days: 11,500 pesos (£160 or $200)
Advanced Freediver (AIDA 3)
To qualify you need to hold your breath for 2:45 minutes. You need to swim 55 meters on a breath hold and dive to at least 24 meters (with fins). There is also a theoretical exam. The course is 3 days: Php 16,000: (£225 or $275)
Other Courses
You can also do an Introduction Class (no certificate) half day costs 3,000 pesos (£40 or $50). Alternatively you can do Line Training which costs 1,500 pesos for an hour (around £20 or $25)
Phone +639171652089
FIND OUT MORE – Orca Freedivers (Moalboal) Official Facebook Page
Important safety tips for freediving
There are some very important safety rules when it comes to freediving. We can only give you an introduction to a handful of the most important rules; if you want to learn to free dive safely, then we recommend taking a course. One of the most important safety rules in freediving is always to dive with a buddy. Blackouts are one of the biggest risks in freediving. If you black out in the water and you do not have a buddy, you will drown.
Another very important rule is to avoid hyperventilation. You should never hyperventilate before a dive because this spikes your blood CO2 level, and this can result in a shallow water blackout. Before you dive, your breathing always needs to be slow, steady, deep, and calm. The pre-diving phase is about relaxation, slowing your heart rate, and oxygenating your blood.
If you’re planning to push yourself and go to new depths, then we recommend going with a qualified freediving instructor and using professional safety equipment. Always follow the advice of your instructor and listen to your body.
