The Flying Dolphin Company
Amorgos, Greece
Freediving school and retreat in Amorgos and the Red Sea, led by an AIDA instructor whose background spans business, theatre, music, and somatic therapy — apnea as sport, ecology, and inner journey.
Overview
About The Flying Dolphin Company
The Flying Dolphin Company is a freediving school and retreat run by AIDA instructor Michaël Benoit Delfini on the island of Amorgos, Greece, with annual expeditions to Sataya in the Red Sea. Programs blend apnea training with breathwork, sound therapy, and artistic exploration — freediving as sport, ecology, and inner journey. The flagship Big Blue Experience (6 days, €680) covers six apnea sessions across Amorgos dive sites including Agia Anna — the beach from Luc Besson's The Big Blue — combined with physical training, a hiking session, and a sound travel. A second retreat, Freediving & Music (5–6 days, €750), pairs morning apnea with afternoon collective music, sound therapy, and Thai massage. Michaël brings a rare background to the water: AIDA Instructor Trainer with personal bests of 51 m free immersion and 6-minute static, and a parallel career spanning theatre, music, and somatic bodywork.
Small-group immersive teaching that combines apnea technique with breathwork, physical training, and sensory practices. Sessions alternate between water work — breath-hold dives, Delfinian Swimming, static and dynamic apnea — and land-based activities including sound therapy, hiking, and collective music. The natural environment of Amorgos is treated as part of the curriculum. Beginner and intermediate groups run in parallel where needed.
Whether you are looking to discover apnea for the first time or earn a recognised freediving certification in Amorgos, The Flying Dolphin Company provides a structured path. The school is well-suited to first-time freedivers and those learning breath-hold technique for the first time. Instruction is available in English and French.
The people behind it
Meet the Founders
Michaël Benoit Delfini
AIDA Instructor since 2017, with personal bests of 51 m free immersion, 50 m constant weight, 6-minute static apnea, and 100 m dynamic bi-fins. ESSEC MBA graduate (2004), trained actor and stage director at the Cours Florent (2009), playwright with Compagnie Artichaut since 2010, certified musician MUMA Nantes (2019). Trained in Paul Rébillot's Theatre of Healing (2015–2016), Tibetan bowls and shamanic percussion (2014), and Aquasoma somatic bodywork (2023). Has taught freediving at Abyss Garden (France), Amorgos (Greece), and Sataya (Egypt).
Sabine Pappas
Facilitator and co-creator of immersive learning experiences combining movement, storytelling, and ecological awareness within dolphin-inspired frameworks.
Ideal for
Who should learn freediving at The Flying Dolphin Company
Beginners
Programs are open to complete beginners.
Advanced
The legendary Big Blue island with deep Aegean water and an annual competition that draws top athletes.
Training focus
Led solely by AIDA instructor Michaël Benoit Delfini.
Why this school
What makes The Flying Dolphin Company stand out
Coaching approach
Small-group immersive teaching that combines apnea technique with breathwork, physical training, and sensory practices. Sessions alternate between water work — breath-hold dives, Delfinian Swimming, static and dynamic apnea — and land-based activities including sound therapy, hiking, and collective music. The natural environment of Amorgos is treated as part of the curriculum. Beginner and intermediate groups run in parallel where needed.
Class format
Classes are kept to a small-group format to ensure more personal attention and actual dive time. All required freediving equipment is included during the course so you don't have to carry your own.
Course progression
The school focuses on entry-level freediving, from first breath-hold sessions through beginner certifications. Best suited for newcomers exploring the sport before progressing elsewhere.
Courses & Pricing
The Flying Dolphin Company freediving courses and prices in Amorgos
The Flying Dolphin Company lists 5 course options, pricing on request.
This represents a visible ladder from first course to more committed progression across balanced training milestones, all delivered under AIDA frameworks.
Big Blue Experience (Freediving Camp)
From
~ $741 USD
Freediving & Music Retreat
From
~ $818 USD
Sataya Dolphin Retreat
From
~ $1695 USD
Freediving Initiation
Online Breathwork Training
Training environment
Training sites and conditions in Amorgos
Training in Amorgos takes place in the raw, clear waters of the Aegean Sea — an environment Michaël describes as sometimes initiatory in character, where deep cliffs, open water, and Greek light combine into a freediving experience unlike any dive resort. The Sataya retreat is conducted from a liveaboard yacht anchored in a protected coral reef lagoon in the Egyptian Red Sea, with warm water and excellent visibility year-round.
Amorgos gives the school boat-based access to the main training sites with up to 140m depth available in the broader destination profile.
At a glance
Facilities, languages & certifications
Certifications
Languages
Facilities
Equipment included (Amorgos camps), Open water training, Outdoor training environments, Retreat accommodation (Sataya yacht), Workshop spaces
What you get
What is included in courses
Courses at The Flying Dolphin Company include equipment (Eliosub 5mm wetsuit, Cressi Calibro mask, fins), transport to dive sites, two meals in local taverns (Big Blue Experience), apnea sessions (theory and practice), and static apnea session. Equipment is provided as part of the course.
Certification fees, transport to training sites, and other costs may be included or separate depending on the course. Booking via direct contact with Michaël: michael.benoit@ntymail.com or +33 6 80 43 99 79. For the Freediving & Music retreat, contact blue@flyingdolphincompany.fr or +33 7 68 04 30 16. Retreats have fixed dates and limited group sizes — early reservation recommended.
Dive conditions
Learn to freedive in Amorgos
Amorgos offers boat-based access, reliable line depth, and a competition-focused culture with boat-based access to the main training sites and sets the water profile for The Flying Dolphin Company.
The Flying Dolphin Company is based in Amorgos.
Surface water temperature ranges from 17 to 26 °C year-round, with the best window falling in May–September.
Spring and summer season in Amorgos. Big Blue Experience runs in June, late June/early July, mid-July, and September. Freediving & Music retreat runs in early June. Retreat dates are published at the start of the season with limited group sizes.
Destination
Discover the destination
Learn more about where The Flying Dolphin Company is based — conditions, best season, depth, and more.
Alternatives
Compare The Flying Dolphin Company with other schools in Amorgos
Other freediving schools in Amorgos with listed courses, certifications, and pricing.
Got questions?
Frequently asked questions about The Flying Dolphin Company
Everything you need to know about freediving, training, and choosing the right destination.
01 What certifications does The Flying Dolphin Company offer?
The Flying Dolphin Company offers AIDA certification courses. This certification is recognized internationally.
02 How much do courses at The Flying Dolphin Company cost?
Prices at The Flying Dolphin Company start from EUR 680 for entry-level courses and go up to EUR 1555 for advanced levels. Course duration ranges from 6 days to self-paced.
03 Who is The Flying Dolphin Company best for?
Programs are open to complete beginners. Michaël removes technical pressure by framing first dives as exploration and discovery rather than performance — making the underwater world accessible to anyone willing to learn to breathe and relax. The school also works well for holistic experiences, retreats, and beginners.
04 Where does The Flying Dolphin Company train?
The Flying Dolphin Company trains in Amorgos, which offers boat-based access, reliable line depth, and a competition-focused culture with boat-based access to the main training sites. The main training sites are Levrossos Beach, Amorgos, Maltezi, Amorgos, Agia Anna (The Big Blue beach), Amorgos, and Sataya Reef (Red Sea, Egypt).
05 How do I contact or book with The Flying Dolphin Company?
Booking via direct contact with Michaël: michael.benoit@ntymail.com or +33 6 80 43 99 79. For the Freediving & Music retreat, contact blue@flyingdolphincompany.fr or +33 7 68 04 30 16. Retreats have fixed dates and limited group sizes — early reservation recommended.
06 Is Amorgos a good place to learn freediving?
Amorgos is well-suited to beginners and those looking to earn a freediving certification. The destination offers boat-based access, reliable line depth, and a competition-focused culture with boat-based access to the main training sites, making it a practical base for structured apnea training. Spring and summer season in Amorgos. Big Blue Experience runs in June, late June/early July, mid-July, and September. Freediving & Music retreat runs in early June. Retreat dates are published at the start of the season with limited group sizes.
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