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Philippines
Freediving School
Freedive Panglao
Panglao, Philippines
One of Asia's largest freediving centers, co-founded by Stefan Randig, offering AIDA and SSI courses in six languages, competitive training, and hosting AIDA-sanctioned depth and pool competitions including the Asian Freediving Cup since 2014.
Overview
About Freedive Panglao
Co-founded in 2012 by German national record holder Stefan Randig, Freedive Panglao is the first freediving school in Bohol and one of the biggest and most active freediving centers in Asia. The school offers AIDA and SSI courses from beginner to instructor level, organizes deep training sessions, and hosts AIDA-sanctioned competitions including the Asian Freediving Cup. Unlimited depth is available within a 5-minute boat ride, with 27–29°C water year-round and no thermoclines at depth.
Professional, structured coaching geared towards steady progression, from recreational levels up to instructor and competitive depths.
Whether you are looking to discover apnea for the first time or earn a recognised freediving certification in Panglao, Freedive Panglao provides a structured path. The school accepts both first-time freedivers and experienced divers pursuing deeper progression. Instruction is available in Chinese, English, German, Japanese, and Korean.
The people behind it
Meet the Founder
Stefan Randig
AIDA Instructor Trainer and German national record holder in all competition depth disciplines. Co-founded Freedive Panglao in 2012 after transitioning from scuba instruction to competitive freediving in 2009.
Ideal for
Who should learn freediving at Freedive Panglao
Beginners
Beginner courses utilize a dedicated 25m pool for skill-building before transferring to the open water, removing anxiety and building a solid foundation.
Advanced
One of Asia's premier depth spots with serious competition infrastructure on the shelf drop-off.
Training focus
The team features national record holders and AIDA judges, offering high-level workshops like mouthfill and monofin techniques.
Why this school
What makes Freedive Panglao stand out
Coaching approach
Professional, structured coaching geared towards steady progression, from recreational levels up to instructor and competitive depths.
Class format
Sessions are structured around mixed-group training based on student levels and goals. All required freediving equipment is included during the course so you don't have to carry your own.
Course progression
Students can follow a complete path here, from their first freediving course all the way up to instructor certification.
Courses & Pricing
Freedive Panglao freediving courses and prices in Panglao
Freedive Panglao lists 12 course options, priced from USD 30 up to USD 1400.
This represents a visible ladder from first course to more committed progression covering everything from discovery dives to advanced certification levels, all delivered under AIDA and SSI frameworks.
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Most popular
AIDA 1 / Discover Freediving
1 day
From
$120 USD
AIDA 2 / Open Water Freediver
2.5 days
From
$320 USD
AIDA 3 / Intermediate Freediver
3 days
From
$440 USD
AIDA 4 / Advanced Freediver
4 days
From
$550 USD
AIDA Instructor Course
8 - 10 days
From
$1,400 USD
AIDA Instructor Crossover
4 - 5 days
From
$650 USD
Visit Freedive Panglao's website for the full list of courses and specialties.
View all courses
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Training environment
Training sites and conditions in Panglao
Training is conducted from a boat to avoid currents, just a 5-minute ride from the center. Unlimited depth is available with 27-29°C water temperature year-round, alongside a dedicated 25m freediving pool for static and dynamic disciplines.
Panglao gives the school a mix of shore and boat-based sessions with up to 130m depth available in the broader destination profile.
At a glance
Facilities, languages & certifications
Certifications
Languages
🇨🇳 Chinese 🇬🇧 English 🇩🇪 German 🇯🇵 Japanese 🇰🇷 Korean
Facilities
25m pool, Accommodation, Boat access, Equipment rental, Restaurant, Shore access
What you get
What is included in courses
Courses at Freedive Panglao include equipment, open-water sessions, pool sessions, certification, and 25m pool. 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.
Dive conditions
Learn to freedive in Panglao
Panglao offers warm water, reliable line depth, and a competition-focused culture with a mix of shore and boat-based sessions and sets the water profile for Freedive Panglao.
Freedive Panglao is based in Panglao.
Surface water temperature ranges from 27 to 30 °C year-round, with the best window falling in March–June.
High season is December to May (dry). Typhoons are rare, making Panglao suitable for year-round training, though August to November can be wetter.
Destination
Discover the destination
Learn more about where Freedive Panglao is based — conditions, best season, depth, and more.
Alternatives
Compare Freedive Panglao with other schools in Panglao
Other freediving schools in Panglao with listed courses, certifications, and pricing.
Got questions?
Frequently asked questions about Freedive Panglao
Everything you need to know about freediving, training, and choosing the right destination.
01 What certifications does Freedive Panglao offer?
Freedive Panglao offers AIDA and SSI certification courses. Multiple agencies are available.
02 How much do courses at Freedive Panglao cost?
Prices at Freedive Panglao start from USD 30 for entry-level courses and go up to USD 1400 for advanced levels. Course duration ranges from 1 day to per session.
03 Who is Freedive Panglao best for?
Beginner courses utilize a dedicated 25m pool for skill-building before transferring to the open water, removing anxiety and building a solid foundation. The school also works well for advanced progression, competitive training, and boat-based sessions.
04 Where does Freedive Panglao train?
Freedive Panglao trains in Panglao, which offers warm water, reliable line depth, and a competition-focused culture with a mix of shore and boat-based sessions. The main training sites are Panglao Island open water and Dedicated 25m freediving pool.
05 How do I contact or book with Freedive Panglao?
You can book through email at info@freedive-panglao.com. Check the website for current course schedules and availability. You can also reach the school by phone at +63 9266204768.
06 Is Panglao a good place to learn freediving?
Panglao is more suited to intermediate or advanced divers, though it is also a valid choice for those looking to earn a freediving certification. The destination offers warm water, reliable line depth, and a competition-focused culture with a mix of shore and boat-based sessions, making it a practical base for structured apnea training. High season is December to May (dry). Typhoons are rare, making Panglao suitable for year-round training, though August to November can be wetter.
Recent Google reviews
What recent students say about Freedive Panglao
★4.6(30 reviews)
Is there any contact information by WhatsApp? I try to email them but I haven't heard back :)
i got 3 nights in here 2 person for the AIDA2 (me&my wife). nice gear/very clean&cheap accommodation/ friendly people(instructors&host)/cheap price beer and beverage/good water pressure/huge pool for training. never seen like here as perfect facilities for the training free dive in bohol for sure. thank you so much.
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