Bira Sulawesi, Indonesia
Freedive Sulawesi offers a unique freediving experience in Bira, combining professional coaching, tropical ocean training, and marine conservation in one of Indonesia’s most untouched coastal destinations.
Overview
Located in the peaceful coastal village of Bira, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, Freedive Sulawesi offers a unique freediving experience combining professional coaching, ocean exploration, breathwork, and marine conservation. Surrounded by beautiful reefs and clear tropical waters, Bira is an ideal destination for freedivers looking to improve their skills while connecting deeply with the ocean.
Freedive Sulawesi welcomes all levels of freedivers, from complete beginners discovering breath-hold diving for the first time to intermediate divers working on depth, equalization, relaxation, and technique. Training is designed around a calm and progressive approach, with small groups, personalized coaching, and a strong focus on safety and confidence in the water.
The school offers beginner and intermediate freediving courses, including Level 1 and Level 2 programs covering essential skills such as breathing techniques, relaxation, breath-hold training, equalization, finning technique, safety procedures, and open-water sessions. Divers can also join recreational freedives and personalized coaching sessions adapted to their goals and experience level.
What makes Freedive Sulawesi special is its connection with ocean conservation. The school combines freediving with coral restoration projects, allowing divers to explore Bira’s reefs while learning about marine ecosystems and contributing to reef recovery efforts. This creates a meaningful experience beyond traditional freediving training.
Bira offers a relaxed tropical environment with access to beautiful reefs, warm waters, and uncrowded dive sites. The destination is particularly suited for freedivers looking for a peaceful training location away from busy tourist areas, with opportunities to combine freediving practice, breathwork, yoga, and nature exploration.
Whether you are looking to discover apnea for the first time or earn a recognised freediving certification in the destination, Freedive Sulawesi 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.
The people behind it
A former TCM student and yoga teacher now based in Indonesia, I guide freediving as a moving meditation. My sessions blend technical safety with breath awareness and mindful movement, creating a healing experience for beginners and pros alike. I offer retreat partners a rare fusion of dive expertise and soulful facilitation.
Founded in 2020 by ex-lawyer Nori, GaiaOne began with Tevana House Reef in Tanjung Bira, Indonesia. What started as beach cleanups evolved into a social enterprise featuring an eco-conscious dive centre, coral restoration projects in Bira and Kota Kinabalu, and immersive eco-travel programs. Freedive Sulawesi aims to bring more freedivers to explore the pristine waters of Bira. Nori hopes every visitor embraces the Gaia lifestyle and leaves inspired to love and protect our planet more deepl
Ideal for
Best for beginners who want a clear entry point and room to progress in the destination.
Best for advanced divers who want structured depth progression.
Best for divers who want PADI training supported by Accomodation on site , Fresh water rinse tanks, and Showers.
Why this school
Coaching approach
Instruction is designed to fit the student's pace, balancing theory with open water performance.
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
The curriculum guides students from their first freediving course up through intermediate certifications, with attention to technique and confidence at moderate depths.
Courses & Pricing
Freedive Sulawesi lists 5 course options, priced from USD 40 up to USD 400.
This represents a visible ladder from first course to more committed progression focused on introductory levels and beginner fundamentals, all delivered under PADI frameworks.
From
2 Ocean Sessions breath-hold, equalization, safety, pool and open water.
From
3 Ocean Sessions Theory, pool, and open water with time on breath-hold, equalization, and free-fall.
From
Minimum 2 people For any level. Reef dives, skill work, or coral sessions. We shape the day around you.
From
Add on for anyone who wants to go to Pulau Kambing / Pulau Liukang
From
Coral Workshop including planting activity, freediving on our nurseries and coral adoption
Safety & standards
Safety equipment and protocols confirmed directly by the school. Ask to verify anything not listed.
Training environment
Freedive Sulawesi uses Accomodation on site , Fresh water rinse tanks, Showers, and Yoga Shala for Breathwork training for training. Sessions are mixed and move between theory, pool work, and open water.
Freedive Sulawesi trains in the local destination environment.
At a glance
Certifications
Languages
Facilities
Accomodation on site , Fresh water rinse tanks, Showers, Yoga Shala for Breathwork training
Around the school
What you get
Courses at Freedive Sulawesi include Equipment , Lunch, Certification, and theory sessions. 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
Destination conditions shape water access, depth, and seasonality for this school.
Alternatives
Other freediving schools in Bira Sulawesi with listed courses, certifications, and pricing.
Got questions?
Everything you need to know about freediving, training, and choosing the right destination.
Freedive Sulawesi offers PADI certification courses. This certification is recognized internationally.
Prices at Freedive Sulawesi start from USD 60 for entry-level courses and go up to USD 400 for advanced levels. Course duration ranges from 3 days to several days.
Freedive Sulawesi suits divers looking for PADI training in its destination. With 5 course levels and instruction in Dutch, English, Indonesian, Malay, and Mandarin, it works for both beginners and returning students.
Freedive Sulawesi trains in its destination locations with local water access and conditions.
You can book through email at gaiaone.diving@gmail.com. Check the website for current course schedules and availability. You can also reach the school by phone at +62 812-8780-4608.
Freedive Sulawesi operates in a destination with suitable conditions for structured freediving and apnea training.
Recent Google reviews
Had a wonderful time waking up in tevana and diving in many locations around bira. Thank you Sjenade for showing us around the waters and encouraging us on our dives and thank you Nori for being a wonderful host and educating us all about the importance of corals and how we can play our part in improving our oceans.
Amazing view and hospitality, located close and have full view of the ocean from the shared canteen. Has good diving course with easy access to ocean and coral reefs. Instructor was kind and patient and was really helpful and encouraging Helps with conservation efforts and helps out coral restoration
I had a really great time diving with Sjenade ! She is an awesome instructor, she really helped me to improve my freediving skills and my breath-hold. I passed my level 2 with her She really is an awesome person, really knowledgeable in freediving but also relaxation technics and nature I can only recommend booking a freediving retreat with her
