SSI Freediving Courses Phuket — All 4 Certification Levels
From your first breath-hold to Master Freediver — SSS Phuket runs every SSI freediving certification at Kata Beach, Phuket. Pool training at Chalong, open water at Kata Reef, and boat days at Racha Yai Island included on every level.
Courses run year-round in English, French, and Thai · Kata Beach, Phuket (7.8134°N, 98.2989°E)
TripAdvisor Hall of Fame since 2014 · 🥇 Phuket's First Freediving School · Since 2008
All SSI Freediving Courses at SSS Phuket
SSI Basic Freediver
The perfect first step. Learn breath-hold theory, pool skills, duck dives, buddy safety, and basic equalisation in confined water. No experience needed — just the ability to swim.
- Chalong Pool + Racha Island
- No experience needed
- All equipment included
- SSI Basic Freediver certification
SSI Freediving Level 1
The world's most popular starting point — your first open water certification. Full pool, Kata Reef, and Racha Yai Island training over 2-3 days.
- Pool + Kata Reef + Racha Yai
- No experience needed
- Meals + transfers included
- SSI Freediver Level 1 certification
SSI Freediving Level 2
Push past 20m. Advanced equalisation, no-fins introduction, and a real jump in depth and breath-hold across a focused 3-day course at Racha Yai Island.
- Pool + Kata Reef + Racha Yai
- Requires SSI Level 1 or crossover eval
- Meals + transfers included
- SSI Freediver Level 2 certification
SSI Freediving Level 3
The highest SSI recreational level. Mouthfill equalisation, a Kata Reef practice day, and 5 days of intensive training across two Racha Yai boat days.
- Pool + Kata Reef + 2× Racha Yai
- Requires SSI Level 2 + First Aid/CPR
- Meals + transfers included
- SSI Freediver Level 3 (Master Freediver) certification
Compare All SSI Freediving Courses
Every level trains at the same pool, the same reef, and the same island — the only thing that changes is how deep and how long you hold your breath.
| Detail | Basic | Level 1 Most Popular | Level 2 | Level 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Entry | Beginner | Intermediate | Master |
| Price | ฿7,900 | ฿7,900–9,900 | ฿12,900 | ฿15,900 |
| Duration | 2 days | 2–3 days | 3 days | 5 days |
| STA (breath-hold) | — | 1:30 | 2:30 | — |
| DYN (pool swim) | — | 30m | 50m | — |
| CWT/FIM (open water depth) | 5m (pool) | 12-20m | 24-30m | 34-40m |
| CNF (no-fins) | — | — | 15m | 25-30m |
| Pool session | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Kata Reef open water | — | — | — | ✔ |
| Racha Yai boat trip | 1 day | 1 day | 1 day | 2 days |
| Prerequisite | None | None | SSI Level 1 or crossover eval | SSI Level 2 + First Aid/CPR |
| View Basic → | View Level 1 → | View Level 2 → | View Level 3 → |
Which SSI Course Is Right for You?
Not sure where to start? Every level builds on the one before it — here's how to find your starting point.
Most complete beginners go straight into Level 1 — it's a full open water certification with no prerequisite, taking you to a 12-20m depth target at Racha Yai. Want a gentler, shorter taster first? Start with SSI Basic instead.
Level 1 is most popular →Level 1 is your next step. You already know the fundamentals — Level 1 takes you into full open water certification at Racha Yai Island, with a 12-20m constant weight target.
View Level 1 →Level 2 takes you deeper — advanced equalisation, your first no-fins (CNF) diving, and a 24-30m constant weight target across a focused 3-day course at Racha Yai.
View Level 2 →Level 3 is the Master Freediver level — mouthfill equalisation, a Kata Reef practice day, and a 34-40m constant weight target. You'll also need a current First Aid/CPR certification before booking.
View Level 3 →Why Learn SSI Freediving at SSS Phuket
Phuket has plenty of freediving schools. Here's what actually separates an SSI certification you can trust from one that just ticks a box.
SSI Certified Since 2008
Phuket's original freediving school. Every course follows official SSI standards — not a shortened, unofficial version.
Max 3 Students Per Instructor
Every level, every dive — capped at 3 students per instructor. You're closely supervised and spotted on every descent, not lost in a crowd.
Real, Named Instructors
You'll train with actual SSI-certified freediving instructors — not a rotating cast of seasonal hires. Meet the team below.
Racha Yai Island, Every Level
All four certifications dive the same clear-water site — one of Phuket's best for visibility and calm conditions, ideal for buoy-line training.
Progress Through All 4 Levels In-House
Start at SSI Basic and reach Master Freediver without ever switching schools — same instructors, same pool, same boat, watching your progress the whole way.
All-Inclusive, No Hidden Costs
Full equipment rental, hotel transfers, and meals included in every course price — what you see is what you pay.
What's Included in Every SSI Course
All-inclusive pricing across every level — no hidden costs, no surprise add-ons at checkout.
How Every SSI Level Is Structured
Every level starts in the pool and finishes with certification dives at Racha Yai Island. Level 3 adds an extra open-water practice day at Kata Reef in between, to build mouthfill equalisation and rescue skills before going deeper.
Pool Training — Chalong
Theory sessions plus confined-water skills: breathing technique, equalisation, duck dives, finning, and static/dynamic apnea practice in a controlled environment before you ever leave the pool deck.
Open Water Practice — Kata Reef
A moderate-depth practice day for advanced equalisation, first no-fins (CNF) attempts, and blackout rescue drills before heading out to certification depth. Level 3 only.
Certification Dives — Racha Yai Island
A full-day boat trip (two days for Level 3) to Racha Yai's clear water for your official certification dives, guided along a weighted line and closely supervised by your instructor.
Meet the Team Behind Every SSI Certification
Every SSI course at SSS Phuket is led by a real, named freediving instructor — not a rotating cast of seasonal hires.
Florian
Molchanovs/SSI Dive & Freedive Instructor
English · French
Constantin
AIDA Instructor & AIDA Judge
Freediving
Leonie
AIDA Freediving Instructor
English · German · Spanish
Val
Molchanovs Freediving Instructor
English · Russian
What Our SSI Freedivers Say
"We saw a huge variety of beautiful fish, moray eels, and the absolute highlight was spotting a turtle. It truly was one of the best days of our lives."
"My instructor Pomme was amazing and highly recommended. The water was clear and we saw a lot of coral and marine life. If and when I come back to Phuket, I will be doing this trip again."
"Quality of instructors was superb. There was one instructor for every two or three students. Convenient hotel pickup, well-planned logistics."
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SSI freediving certification?
Which SSI course should I start with?
Do I need experience to take an SSI course?
Can I go from SSI Level 1 straight to Level 3?
How long does it take to complete all 4 SSI levels?
How many students per instructor?
Is equipment included in the price?
Where do the open water sessions take place?
Are courses available year-round?
What's the difference between SSI and AIDA or PADI freediving certifications?
Find Us at Kata Beach
- Address: 184/1 Koktanod Road, Kata Beach, Phuket 83100
- Hours: Open 8am–8pm, daily
- WhatsApp: +66 895 869 920
- Email: info@sssphuket.com
- WeChat: sssphuketjean · Telegram: +66 90 176 673
- ✔ Free cancellation up to 48 hours before your course starts — course fee refunded in full. Online certification materials are non-refundable once issued
- ✔ TripAdvisor Hall of Fame since 2014 · 2025 Viator Experience Award
- ✔ Not sure which level to book? WhatsApp us — replies within a few hours, 8am–8pm daily
Choose Your Level to Book
Each SSI level has its own dedicated booking page with the full course details, schedule, and secure checkout.