PHUKET'S ORIGINAL FREEDIVING SCHOOL
Phuket Freediving Courses — AIDA, Molchanovs, SSI & PADI
Learn to freedive at Kata Beach with SSS Phuket, the island's original freedive school. Train in our pool, then dive the crystal-clear waters of Racha Yai with instructors certified across all four major freediving systems — the only school in Phuket to offer AIDA, Molchanovs, SSI and PADI under one roof.
Phuket Freediving — At a Glance
Who Is Freediving in Phuket For?
Whatever your experience level, there's a course built for you.
Complete Beginners
Never freedived before? Most first-timers start with AIDA 2 or SSI Level 1 — pool training first, then open water at Racha Yai. No experience needed, just the ability to swim.
See Beginner Courses →Switching or Adding a Certification
Already certified with AIDA, SSI, PADI or Molchanovs elsewhere? We teach all four systems under one roof, so you can cross over or add a second certification without starting from scratch.
Compare Certifications →Chasing Depth & Performance
Certified freedivers pushing past 20–30m: our AIDA 3/4, SSI Level 2/3 and Molchanovs Wave 2/3 courses cover mouthfill equalisation, monofin technique and competition-level training.
See Advanced Courses →Curious to Try Before Committing
Not ready for a full certification? A single pool session (AIDA 1 / Molchanovs Lap 1) is a low-cost, no-pressure way to see if freediving is for you before booking multiple days.
See Entry-Level Options →Compare Freediving Certifications
SSS Phuket is the only freediving school in Phuket teaching all four major systems — so you can pick the one that fits you, not just the one your local school happens to offer.
| Detail | AIDA | Molchanovs | SSI | PADI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Competition & the most globally recognized system | Technique-focused, progressive depth training | Scuba divers wanting a smooth crossover | PADI scuba divers staying in one ecosystem |
| Levels Offered | 4 (AIDA 1–4) | 4 (Lap 1, Wave 1–3, Wave 4 competition) | 4 (Basic, Level 1–3) | 4 (Basic, Freediver, Advanced, Master) |
| Entry Level Depth | Pool only (AIDA 1) | 20m (Wave 1) | 5m pool skills (Basic) | Pool only (Basic Freediver) |
| Top Recreational Depth | 32m (AIDA 4) | 50m (Wave 4) | 40m (Level 3) | 32m (Master Freediver) |
| Global Recognition | Very High | High & growing fast | High (paired with SSI scuba network) | Weak |
Find Your Level in 2 Questions
What's your freediving experience?
Course Ladder & Pricing
All courses include full equipment rental, an AIDA/Molchanovs/SSI/PADI certified instructor, and max 3 students per instructor.
AIDA
Molchanovs
SSI
PADI
What's Included in Every Course
Full transparency — here's exactly what you get, and the small extras to budget for separately.
✅ Included
- Certified instructor, max 3 students
- Full equipment — mask, fins, wetsuit, weight belt
- Hotel transfers for the boat trip to Racha (Kata, Karon, Patong, Kamala, Rawai, Chalong)
- Breakfast & hot buffet lunch on Racha Yai boat days
- Free underwater photos & video of your dives
- International certification on completion
- 🎁 Free SSS Phuket T-shirt, yours to keep
Not Included
- Taxi transfers for pool sessions
- Meals on pool days
Already Certified? Book Training Only
No new certification needed — just pool or open-water practice to maintain and improve your skills.
Pool Training
- 8:30am — Appointment at the freedive pool
- 9:00–12:00 — Theory course, Static & dynamic apnea training in the pool
Boat / Depth Training
- 7:30am — Hotel pickup, transfer to Chalong Pier
- 9:00am — Board, breakfast served on the way
- 10:00am — First constant weight training dive
- 12:00pm — Buffet lunch, time to snorkel & relax
- 1:00pm — Second constant weight training dive
- 3:30pm — Back to Chalong Pier
Available year-round. Perfect for certified freedivers who want to maintain their breath-hold, practice technique, or simply freedive Racha Yai without enrolling in a new course.
Where You'll Train & Dive
Your course moves through three real Phuket locations — from confined-water skills to open-water depth.
Chalong Freediving Pool
Every course begins at the dedicated freediving pool in Chalong. You'll drill breathing techniques, static apnea and dynamic apnea in a calm, controlled environment — building the comfort and technique you need before heading into open water.
- Static & dynamic apnea practice
- Small groups, max 3 students per instructor
- Chalong, Phuket
Kata Reef
A short swim from the beach, Kata Reef is our local shore freedive site — perfect for early open-water sessions and combined freedive/SUP outings. Shallow reef structure makes it an easy, low-stress first taste of the open sea. (subject to sea conditions)
- Walking distance from SSS Phuket center
- Shallow reef, ideal for first open-water dives
Racha Yai Island
Phuket's premier freediving destination, 1h20 minutes south of Kata Beach by dive boat from Chalong Pier. Crystal-clear water, staghorn coral gardens and abundant marine life — this is where you'll complete your certification dives and go for depth.
- Max depth: 40m+ (covers all certification levels)
- Visibility: 20–30 m
- Water temperature: 28–30°C
- Marine life: barracuda, tuna, moray eels, lionfish, nudibranch, turtles
- Dive sites include the HTMS Racha wreck
- Diveable 365 days a year
Safety & Eligibility
Freediving is safe when it's taught properly. Here's what's required before you get in the water with us.
Age & Swim Requirement
You must be able to swim 200m without stopping. Minimum age is 10 for AIDA 1 and 15 for SSI and Molchanovs entry-level courses. No prior freediving or scuba experience is needed.
Certification Sequence
Levels build on each other. AIDA 3 requires AIDA 2 or an equivalent certification; AIDA 4 requires AIDA 3 plus a valid First Aid/CPR certificate. Same logic applies across Molchanovs, SSI and PADI.
Instructor Ratio
Maximum 3 students per instructor at every level, on every certification system. Non-negotiable — it's how we keep training safe and personal.
Switching Certifications
Already certified with a different agency? Coming from SSI, PADI or Molchanovs into AIDA (or vice versa) is common — contact us for a quick crossover evaluation before booking.
Medical Fitness
You should be in general good health with no uncontrolled cardiovascular, respiratory or ear/sinus conditions. Tell your instructor about any medical concerns before your pool session.
Private & Semi-Private
Nervous about a group setting, or want faster progress? Private and semi-private courses are available at every level with flexible scheduling — just ask.
Why Learn Freediving at SSS Phuket
Phuket's original freediving school, and the only one offering all four major certification systems.
Only 4-System School in Phuket
AIDA, Molchanovs, SSI and PADI — under one roof. Every other school on the island teaches one or two systems. Switch or combine certifications without switching schools.
18 Years at Kata Beach
SSS Phuket is the island's original freedive school, teaching from the same Kata Beach base since 2008 — long before freediving became popular in Thailand.
4.9★ · 1,131 Reviews
TripAdvisor Hall of Fame winner and the most-reviewed freediving school in Phuket — verified feedback from thousands of certified students.
Judge-Level Instructors
Our instructor team includes an official AIDA Judge, bringing competition-level precision to everyday coaching — the same standards used to assess depth and discipline at AIDA events.
Max 3 Students Per Instructor
Small groups at every level, on every certification system. More attention, faster progress, safer training — non-negotiable.
Coral Reef Creation Project
Every course supports our ongoing Coral Reef Creation Project at Kata Beach — protecting the same reefs you'll be training and diving on.
Live Weather & Surf Cam
Check live surf, wind and swell conditions at Kata Beach anytime with our proprietary livecam — free to watch, updated 24/7.
25% Off at SSS Kata Bar & Café
Students get 25% off food and drinks at our rooftop seaview lounge — just above the freedive center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which certification should I choose — AIDA, Molchanovs, SSI or PADI?
Do I need experience to start freediving?
What's the swim requirement?
How many students are there per instructor?
Is equipment included in the course price?
I'm already certified with a different agency — can I switch?
Are courses available year-round?
Can I book a private or semi-private course?
What happens after my first certification?
What Our Freedivers Say
★★★★★ 4.9 · 1,131 Reviews on TripAdvisor & Google
"Very professionally supervised throughout by Ruddy, whose instructing was superb and ensured that I achieved over 2 mins 30 static apnea — having begun at only 1 minute."
"Me and my girlfriend tried this as first time divers and it was really beyond our expectations. Instructor Lung was so patient and literally held our hands underwater. Overall 10/10."
"I had a very good experience doing my AIDA 3 Freediving Course. Rudy was very thorough with his instruction and moved at a good pace that I was able to follow and absorb."
"My instructor Pomme was amazing and highly recommended. The water was clear and we saw a lot of coral and marine life. If I come back to Phuket, I'll do this trip again."
"I did my freediving Wave 1 with SSS Phuket. Val is an amazing instructor with a lot of knowledge and empathy. Amazing course and people, no pressure and a lot of new memories."
"Quality of instructors was superb. There was one instructor for every two or three students. Convenient hotel pickup, well-planned logistics. No prior dive experience needed."
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