SSI Freediving Level 1 Phuket — Beginner Open Water Certification
No experience needed — 2–3 days with SSS Phuket, combining pool fundamentals with your first open water dives to 12-20m depth using bi-fins and free immersion at Racha Yai Island.
- — Max 3 students per instructor
- — Full freediving equipment included
- — Free SSS Phuket t-shirt (3-day course)
- — Upgrade path to SSI Freediving Level 2
What You Need to Know Before Booking SSI Freediving Level 1
Who Is SSI Freediving Level 1 For?
SSI Freediving Level 1 is your first real open-water depth certification — beyond pool basics — here's how to know if it's the right level for you.
Already Hold Your SSI Basic Freediver?
This is the natural next step — build on your Basic pool skills and progress to real open-water certification: 12-20m constant weight/free immersion and 30m dynamic apnea. Most Basic Freediver graduates take this within a few months.
See Program in Depth →Confident Swimmer, New to Freediving?
Already comfortable in open water — snorkeler, swimmer or spearfisherman? The 3-Day Level 1 course (฿9,900) can be your entry point without SSI Basic, provided you pass the Day 1 water-confidence assessment.
See Pricing & Requirements →Ready to Push Past 20m?
Already have solid open-water depth experience up to 20m and want to go further? Most Level 1 graduates move on to SSI Level 2 for 24-30m depth and 55m dynamic apnea — check requirements before booking.
See Level 2 Course →Already Certified Elsewhere?
Hold a certification with AIDA, Molchanovs or PADI already? Compare all four systems and find the right level to cross over into before booking SSI Freediving Level 1.
Compare Certifications →SSI Freediving Level 1 Course — Program in Depth
Every SSI Freediving Level 1 course is led by our in-house SSI-certified freediving instructors, at a maximum ratio of 3 students per instructor, so you get hands-on, personal attention in the pool and on the boat.
SSI Freediving Level 1 is your first real open-water depth certification — beyond pool basics. Over 2 or 3 days you'll refine equalization, breath-hold, and constant weight/free immersion technique in the pool at Chalong, then apply it on a full-day boat trip to Racha Yai Island, descending on a weighted line to at least 12 metres (the program builds toward 20m). SSI Basic Freediver (or equivalent water confidence) is the normal path in.
- 9:00 AMSkills refresher and equalization technique (Frenzel)
- 10:00 AMCO2/O2 tolerance tables
- 11:00 AMStatic apnea training, building toward 1 minute 30 seconds
- 12:00 PMDynamic apnea technique work toward 30 metres with bi-fins
- 9:00 AMContinued pool training — line and free-immersion technique
- 11:00 AMDepth-specific rescue and safety skills
- 12:00 PMTimed practice sessions
The 2-day option (฿7,900, for confident swimmers) condenses pool training into Day 1 before heading straight to the boat day.
- 7:30 AMHotel pickup and transfer to Chalong Pier
- 9:00 AMWelcome aboard! Breakfast served on the way to Racha Yai
- 10:00 AMFirst dive — constant weight/free immersion descent along the line, building toward 20m
- 12:00 PMHot buffet lunch on board, then free time for snorkeling and sunbathing
- 1:00 PMSecond dive — certification depth attempt, constant weight/free immersion to at least 12m
- 3:00 PMRest and relax — fresh tropical fruit and soft drinks on the way back to Chalong Pier
- 3:30 PMArrive back at Chalong Pier
- 4:00 PMDrop-off at your hotel
- Open-water skills: 2 certifying dives with your instructor, constant weight/free immersion to at least 12 metres, building toward 20 metres
- Static apnea target: 1 minute 30 seconds
- Dynamic apnea target: 30 metres with bi-fins
- Equalisation technique: Frenzel method for consistent depth equalization
- Line diving & buddy skills: descending a weighted line safely, buddy-watch and surface protocols
- Rescue & safety skills: depth-specific rescue technique for open-water sessions
- Freediving theory: physiology, physics, tables and safety procedures
All SSI Freediving Level 1 equipment is included in your course price — nothing extra to rent or buy.
- Low-volume freediving mask
- Bi-fins & snorkel
- Wetsuit
- Weight belt, sized to you
- Weighted dive line & buoy (boat day)
- SSI Freediving Level 1 digital course materials (MySSI app)
- Minimum age: 10 years old (SSI requirement)
- Prerequisite: SSI Basic Freediver (or equivalent water confidence) for the 3-day path; confident swimmers can take the 2-day option after passing a Day 1 water-confidence assessment
- A water fitness/swim evaluation is completed before your open-water session
- Avoid scuba diving in the 24 hours before your course (residual nitrogen risk)
- Eat a light meal 2–3 hours before each session — don't dive on a full or empty stomach
- Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle
- Hotel pickup is included for your Racha Yai boat day (Kata, Karon, Chalong, Rawai, Kamala, Patong areas)
- You'll need to create a free MySSI profile before training begins
Your Open Water Day: Racha Yai Island
About an hour by boat from Chalong Pier, Racha Yai's calm, clear bays are exactly why we use it for your SSI Freediving Level 1 open water sessions — sheltered conditions with a fixed dive line, ideal for building real depth without fighting current.
Racha Yai's bays are naturally sheltered from currents and swell, with visibility regularly reaching 15–20 metres — ideal conditions for building certified depth without fighting the elements.
SSI Level 1 introduces diving along a weighted buoy line — your instructor sets the line, spots every dive, and helps you build toward your certification depth of at least 12 metres, with the program progressing to 20 metres safely and gradually.
Expect vibrant hard and soft corals, clownfish, and parrotfish — and with a bit of luck, a turtle gliding past while you're on the line.
See the full hour-by-hour boat day schedule in the Program in Depth section above.
SSI Freediving Level 1 Pricing & What's Included
Two ways to get certified: a condensed 2-day option for confident swimmers, or the full 3-day course with an extra day of pool training before your Racha Yai open water dives.
- ✔ Day 1: Pool skills refresher (static, dynamic, equalization)
- ✔ Day 2: Full-day Racha Yai boat trip, 2 open water dives to 12-20m
- ✔ Official SSI Freediving Level 1 Certification
- ✔ SSI digital course materials (MySSI app)
- ✔ Complete equipment rental
- ✔ Hotel transfer (Patong, Karon, Kata, Rawai, Chalong)
- ✔ Breakfast & lunch on boat day
- ✖ Requires Day 1 water-confidence assessment or SSI Basic Freediver certification
- ✔ Day 1: Pool skills — equalization, static & dynamic apnea
- ✔ Day 2: Pool skills — line and free-immersion technique, depth-specific safety
- ✔ Day 3: Full-day Racha Yai boat trip, 2 open water dives to 12-20m
- ✔ Official SSI Freediving Level 1 Certification
- ✔ SSI digital course materials (MySSI app)
- ✔ Complete equipment rental
- ✔ Hotel transfer (Patong, Karon, Kata, Rawai, Chalong)
- ✔ Breakfast & lunch on boat day
- 🎁 Free SSS Phuket T-shirt included
Meet the Team Behind Your SSI Freediving Level 1 Certification
Every 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
Val
Molchanovs Freediving Instructor
English · Russian
Constantin
AIDA Instructor & AIDA Judge
Freediving
Leonie
AIDA Freediving Instructor
English · German · Spanish
See Our Pool & Racha Yai Training in Action
Real photos from our Chalong pool and Racha Yai boat days — the same facilities used across every SSI level.
What Our SSI Freediving Level 1 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
Do I need SSI Basic Freediver before taking Level 1?
What's the difference between SSI Basic Freediver and SSI Level 1?
What is the best time of year for freediving in Phuket?
How many students per instructor?
What depth will I reach during the course?
Is the 2-day or 3-day option right for me?
Can I do the course if I struggle to equalise?
What should I bring to the course?
Is freediving safe at SSI Level 1 depths?
Can I do the course alone, or do I need a buddy?
What happens if I don't pass the assessment?
Do you offer private courses?
What's the water temperature like in Phuket?
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
- ✔ Questions before booking? WhatsApp us — replies within a few hours, 8am–8pm daily
Reserve Your SSI Freediving Level 1 Course
