Ready to Try Freediving? Discover What a Single Breath Can Do in Bunaken
Have you ever wondered what it feels like to slip beneath the surface on one calm breath and feel completely at ease?
In Bunaken, freediving is not about pushing limits. It is about slowing down, relaxing, and discovering how natural the ocean can feel.
I am Kelly Moore, PADI Freediving Instructor at Bunaken Oasis, and this island is one of the most supportive places in the world to try freediving for the first time.
Why Bunaken Is Special for Freediving
Just off the coast of North Sulawesi, Bunaken is famous for scuba diving, but for freedivers it offers something truly unique. Conditions here make learning feel calm, safe, and deeply rewarding.
Clear visibility
Visibility is often 20 to 30 metres or more, so you can see the reef wall below you and keep easy visual contact with your buddy or instructor. For beginners, this clarity helps relaxation come naturally.
Warm, comfortable water
With water temperatures around 27 to 30°C, thin wetsuits or shorties are enough. Staying warm means longer, more relaxed sessions and more focus on breathing and technique.
Dramatic walls with easy depth
Shallow reefs quickly drop into sheer walls, giving you depth and beauty in the same place. You always have a visual reference, which makes dives feel safer and more enjoyable.
Turtles and marine life
Turtles are common here, along with schools of reef fish and colourful coral life. Without bubbles, encounters feel quiet and personal, often becoming the most memorable part of a dive.
A calm island rhythm
Bunaken’s slow pace perfectly complements freediving. Fewer distractions make it easier to focus on breathing, presence, and enjoying the moment.
A Moment at Lekuan I Will Never Forget
One of my favourite moments in Bunaken happened with a student who believed freediving was not for her. Anything deeper than a few metres felt frightening.
We began gently in the shallows, focusing only on breathing and comfort. No depth goals, just feeling safe.
At Lekuan, the reef suddenly falls away into deep blue. We set the line to ten metres, and I reminded her that even two or five metres counted. Calm was the only goal.
Her first dives were short, but each one became smoother. Then she surprised herself, passing the point where she usually turned back and touching the ten metre plate.
Instead of rushing up, she paused. Fish drifted past, light streamed down the wall, and a turtle cruised quietly through the blue. Her body softened completely.
When she surfaced, she smiled and said,
“I did not know I could feel that relaxed underwater.”
That realisation mattered far more than the depth.
Why Bunaken Oasis Dive Resort and Spa
Bunaken Oasis is an ideal base for freediving, with short boat rides to sites like Lekuan, a beautiful pool for relaxation between sessions, and a professional team that understands local conditions and safety.
It is also the only registered PADI Freediving Centre in North Sulawesi, so all training follows international standards. Add the spa for post-dive recovery, and it becomes a place to truly rest and reset.
Ready to Try Freediving?
If you have ever wondered whether freediving is for you, Bunaken is a wonderful place to find out. Calm conditions, warm water, and a supportive atmosphere make it ideal for beginners.
I run PADI beginner freediving courses at Bunaken Oasis with:
No experience required
Focus on relaxation, safety, and equalisation
Small groups and personal attention
If you would like to experience that quiet moment of realising what you are capable of, you are very welcome to join a Discover Freediving or PADI Freediver Level 1 course.
To learn more or reserve your spot, reply to this newsletter, email general.manager@bunakenoasis.com, or WhatsApp +62 811 436 245.
Let’s see what you are capable of on a single breath.
