Freedive International

What Freedive International does

Freedive International is a privately held operator of a global network of freediving schools founded in 2004 by two record-holding freedivers. The company runs four wholly-owned schools in Dahab (Egypt), Zanzibar (Tanzania), Koh Tao (Thailand), and Tenerife (Canary Islands), offering apnea courses from beginner level through Instructor Trainer certification. The core technology is its in-house teaching methodology and the curriculum it authors for SSI (Scuba Schools International), the largest freediving training agency globally, which gives its certifications industry-wide recognition. The company's competitive positioning rests on consistent, in-house instructor training across all locations — students can progress at any FDI school without "catching up" — and on prime site selection at world-class freediving destinations (e.g., the Blue Hole in Dahab, the only freedive school in East Africa in Zanzibar).

The business operates on three revenue streams: (1) professional services via freediving courses at all levels, with prices not publicly disclosed but starting at approximately 150-300 EUR for beginner courses; (2) hardware sales through on-site freediving shops; and (3) accommodation and package services, including training weeks, combo weeks, hotel booking, and airport transfers. The go-to-market is event-driven and community-led — multi-location direct service augmented by an active blog and social media presence (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram) that drives top-of-funnel awareness. Primary customer segments are individual freedivers (beginner to instructor-trainer level) and tourists/vacationers seeking recreational freediving experiences in tropical locations. Blue Immersion Koh Tao alone certifies approximately 1,000 new freedivers per year, providing the strongest single signal of operational scale.

Name

Freedive International

Legal name

Freedive International

Website

https://freediveinternational.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Freedive International is a privately held operator of four wholly-owned freediving schools in Dahab, Zanzibar, Koh Tao, and Tenerife, offering beginner-to-instructor apnea courses, equipment, and accommodation packages to individual freedivers and tourists under the SSI certification framework.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Diving Instruction Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Scuba Diving & Freediving Centers (Training, Guided Dives) (THAAAKAD)

Keywords

• Freediving instruction
• Apnea courses
• SSI certification training
• Dive school network
• Underwater sports education

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Freediving Courses: Freedive International generates revenue through teaching freediving/apnea courses at all levels, from beginner courses to Instructor Trainer Courses. They offer personalized training and can tailor-make packages for special requests.
2. Freediving Equipment Sales: Their freediving shops sell equipment from basic kit to advanced freediving gear. For example, Freedive Dahab has a shop located in the same building as their facilities.
3. Accommodation and Packages: They offer accommodation options (rooms for rent) and comprehensive freediving packages including training weeks, combo weeks, hotel booking, and airport transfers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Freedive International operates a global network of freediving schools teaching apnea courses at all levels — from beginner instruction through Instructor Trainer certification — issued in cooperation with SSI. The company runs four owned training centers at world-class freediving destinations (Dahab, Zanzibar, Koh Tao, Tenerife), complemented by freediving equipment sales, on-site accommodation, training-camp packages, competitions, and record attempts.

Product overview

Freedive International is a group of freediving schools offering a comprehensive range of apnea/freediving education and experiences. The core offering includes the main Freedive International brand with four affiliated school locations worldwide: Freedive Dahab (Egypt, since 2004), Extreme Blue Water (Zanzibar, since 2014), Blue Immersion Koh Tao (Thailand, since 2010), and Atlantis Freediving Tenerife (Canary Islands, since 2016). The company provides freediving courses from beginner level through Instructor Trainer certification in partnership with SSI. Additional services include Training Weeks, Combo Weeks, events, training camps, recreational trips, safaris, competitions, and record attempts. The schools offer facilities including classrooms, freediving shops, equipment rental, and accommodation options.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Apnea/Freediving Courses Freediving courses at all skill levels from beginner to Instructor Trainer, certified through SSI (Scuba Schools International), including practical water sessions, theory sessions, and safety/rescue training. For individual students seeking professional freediving education.

Quantifiable outcome

• Blue Immersion certifies approximately 1,000 new freedivers per year

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Extreme Blue Water SpearfishingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Cooperation between Freedive International and Extreme Blue Water Spearfishing (leading spearfishing company specialized in ethical spearfishing charters, based in Zanzibar operating in Tanzania, Mozambique and Kenya) resulted in a freediving-spearfishing center and freediving house in Zanzibar.
• SSI (Scuba Schools International)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Freedive International cooperates with SSI (currently the biggest freedive training agency). FDI writes much of their teaching materials, outlines and guidelines for freediving courses. This partnership gives FDI's curriculum widespread recognition and certification value.
• Rollei ActioncamminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRollei Actioncam sponsors Freedive Dahab, providing cameras for freediving activities. Rollei cameras feature high performance and resolution at lower prices compared to competitors, with affordable accessories and reliable housings.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• PADI: World's largest scuba diving certification agency, which also offers freediving certifications. PADI is a broad incumbent whose dive center network includes many independent freediving schools that compete with FDI locations; comparable via overlapping dive education market and certification-driven business model.
• SSI (Scuba Schools International): Largest freedive training agency globally and FDI's curriculum partner. SSI is a broad incumbent in dive certification (scuba + freedive), distributing courses through thousands of affiliated centers worldwide. Comparable as the certifying body whose curriculum FDI authors and whose brand authority backs FDI's certifications.
• AIDA International: International freediving governing body that standardizes competition rules and instructor certifications. Comparable to FDI's positioning via its role in defining the freediving curriculum and certification standards that schools like FDI deliver to students.

Direct peers

• Blue Immersion: Freediving school on Koh Tao, Thailand — actually operates as a subsidiary of Freedive International (Blue Immersion Koh Tao). Listed here as the standalone school brand that competing operators in Koh Tao would consider a direct local competitor and that shares the FDI network.
• Performance Freediving International: Freediving education company offering courses and instructor certifications across multiple locations, with a strong focus on performance and competitive freediving. Comparable to FDI in curriculum depth, instructor training pipeline, and competitive freediving community engagement.
• Apnea Total: Multi-location freediving school network founded in France, teaching apnea courses at multiple global destinations with instructor certification programs. Directly comparable to Freedive International in business model (multi-site diving schools, certified courses, instructor pipeline) and target market (recreational and aspiring competitive freedivers).
• Molchanovs: Freediving brand founded by record-holding athlete Alexey Molchanov offering courses, instructor certifications, equipment (wetsuits/fins), and a global school network. Competes with FDI across courses, equipment sales, and curriculum/competition authority, and is widely considered a leading brand in the freediving education market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/FreediveInt/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Freedive-International/182575398422547
• Instagraminstagram.com/freediveinternational

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Freedive International