About Red Sea Relaxed Freediving

Freediving is fast becoming a popular and mainstream activity. This is a family friendly way to explore the world's oceans. And where better to take your first steps towards freediving freedom than on board one of our luxury northern Red Sea liveaboards with world class instructor Emma Farrell. Freediving since 2001, there are few instructors that are as accomplished as Emma. Not only has she competed in international events but she has also written an inspirational book about her freediving experiences. You too can join Emma in the warm waters of the Red Sea on an itinerary dedicated to the complimentary worlds of freediving and yoga.

Get away from it all on a secluded voyage to Abu Nuhas, Gubal and Ras Mohammed. This itinerary has been designed just for free divers, and the sites have been carefully selected. You will dive on incredible wrecks and stunning reefs. There is a wide choice of dive sites, sheltered from current and offering a range of depths - an ideal underwater playground.

Freediving highlights

We have been running dedicated freediving itineraries with Emma for several years and the itinerary builds on this experience. There is so much for freedivers to enjoy in the Northern Red Sea.

The fish count is huge, particularly in the areas of Ras Mohammed with large schools of fish from the Batfish and Snappers at Shark Reef and clouds of anthias and smaller schooling fish. Even the wrecks are covered in swarms of fusiliers being chased by trevallies with languid batfish hanging out in the blue.

The wrecks are unique dives in the themselves, each with it's own history to tell. From the 19th century wrecks (Carnatic, Ulysses) to the 20th century metal hulls (Giannis D, Chisolua K), these dives are moving and memorable.

Over the week you will have a chance to train on the lines, in confined water, and recreationally freedive on the reefs and wrecks. Descent lines of a wide variety of depths will be set up so each individual can dive to their own ability (participants must dive to the limits of their freediving training unless on a course).

Dolphins are commonly seen around Abu Nuhas and Gubal. There are several pods living in the area and on selected sites, you may well see them either from the surface or even underwater. We can never guarantee dolphin encounters in the water - these are wild animals after all.

Courses and training

RAID Freediver and Advanced Freediver courses will be available during the week for an additional charge. You must be at least RAID Freediver qualified or booked to do the RAID Freediver course in order to come on the holiday. If you do a course then your materials will be sent to you prior to the trip and you must complete the mini quizzes and exam before the trip starts.

Your lead instructor will be Emma Farrell, so you will have the chance to learn at a relaxed pace from one of the world's most experienced instructors and her friendly and experienced team.

On board yoga

Make sure to take time out on the trip too to enjoy the deep relaxation practice of yoga nidra with Emma. It doesn't matter what age or size you are, if you can't touch your toes, or have no prior experience of yoga. The sessions are tailored for complete beginners as well as those more familiar with yoga poses. All yoga equipment is provided as well on board the boat so all you need to bring are some comfy clothes to wear such as a t-shirt and jogging bottoms or a pair of pyjamas.

Emma will take you through very gentle movements and poses and there are always modifications for those with injuries or limited mobility. The yoga takes place first thing in the morning before the first dive of the day and you can come to as much or as little of it as you want.

Yoga nidra is the easiest yoga to do and the most relaxed as it is done lying down, under the stars! Yoga nidra is Sanskrit for 'yoga sleep' and is a profound state of relaxation where one is in a state of conscious sleep. Half an hour of yoga nidra is said to be the equivalent of three hours sleep due to the changes in brain wave activity.

The session is done after dinner. You take your duvet and pillows up to the top deck, lie down on the couches or a yoga mat and let Emma's voice send you to a place of deep relaxation. It's the most incredible way to wind down at the end of the day and we guarantee that you will never have experienced anything else this relaxing before in your life!

Daily presentations

Emma will be giving a range of presentations throughout the week covering a wide range of topics - all chosen to help you get into a more mindful place. Re-energise and learn from the pro tips and tricks to make your dives longer, practice meditation or how to get closer to dolphins without needing scuba!