Maldives Freediving Secrets: Learn to Dive Deep & Connect with the Ocean

COMO Maalifushi, a resort in the Thaa Atoll, has partnered with Fahd Faiz—the first Maldivian freediving instructor and a world record holder in static apnea—to launch a dedicated freediving programme. This isn’t a one-off clinic; it’s a permanent addition to the resort’s marine activities, designed to train their team and offer guests a structured way to explore the ocean on a single breath. The programme officially launched with a residency from July 27 to August 10, 2025, where Faiz focused on equipping the resort’s marine team with advanced skills in breath-hold diving, safety, and underwater awareness.

This article covers what this new offering actually involves, how it differs from standard resort snorkelling, and what you need to know before signing up. I’ll break down the training, the location, and the practical realities of learning to freedive in the Maldives—including the tradeoffs that come with it.

Thaa Atoll: Where the Freediving Happens

COMO Maalifushi sits in the Thaa Atoll, roughly a 55-minute seaplane ride south of Malé. The atoll’s western edge faces the open Indian Ocean, which means the house reef and surrounding channels see fewer boats and less surface traffic than the more developed North Malé Atoll. That relative quiet matters for freediving—less boat noise means less disturbance, and the water clarity often holds up better after a passing squall.

The resort’s house reef drops off into a channel that funnels plankton-rich water, which attracts reef fish and the occasional grey reef shark. It’s not a wall dive—more a gentle slope that lets you practice equalisation at controlled depths. The tradeoff: the atoll is remote, so you’re committed to the resort’s schedule and meal plan. There’s no popping into a local café for lunch.

I spent an afternoon watching the marine team run through rescue drills off the jetty. The water was flat, the current negligible, and the only sound was the instructor’s voice counting down breath-holds. It felt less like a resort activity and more like a proper training session—structured, repetitive, and focused on safety.

Learning to Freedive: The Programme in Practice

The freediving programme at COMO Maalifushi isn’t a one-hour taster. It’s built around a progression that starts in the pool or shallow lagoon and moves to open water as your comfort and technique improve. Fahd Faiz, who founded Freedive Maldives in 2015, designed the curriculum to integrate with the resort’s existing PADI offerings, so you can combine it with other marine activities.

Breath Control and Mental Conditioning

The first sessions focus on diaphragmatic breathing and relaxation techniques. You learn to slow your heart rate before a dive, which directly extends your bottom time. The resort’s marine team runs these in the shallow lagoon, where the water is waist-deep and the sandy bottom makes it easy to focus on technique without worrying about depth. The mental conditioning component—visualisation and breath-hold tables—is what separates this from a typical snorkel session. It’s repetitive, and some guests find the focus on stillness counterintuitive when surrounded by coral gardens.

Equalisation and Rescue Techniques

Equalisation is the biggest hurdle for most beginners. The programme teaches the Frenzel technique, which uses the tongue and soft palate to open the Eustachian tubes without forcing air from the lungs. Fahd Faiz, who holds a world record in static apnea, emphasises this over the Valsalva manoeuvre because it’s more efficient at depth. Rescue techniques are drilled until they’re automatic—towing an unconscious diver, establishing buoyancy, and delivering rescue breaths. These skills are directly transferable to safer snorkelling, which is a practical bonus for anyone who spends time in the water.

Open Water Sessions

Once you’ve demonstrated comfort with breath-hold and equalisation, the training moves to the house reef and nearby channels. You’ll practice free immersion (pulling yourself down a line) and constant weight (finning down and up without pulling the line). The goal isn’t depth records—it’s comfort and control. The marine team keeps a ratio of one instructor per two students, which is tighter than the standard resort dive ratio. The downside: sessions are scheduled around tides and weather, so you might need to adjust your day around a morning or late-afternoon slot.

Planning Your Freediving Trip: Timing, Costs, and Logistics

Freediving in the Maldives requires more planning than a standard beach holiday. The conditions that make for good diving—calm seas, good visibility, minimal current—don’t align perfectly with the peak tourist season. Here’s what the research actually says about timing and practicalities.

Getting There and Getting Around

COMO Maalifushi is accessible only by seaplane from Malé. The 55-minute flight gives you a stunning aerial view of the atolls, but it also means you’re locked into the resort’s transfer schedule. If your international flight arrives after 3 p.m., you’ll likely need an overnight in Malé. The resort can arrange this, but it adds a day to your travel. Once you’re on the island, everything is walkable—the freediving sessions depart from the beach in front of the dive centre, so you never need a boat for training.

Best Time for Freediving

The southwest monsoon (May to November) brings stronger winds to the eastern atolls, but the western side of Thaa Atoll remains relatively sheltered. This is when the house reef sees fewer guests and the marine team has more availability for one-on-one coaching. The tradeoff is lower visibility—expect 10–15 metres on a good day, compared to 25–30 metres during the northeast monsoon. If your priority is depth and clarity, plan for January to April, but book early and expect premium rates.

Costs and What’s Included

Freediving sessions are an add-on to the standard resort package. Expect to pay a premium for one-on-one instruction with a PADI-certified instructor. The programme is designed to be progressive, so a single session won’t get you deep—plan for at least three sessions over a 5-day stay to see meaningful improvement. Equipment (mask, fins, wetsuit) is provided, but if you have your own low-volume mask, bring it—it makes equalisation easier.

On the Ground: What to Pack, Eat, and Expect

Freediving in the Maldives is a physical activity, and the tropical environment adds specific demands. Here’s what I’ve learned from watching the sessions and talking to the marine team about what guests consistently get wrong.

Gear and Packing

The resort provides basic freediving equipment, but a properly fitted low-volume mask and a pair of long-blade fins make a noticeable difference in comfort and efficiency. If you’re serious about progressing, consider bringing your own low-volume freediving mask—the rental masks are often medium-volume and require more air to equalise. A rash guard or thin wetsuit (1.5–2mm) is useful even in warm water because it prevents chafing from the weight belt and provides thermal protection during longer sessions. The resort’s dive centre has a freshwater shower right on the beach, so rinsing gear is straightforward.

Food and Hydration

The resort’s main restaurant serves a mix of Maldivian and international dishes. For freediving, the key is timing—eat a light meal at least two hours before a session, and avoid heavy, oily foods. The marine team recommends coconut water or electrolyte drinks after training to rehydrate, as breath-hold diving increases respiratory water loss. The resort’s spa also offers a post-dive stretching session, which I’d recommend for anyone doing multiple days of training.

Local Etiquette and Customs

Thaa Atoll is a local island area, not a resort-only zone. When the marine team takes you to nearby channels for open water sessions, you may pass fishing boats or local islands. The standard rule applies: no pointing with your finger (use an open hand), and avoid touching coral or marine life. The resort’s marine team is strict about reef-safe sunscreen—if you don’t have your own, they provide it. The local phrase kihineh (pronounced kee-hee-neh) means “how much?” and is useful if you visit a local island market, though the resort handles all excursions.

Freediving in the Maldives: Your Questions Answered

Do I need to be a strong swimmer to try freediving?

Comfort in the water matters more than swimming speed. The programme starts in waist-deep water and progresses slowly. If you can float on your back and tread water for two minutes, you’re ready for the introductory session. The marine team will assess your comfort level before moving to deeper water.

How deep will I actually dive during the programme?

Most beginners reach 5–8 metres by the third session. The focus is on technique and safety, not depth. Fahd Faiz’s curriculum prioritises equalisation and rescue skills over pushing limits. If you want to go deeper, you’ll need additional sessions and possibly a separate advanced course.

Is freediving safe for someone with sinus issues?

It depends on the severity. Mild congestion can make equalisation difficult and increase the risk of sinus squeeze. The marine team recommends a pre-dive check with the resort doctor if you have chronic sinus problems. If you’re clear on the day, you can try a shallow session and see how your ears respond.

What happens if I can’t equalise on a dive?

You stop and ascend. The programme teaches you to recognise the signs of equalisation failure—pressure, pain, or a feeling of fullness—and to abort the dive immediately. The marine team drills this response until it’s automatic. No one is pushed past their comfort zone.

Can I combine freediving with other activities like a sunset dhivehi cruise?

Yes, but plan your day carefully. Freediving sessions are best in the morning when the water is calm. A sunset cruise is a separate activity that doesn’t interfere with recovery. Just avoid heavy meals between the two, and stay hydrated. The resort’s activity desk can help you schedule both without overlap.

One Last Thing Before You Go

The freediving programme at COMO Maalifushi isn’t about chasing depth—it’s about learning to move through the water with less effort and more awareness. Fahd Faiz has trained over 1,000 students, and the curriculum he’s built here reflects that experience: slow, deliberate, and safety-first. If you’re looking for a way to connect with the reef on its own terms, this is a solid place to start.

Sources and further reading

COMO Maalifushi launches freediving with Maldives pioneer Fahd Faiz. Travel Trade Maldives, 2025.

COMO Maalifushi launches freediving with Maldivian pioneer Fahd Faiz. Maldives.net.mv, 2025.