Freedive Gili

Freedive Gili was founded in 2008 by Michael Board, an 18-time UK national record holder, and describes itself as Indonesia's original freediving centre. It runs courses every day for complete beginners through to competitive athletes, with a training pool on site and its own boat for open-water sessions on the surrounding reefs.

Most people start with the Level One beginner course, which typically takes two to three days and covers breath-hold theory, pool work and open-water dives. From there you can move on to Level Two and Three, specialities, first aid and CPR, daily coaching sessions, a one-week training block or a longer master programme. Instructor courses run on set dates through the year.

The school also has accommodation directly behind the training pool, a few minutes' walk from the boat landing, and Gili Yoga's garden studio is next door, which suits freedivers who want to add stretching and breathwork. Get in touch by email or through the website's contact page to check course dates.