Most people asking about freediving in Malaysia ask the same two questions. Can I actually do this? And how much is it, really?
The first one, you find out in the water. The second one is this page.
The short answer
| Course | Price | What else to budget for |
|---|---|---|
| SSI FreediverPool + open water | RM1,900 | The expedition for your open water sessions |
| SSI Pool FreediverSelf-paced, pool | RM1,180 | Pool entry, RM55 per session |
| Upgrade to SSI FreediverAfter Pool Freediver | RM1,180 | The expedition for your open water sessions |
| SSI Try Freediving2 hours, pool | RM250 | Nothing. Gear and pool fee included. |
These are our prices at Shello, the same in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. Other schools price differently. Whoever you train with, the questions below are worth asking.
SSI Freediver: RM1,900 + your expedition
This is where we'd start most people. The full certification: 1 theory session, 2 pool sessions and 3 open water sessions. You certify at 10 metres, and the card lets you freedive with a buddy to 20 metres (12 metres for ages 12–14).
Included: SSI digital learning materials, instructor fee, freediving equipment rental and your SSI digital certification.
Not included: the island part. Your open water sessions happen on one of our freediving expeditions, and accommodation, meals and transport are charged separately. Right now that's Lang Tengah (3D2N, back from March 2027) or Bali (from RM2,699, 4D3N).
SSI Pool Freediver: RM1,180 + pool entry
For people who want more time to get comfortable before the ocean (nervous in water?). The course stays in the pool, max 5 metres. It covers theory, breathing, relaxation, equalisation, static and dynamic apnea, duck dives and finning.
There's no fixed number of lessons. You keep coming to scheduled sessions until you've met every SSI requirement. The course fee covers the coaching for all of them. What you pay each time is the pool entry: RM55 per session.
Upgrade to SSI Freediver: RM1,180
Already have SSI Pool Freediver? The upgrade is the open water half of the SSI Freediver certification, done on a Shello expedition. Same as above: the expedition fee is separate.
Try Freediving: RM250
Two hours in the pool with an instructor: breathing technique, finning with freediving fins, equalisation and your first dives. Ages 10 and up, no experience needed.
- Group: RM250 per person. Private: RM350 per person.
- Mask, snorkel, fins and pool fee are included.
- Sign up for a full course on the same day and RM200 goes toward it.
For the very nervous. If deep water scares you, two hours in the pool tells you a lot. What happens on a first course →
The costs people forget
Pool entry
Some courses include it, some don't. Ask. With us, Try Freediving and SSI Freediver include it for the scheduled sessions; SSI Pool Freediver charges RM55 per session.
The expedition
You can't certify for the ocean in a pool. Any course with open water means getting to open water: transport, a room, food. Budget it from day one.
Training after the course
A card doesn't keep you comfortable underwater. Time in the water does. Our coached sessions at The Lakeview Club and Relau are RM100 each, or RM500 for 5 + 1. Bukit Kiara Pool, our premium depth-training water, is RM140 a session or RM700 for 5 + 1. How training works →
Gear
You don't need to buy anything to start. Equipment is included in our courses. Buy your own fins and mask after you know you love it, not before.
So which one should I pay for?
- You want to become a freediver: SSI Freediver. One structured course, pool to open water. This is where we'd start most people.
- You're a little nervous and want time: SSI Pool Freediver. Learn in the pool until you're ready, then upgrade when you want the ocean.
- You're really nervous about the water: Try Freediving. Two hours, RM250, no commitment.
Still deciding? Compare the two paths side by side, or ask us. Honest answers, no hard sell.