Freediving Expedition · Indonesia

Barracuda storms, a jellyfish lake, and you on camera in impossibly blue water.

Maratua Freediving: instructor-led, with the Shello crew.

Reserve Your Spot See the details
28 Apr–2 May 2027next departure · 5D4N
Indonesiadestination
from RM4,800deposit RM2,000
Made forCertified freedivers: wildlife, blue water & underwater filming
Barracuda Point
Manta Parade
Turtle Highway
Coral Gardens
The Guide

Is this one for you?

Activity type

Freediving

Expedition format

Fun Dive

No course on this one. Come certified and dive.
Famous marine life
Barracuda stormsStingless jellyfish (Kakaban)Manta & eagle raysGreen sea turtlesWhale sharks (a chance)
Best season

March – October, Maratua's calmest, clearest window.

Suitable for

Certified freedivers: wildlife, blue water & underwater filming

Group size

Maximum 8 divers

Limited to 8 freedivers, so everyone gets real time in front of the camera.
Difficulty

Intermediate: relaxed blue-water freediving. You arrive certified.

Recommended certification

SSI Freediver

Certification required. There's no course or training on this expedition: it's wildlife and filming.

Why people love this one

  • Freedive into a barracuda storm, with a camera on you
  • Kakaban Island's Jellyfish Lake: thousands of stingless jellyfish
  • Mantas, turtles and blue water on the reefs
  • Underwater video coverage on every boat day: come home with the shots

Why late April in Maratua

It's the start of Maratua's calm, clear season: glassy mornings, warm water and long visibility. Made for slow, easy breath-holds.

  • Drop into a barracuda storm: hundreds of barracuda swirling around you in the blue
  • Kakaban's Jellyfish Lake: thousands of stingless jellyfish in a lake hidden inside the island
  • A chance of manta rays and eagle rays gliding over the reef
  • Freedive with the giant green sea turtles that rest on Maratua's reefs, often just a few metres down
  • It's whale shark season in the Derawan islands, so there's a chance to share the water with one
  • Walls that drop straight into deep blue: the backdrop for your best underwater shots

Marine life sightings depend on sea conditions, weather and nature. No sighting is guaranteed.

Planned Program

  • Day 1

    Arrive at Berau, transfer to Maratua.

  • Day 2

    Barracuda Point: freedive into the barracuda storm, with underwater filming.

  • Day 3

    Kakaban Island: Jellyfish Lake and underwater photography.

  • Day 4

    Mantas, turtles and blue water sessions on the reefs.

  • Day 5

    Return to Berau.

🏝 Accommodation

4 nights on Maratua: Manta, Barracuda or Ocean View Villa

🍽 Meals

All meals included: daily breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea & dinner, with Asian, Western & Indonesian cuisine

🚤 Getting around

Daily boat expeditions included; flights not included

Room options

  • Manta Villa: RM4,800/pax
  • Barracuda Villa: RM5,300/pax
  • Ocean View Villa: RM6,700/pax

What's Included

  • Full freediving coaching & guided water sessions
  • Boat arrangements for scheduled water sessions
  • Underwater video coverage during selected sessions
  • 4 nights accommodation
  • Daily breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Afternoon tea
  • Dinner
  • A selection of Asian, Western & Indonesian cuisine

Not Included

  • Flight tickets
  • Freediving equipment rental
  • Dive insurance
  • Tips & personal expenses

Before you go

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months at travel date
  • Check your equipment with your instructor early, buy or rent missing items in time
  • Book a pre-program pool session to refresh your skills
  • Buy flights only after we share the recommended schedule
  • Travel / dive insurance is highly recommended

Important Information

Shello Diver Club provides professional freediving and scuba coaching, guided water sessions, and expedition coordination. Accommodation, boat services, transportation, and other local logistics are arranged through our local operating partners where applicable.

Program schedules may be adjusted based on weather, sea conditions, participant safety, local operational requirements, and other unforeseen circumstances.

Deposit & cancellation policy

RM2,000 deposit secures your slot. Deposits are non-refundable. Full payment is due 1 month before departure. Cancellation (per person): 32–44 days before the expedition 50% of the expedition fee · 15–31 days 75% · 14 days or less 100%.

How your booking works

  1. Book
  2. Payment received
  3. Instructor confirms
  4. Booking confirmed

Payment does not automatically confirm your booking. Your slot is confirmed once your instructor approves it. You'll get a note the moment that happens.

Medical exception

Payments are generally non-refundable. However, for genuine medical emergencies or approved exceptional circumstances, Shello may convert the remaining unused value into Shello Credits instead of issuing a cash refund, subject to Shello approval.

Shello Credits

In approved exceptional circumstances, Shello may convert the unused value into Shello Credits instead of issuing a cash refund. These credits may be used towards future training, courses or expeditions, subject to Shello's approval.

Unexpected events

Shello reserves the right to amend or cancel expeditions due to weather, safety or unforeseen operational circumstances. Participants remain responsible for additional expenses such as flight changes, transport delays, accommodation changes, weather disruptions, illness and government restrictions.

Still Deciding?

Related programs