Get certified
A freediving course teaches breath-hold technique, equalizing, and the rescue skills to look after a dive buddy. These schools and shops teach courses near the spots on Nautical Nick. Nobody pays to be listed. Courses, prices and dates change, so check with the provider before you book.
San Diego
Just Get Wet
Molchanovs beginner, intermediate and advanced freediving courses, plus freediving and spearfishing combo courses.
San Diego (Morena Boulevard). Ocean days at Mission Bay and La Jolla Shores.
Visit Just Get WetDive California
PADI Freediver course.
San Diego. Pool and ocean sites are sent after booking.
Visit Dive California
Orange County
Beach Cities Scuba
PADI Basic Freediver course.
Laguna Beach (North Coast Highway).
Visit Beach Cities ScubaSpear America
FII Level 1 freediving course.
Costa Mesa. Classroom and pool day, then an ocean day at Catalina.
Visit Spear America
LA County
SoCal Spear-It
PFI Freediver and Intermediate courses, taught by Lance Lee Davis.
Los Angeles. Ocean days at Veteran’s Park Beach in Redondo Beach.
Visit SoCal Spear-ItMalibu Divers
PADI freediving training.
Malibu (Pacific Coast Highway near Las Flores Canyon Road).
Visit Malibu Divers
Santa Barbara
UCSB Recreation
Entry-level Freediving Skills and Certification course.
UC Santa Barbara, open to the public. Includes a boat dive at the Channel Islands.
Visit UCSB Recreation
Monterey
Aquarius Dive Shop
PADI Freediver course.
Monterey (Del Monte Avenue). Pool training, then ocean sessions in Monterey Bay.
Visit Aquarius Dive ShopOdyssey Freediving
Beginner to advanced freediving courses and private courses.
Monterey, with community line sessions on Sundays.
Visit Odyssey Freediving
Find an instructor anywhere
The freediving agencies list their own instructors:
Checked against each provider’s own site on October 4, 2026. Teach freediving near one of these regions and want to be listed? Get in touch.