Level 1 Freedive + Intro to Spearfishing™ Course
$495 + Boat Fee (PADI‑Certified)
Embark on your freediving journey with our two‑day Level 1 Freedive + Intro to Spearfishing™ Course, a PADI‑accredited program designed for new and aspiring spearos. This course combines foundational breath‑hold diving skills with practical spearfishing techniques and is offered at multiple locations on Florida’s Atlantic & Gulf Coasts.
What’s Included
- Comprehensive curriculum: Four phases covering knowledge development, confined‑water skills, open‑water training and an introduction to spearfishing. You’ll learn how your body reacts to breath‑holding, how water pressure affects you, how to select and use freediving/spearfishing equipment and the essential safety, rescue and buddy procedures.
- Small class sizes: Our 4:1 student‑to‑instructor ratio ensures you get more personalised coaching and water time.
- Local training sites: We train in St. Augustine and Weeki Wachee/Hudson, using offshore reefs and legendary springs such as Hospital Hole (a 150‑ft wide sinkhole on the Weeki Wachee River), Buford Springs (an 80‑ft deep cavern popular with free divers) and Hudson Grotto (a deep sinkhole with platforms at 25, 60 and 100 feet). Choose our “Springs Only” option if you prefer to train exclusively in freshwater without a boat fee.
Course Schedule
- Day 1: 10 AM–1 PM Classroom & Confined‑Water Training; 1 PM–1:30 PM break; 1 PM–5 PM open‑water training.
- Day 2: 8 AM–4 PM Offshore open‑water training (weather permitting). If offshore conditions don’t allow, we’ll train at a nearby spring.
Boat fees (around $225 per diver) cover the offshore day. If you select the Spring’s Only course, there’s no boat fee.
2026 Group Course Calendar
- The Dive Source – St. Augustine, FL: *MAY 15/16 (limited seats)
- Savage Diving Academy – Weeki Wachee/Hudson, FL: Available weekly throughout the season *May 30th/31st *June 6th/7th
Click to book your Hudson, FL Group Course
Click to book your St. Augustine Group Course
Times and locations are subject to change. Participants are responsible for their own transportation. Boat fees are not included unless you choose the Spring’s Only option.
Private Freediving Courses
For a tailored experience, book a private course for your group or family. Pricing starts at $2,400 for up to 4 divers or $2,600 for up to 6 divers, with personalised scheduling and one‑on‑one instruction.
Click to book your Private Course