Frequently Asked Questions
How to get to your place?
First of all, you need to reach Denpasar, Bali. You can take a flight to the international airport Ngurah Rai (Denpasar). It is a very busy airport serving direct flights from Europe, Asia, and Australia. As an option, you take international airports like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok for transit.
After landing you are supposed to take a taxi to Sanur harbor which would take around half an hour. Here is the complete guide for getting to Nusa Penida.
Do I need a visa?
Citizens of more than 100 countries have the right to stay in Indonesia for up to 30 days without a visa. Usually, if you want to stay in Indonesia longer than that, you have 2 options. First is a visa on arrival that costs USD 35 which is valid for the same 30 days but can be extended twice (each time for a period of 30 days). You also can apply for a tourist visa in the embassy of Indonesia, which is valid for 60 days and can be extended 4 times so that you can stay in Indonesia for 6 months without going out of the country.
These are the general rules for foreign citizens to stay in Indonesia. We are not sure if citizens of your country have the same right so we kindly ask you to check it before arrival.
Is accommodation cost included in the prices of courses?
As a rule, accommodation cost is not included in the course’s price. However, we can offer you complete packages, that include accommodation, a Manta trip, and land tours around the island. You can book accommodation by yourself using any of the available systems of booking.
What is the language of the courses?
We conduct courses in English, Indonesian, and Russian languages. We speak Bahasa Indonesia as well. We will be your guides in freediving as well as in daily life on the island. We will help you to communicate with locals since there is an Indonesian-speaking crew in Freedive Nusa.
Is there internet and mobile phone connection on the island?
Almost every hotel/homestay has Wi-Fi. We have free Wi-Fi in the school. The strongest connection among all mobile providers is Telkomsel. This operator has the best internet connection for their mobile internet. XL and Indosat mobile providers are also available on the island, but the quality of their connection is weaker.
Is your school open all year long? When is the best time to come?
Freedive Nusa is the only freediving school on the island, we are working 12 months a year. You are very welcome to come anytime you want. There is a high season on the island which starts from July to September. During this time you have the chance to see Mola-Mola fish (Moonfish), which attracts divers from all over the world. During high season the water is a bit colder and prices for accommodation a bit higher.
The low season starts from December to February as for all of Bali regions. It could rain during the low season. However, Nusa Penida is a dry region, and the weather is cooler than the rest of Bali. The visibility stays on the same level all year, even in the rainy season.
How often you are holding the courses?
We have a team of instructors and start courses nearly every day. Just send us a message and choose dates the most convenient for you.
How I can sign up for the course?
Simply send us a message through Contact Page or your favorite messenger and we will provide you with all the information about booking and prepayment.
You can also find our courses and trips on some booking platforms such as Viator or ReadyBali.
Is Freediving a safe sport?
YES! Freediving is a very safe sport if it is practiced correctly. It is a natural activity, and the human body is very well capable of breath-holding and diving underwater. Taking an officially recognized freediving course will only make you a safer and more confident freediver.
Accidents happen because of a lack of proper training and education. Beware of bogus freediving coaches. Ask questions about their certification so that you will know that you are safe with them.
What’s the difference between snorkeling and freediving?
Although recreational freediving and snorkeling are very similar, there are some differences between these two activities. Snorkeling is the act of floating on the surface while using a mask to see underwater and having a snorkel to breathe while keeping one’s face submerged.
Freediving allows you to dive deep under the water and interact with the environment and not just stare at it from the surface. With freediving, you will learn advanced breathing techniques, and you will learn to move efficiently underwater through the use of efficient equipment.⠀
Freediving will give you much more freedom and excitement while exploring the underwater world!
What to do besides diving on Nusa Penida?
The nature of the island is fantastic. This fact alone can be the only reason to come here. High cliffs, unbelievable landscapes, beautiful beaches, underground temple, water springs, and natural ponds…You can hardly get bored of diving here, either at the boat-distanced spots or directly from the beach. Here you can read about all the activities available on the island.
What should I bring with me to the island?
It would be beneficial to bring your own freediving equipment if you have one. Fins, mask, snorkel, belt, and 3 mm wetsuit would be a good start. No need to carry weights. If you do not have the equipment, we will provide you as the equipment is included in the cost of all courses.
Also, we have a small shop in the school, so you can buy freediving equipment from us right on the island.
Comfortable shoes (runners) for exploring the island, sunglasses, and sun cream (take the strongest one with protection level 50) to feel comfortable under the tropical sun, photo and video cameras to capture all the beauty of the island would be very useful.
How strong should I be physically to take a freediving course?
Freediving is an activity for everyone. It can be as safe, easy, and enjoyable as cycling in the forest or hiking the mountain with friends. Naturally, your progress would be faster if you were stronger physically. If you have such an opportunity we recommend you take a basic freediving course in the pool (usually available in big cities). It will give you the basic knowledge, skills, and understanding of what happens to your body in the water. It will make your first deep experience easier. Yoga, stretching, swimming, and meditation are good preparation and perfect training for freediving.
Are there any limitations for freediving that I should know about?
If you have regular problems with otitis, sinusitis, the curvature of the nasal septum, or other diseases connected with ears or nasal sinuses it may slow down your progress or even make diving impossible. In this case, we recommend you visit the ENT doctor in advance. If you solve these problems before the course it will make you learn more effectively because equalization in ears and sinuses is the most often problem that can stop you before diving to your possible depth limits.
Is there a need for a diving or snorkeling experience to participate in the course?
Of course, it can be beneficial but you do not have to. Freediving is an activity for anyone even if you have never dived before. It would be our pleasure if you could spend your first time freediving experience and discover underwater freedom with us.
How can I freedive if I can not hold my breath for too long?
This is one of the popular doubts for beginners but it appears only due to unknowing. During your basic freediving course, you will learn proper breathing and relaxation techniques. Almost all the students reach breath-hold times of well over 2 minutes without any problems during the first lesson!
Do I have to be a great swimmer to start freediving?
No, you don’t need to be on an expert swimmer level to start freediving, but you need to be comfortable in open water. When we do our open water sessions, you won’t see the ocean floor, and open water swimming is something different than swimming in a pool or snorkeling near the beach.
If you can swim comfortably in the ocean for about 200 meters without seeing the ocean floor, you are good to go. If you are not confident in the water, you can take a private class about swimming and water confidence before the course to be better prepared for further freediving experience.
How should I go about selecting a freedive course?
The best way to start is with the Basic Freediving Course – Level 1. These are 2.5-day courses and the perfect first step into the world of freediving.
If it is too long for your first experience, you can also start with a half-day Try Freediving course which we usually call “Advanced Snorkeling”.
If you want to know more about the different options and what is possible, please feel free to contact us, and we will be happy to assist you.
Do I need travel insurance?
We recommend you take out travel insurance for the entire period of your stay in Indonesia. We can recommend DiveAssure as a company that works internationally all around the world and provide both Travel Insurance and Diving Insurance.
How to move around the island?
You can rent a motorbike on the island. It would cost you around IDR 60-70k per day. If you already renting a motorbike you can bring it to the island by going through Padang Bai harbor using a ferry boat. But it makes sense only if you are coming for more than 2-3 days. If you are coming just for a couple of days it is not worth spending a long time on the journey to Padang Bai.
There is an option to rent a car with a driver to explore the island for the whole day. It costs around IDR 600.000 per day. If you can not drive a motorbike there are motorbike taxis on the island.
Could I go scuba diving on the island?
Sure, there are several scuba dive centers on the island. We are not teaching scuba diving but will help you to choose a good dive center and will give you the most useful tips. Manta rays, sharks, Mola-Mola fish, turtles, most beautiful corals, millions of fish, rich marine life for macro lovers. Nusa Penida has one of the best dive sites around Bali.
Where to eat on the island?
Just near the school, there are a few places with tasty healthy food. One average meal would cost you 3-6$. You can reach morning and evening markets in 5-7 minutes by motorbike, where you can buy fruits and vegetables. In walking distance, there is Pura Ped temple, you can get some fruits and veggies in the shops around there. If you need some special food, better to bring it from Bali.
I never did a course before but I have some experience. Can I start with the Level 2 course?
If you have never done a course before it is highly recommended that you start with Level 1 because there are things that you learn there that are vital for your progression and which will not be taught a second time on the next courses, such as proper breathing for freediving, breathing for relaxation, how to do a proper and safe breathe-up, plus safety and rescue from blackout, proper finning and streamlining, etc.
What is the difference between Molchanovs, SSI, and AIDA?
Most of our courses are Molchanovs. As for the course content, there is no big difference between different systems except the theory materials, some skills, requirements, and certification. Molchanovs is present all around the world and you will be able to continue your freediving education whenever you are traveling. If later on, you want to continue with AIDA or another agency, you do not need to redo the equivalent course, since agencies recognize each other.
What should I know before doing freediving and snorkeling with Manta Rays?
Please, read the detailed Manta Rays Code of Conduct, follow these rules, and always be a positive role model for others.