marianacardoso

I was thinking about having a diving course while i was at koh tao and i got interested in freediving because it looks like something that i would be able to do by myself after.
Scubadiving it's very expensive and everytime i wanted to dive i had to pay a lot right? So if i took a freediving course i would be able to go on snorkeling trips and make the most of it afterwards.

I'm not sure if this is true. Is it?

Thanks!

Hanuman

Free Diving is an extreme sport IMO and refer to the ability to dive deep without the aid of a breathing apparatus.

Snorkelling is basically swimming with fins, mask and a snorkel something the average person who know how to swim can do. Advance snorkelers can dive down deep while holding their breath and IMO this will take practise and training to achieve. To reach the best snorkelling sites, or locations, you normally need to take a boat.

marianacardoso

I know that. I also know that i had to take a boat, that is why i told i would go on a snorkeling trip, and they're not that expensive, right? Don't get me wrong, i know freediving is hard, but the point of this topic was to ask about the freediving course.

Do u think it's a bad idea? Would scuba diving be more fun?

I was thinking about going to koh tao because i heard that the water there was crystal clear, more than koh phagan. Then i started thinking about those courses, the one's i was not even thinking about doing because i'll be on a budget.

Snorkeling trips will be enough for me to get a beautiful sea life and corals?

I'm sorry, it's my first time and i have too many questions, even more the more i read. Thanks.

inquest

My question is have you tried it before.As hanuman put it,its a form of extreme sport which requires lot of training and its not for everybody.Success not guaranteed.Sea life is at its best at depths of between 20'-60'(depending on the clarity of water).A colorful and abundant marine life can be viewed at those depths.So staying underwater for longer time without O2 becomes difficult.In my opinion free divers are not people looking for marine life.They do it for the thrills and often to better their own record.
On the other hand.Scuba is for the sole purpose of discovering underwater life.I gets you up close and personal with the many critters.Its an exhilarating experience.Though expensive this too need training,ranging from a few days in your hotel pool to open water diving.
Most of the dive operator take you to Sail Rock ,Koh Tao from Koh Phangan

NoFlyZone

You don't need to go deep to start enjoying freediving. But you do have to get used to basic, simple surface diving first. That is, breath holding dives from the surface to 10, 15, 20 feet for as long as you can hold it.

Best bet, to get a flavor for the activity, is to hire a scuba or snorkeling instructor and have them teach you the various techniques for breath control and dive technique. Once learned you can snorkel on the surface and should you see something interesting, can then go down and see it up close. It's a fun alternative (or accompaniment) to scuba diving; many of us do that during scuba's required surface intervals.

I taught basic surface diving as part of an optional snorkeling lesson when I used to teach basic open water scuba. And scuba instructors are encouraged to do so mainly to improve student swimming skills.

marianacardoso

Scuba diving must be really beautiful and the underwater activities and sea life all look very appealing to me even though i never tried anything really.

I think i might just go with some snorkeling. I don't think i will have much money to spend in courses... And if i did i would have to give up some of my travel plans in southeast asia. Maybe onde day, if i get to come back for another trip and i'm already working... I'm still studing so my savings aren't a lot! Do you think i should stick with koh tao if i don't take any course anyway or go ko phagan instead? I'm not interested in the full moon party, just beaches and beautiful nature! Koh samui looks very touristy and i'll be going in august. Thanks!