The original freediving school in Coron.

Founded in 2016 by two passionate freedivers and today led by Catalin “Cat” Craciun: safety, professionalism and personal attention, with the most reviewed freediving school on TripAdvisor as the result.

The Paolyn lagoon from above

Driven by a passion for the ocean and a desire to share the serenity of underwater exploration, Cat built the school on the principles of safety, professionalism and personal attention. He is an Instructor Trainer and widely recognised as the most experienced freediving educator in Palawan, having taught thousands of students from beginner to instructor levels.

Today we are the top-rated freediving center in Coron, known for high standards and exclusive training locations.

“Freediving is more than just holding your breath. It is a pathway to relaxation, self-discovery and a deeper connection with the ocean. Our mission is to guide you safely on this journey, helping you unlock your body's aquatic potential.”

Two classrooms nobody else has.

Paolyn Houseboats

We are the only school with access to the private lagoons at Paolyn Houseboats: calm, protected water away from the crowds of tourist boats, for a peaceful and focused learning environment.

Read about the lagoons

Barracuda Lake

We regularly train at the world-famous Barracuda Lake, known for its thermoclines and crystal-clear visibility: one of the most spectacular underwater landscapes on the planet.

Read about the lake

Meet the team.

Passionate, experienced, dedicated instructors: the heart of the school.

Catalin Craciun (Cat)

Instructor Trainer & Founder

Catalin discovered freediving in 2010 on the island of Utila, Honduras. Two years later, in 2012, he became a certified instructor at Apnea Total Headquarters in Koh Tao, Thailand, and has since taught thousands of students across multiple countries and oceans.

In 2015 he achieved the level of Instructor Trainer, the highest professional qualification in freediving, and he is the first and only Instructor Trainer in Coron and the whole province of Palawan. His students have become national record holders, competitive athletes and instructors running their own schools worldwide.

Daniel Simoni

Advanced Instructor & Videographer

Daniel's passion for the ocean started in Italy, where he learned freediving from his father. In 2016 he arrived in Coron and made it his home.

A certified Scuba Dive Master, Apnea Total Advanced Freediving Instructor and PADI Advanced Freediving Instructor, he is also a skilled spearfisher and an amazing videographer, praised for his calm, relaxed teaching style. Since 2017 he has taught and certified around 700 freedivers.

  • Established 2016: the original and longest-running school
  • Led by Palawan's only Instructor Trainer
  • Exclusive access to the private lagoons at Paolyn Houseboats
  • Small classes: max 3 students per instructor
  • Specialists in Barracuda Lake training
  • Top-rated on TripAdvisor, Google & Facebook

A note about similar school names.

As pioneers of freediving in this area, our success has inspired others. We are Freediving Coron, operating independently and not affiliated with other schools that adopted similar names. Many travellers have confused them, so to be sure you're booking the original school established in 2016, check our contact details:

Fair, safe, transparent.

The policies, short.

  • All bookings require a deposit to secure your spot. Deposits are non-refundable but fully transferable: you may rebook at no extra charge, subject to instructor availability, with no time limit. A no-show without notice loses the deposit. If we must cancel for weather or safety, we reschedule at no cost or transfer your deposit to another date. We highly recommend travel insurance.

  • Freediving is safe and rewarding under proper instruction and conditions, but like all water sports it involves inherent risks. You confirm that you are in good physical and mental health. If you have heart, lung, ear, sinus or neurological conditions, seek clearance from a licensed physician first. Participation is voluntary and at your own risk, and you agree to follow our safety instructions at all times.

  • By booking you agree to follow our policies, safety instructions and local regulations; we may refuse service to anyone unfit, unsafe or under the influence. Students consent to being photographed or filmed during training unless they opt out in writing. Your details are used only to process your reservation, and we never sell or share personal data.