Recommended Freediving Destinations | Top 10 in China and Overseas

Recommended Freediving Destinations in China

1. Shuangfan Stone, Lingshui, Hainan

Known as an excellent diving destination in China, it has water visibility of over 40 meters, unique underwater caves and rock crevices, coral coverage of up to 65%, and a chance of sardine run up to 90%.

It accommodates recreational snorkeling, professional freediving, and certified technical diving, covering all levels of diving needs. Shuangfan Stone is a favored hidden gem for divers and one of the most well-regarded dive sites in China's diving community in recent years.

Best season: diveable year-round; comfortable water temperatures in winter

Suitable level: beginners to advanced

2. Fenjiezhou Island, Lingshui, Hainan

China's first island-type 5A scenic area, rated as a "China Sports Tourism Quality Destination", with an all-round public diving base, calm waters, and rich marine life. You can experience projects such as an underwater ancient village and wreck deep dives.

Best season: diveable year-round

Suitable level: no experience to certified divers

3. Foshan · DiveHub International Dive Park

Located in the "Blue Tears" mine lake area of Sanshui District, Foshan, with a water area of 506 mu and water quality meeting Class II surface water standards. Current surveyed depth exceeds 40 meters, and visibility is relatively high. It offers scuba diving, freediving, snorkeling, and other activities, and has a national-level safety advisory team and AIDA-VB competition safety divers.

The underwater environment of the mine pit is unique, and the rock wall topography is striking. It is a rare open-water freediving training site in China.

Best season: open year-round (09:30-18:30)

Suitable level: AIDA Level 2 or higher certification recommended

4. Shanghai Songjiang · Mine Pit Dive Site

Located at InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland, it is one of the few open-water freediving sites in Shanghai. Underwater visibility can reach over 10 meters in sunlight, and the mine pit's rock wall topography is unique. The organizer requires divers to hold a freediving Level 2 or higher certification from AIDA, PADI, or another recognized agency. Insurance is mandatory. For each session, one instructor can take at most four divers into the water. Safety measures include underwater scuba supervision and surface buoys.

Best season: spring, summer, and autumn

Suitable level: certified Level 2 or above

Recommended Freediving Destinations Overseas

5. Philippines · Moalboal

Known for its year-round sardine run. It has dive sites for different levels, from Mermaid Point (with a mermaid statue at 6 meters) suitable for beginners to deeper, more challenging sites around Pescador Island.

The sardine school here is a must-see for freedivers; it appears reliably year-round and rarely disappoints.

Best season: diveable year-round

Suitable level: beginners to advanced

6. Indonesia · Tulamben, Bali

The USAT Liberty wreck is one of the world's most famous shore dives. Its top is only 3 meters deep, making it very suitable for freediving and snorkeling; it reaches a maximum depth of 28 meters and is 120 meters long.

It has become an ecosystem for more than 400 species of marine life and is an excellent entry point for diving adventures.

Best season: April-November

Suitable level: beginners to advanced

7. Indonesia · Nusa Penida

The only place in Bali where you can see manta rays and ocean sunfish year-round, with July-October being especially good. The manta ray population here remains almost year-round, and the coral reefs are colorful 365 days a year. It is home to more than 500 species of marine life, including whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays, and sea turtles.

Best season: July-October (best viewing period)

Suitable level: some experience required; some dive sites have currents

8. Thailand · Koh Tao

Widely regarded as one of the most popular places to learn diving, it is also an ideal place to learn freediving. Shallow, current-free sites such as Twins, White Rock, and Aow Leuk offer an excellent balance of underwater scenery and ideal practice conditions.

This is one of the most cost-effective places to get certified, and many freedivers around the world start here.

Best season: March-September

Suitable level: ideal for beginners

9. Japan · Kumejima, Okinawa

Known as one of Okinawa's beautiful diving destinations, it has extremely clear water. The signature dive site, "Manta Station", allows close viewing of schools of manta rays. Water visibility is extremely high, and in winter, surface water temperature stays around 23°C, making it one of the few areas suitable for diving year-round.

Best season: diveable year-round

Suitable level: beginners to advanced

10. Egypt · Red Sea (Hurghada/Marsa Alam)

The Red Sea is one of the world's well-known diving destinations. In winter, water temperature stays around 25°C, and a 2-3 mm wetsuit is enough for freediving. The Red Sea has spectacular coral reefs, rich marine life, and well-known wreck dive sites such as the SS Thistlegorm.

Suitable level: beginners to advanced

Freediving Destination Selection Guide

Destination Selection Tips for Freedivers

Ideal for beginners: Koh Tao (certification training), Fenjiezhou Island (try dives), Moalboal (sardine run)

Great for photos: Tulamben, Bali (wreck photos), Shuangfan Stone, Lingshui (sardine run)

Depth training: Foshan DiveHub (40-meter mine pit), Shanghai Songjiang Mine Pit (close to the city)

Advanced challenges: Nusa Penida (manta rays + ocean sunfish), Red Sea (wrecks + currents)