Learning to Freedive at Apneista Amed: Courses, Costs and Why Jemeluk Bay Suits Beginners

On Bali's north-east tip, Jemeluk Bay in Amed is one of the easiest places in the world to try freediving: you walk off a black-pebble beach straight into warm, calm water, no boat required. On the edge of that bay sits Apneista Freediving & Yoga School, the first freediving school in Bali, which treats breath-holding as a practice rather than an extreme sport.

Why Jemeluk Suits Beginners

• Everything can be a shore dive: enter from the beach, and the bottom drops away quickly, so depth lines sit close to shore.
• Warm, clear water that is relatively sheltered from strong current all year.
• A boat is only needed beyond 50 metres; boat trips run three times a week.

Courses and What They Cost

Apneista certifies through the Molchanovs system, with a deliberately small student-to-instructor ratio.

• Level 1 – Basics: 2 days, around IDR 4.6 million. For complete beginners.
• Level 2 – Advanced: 3 days, around IDR 6.5 million, including an excursion to the USAT Liberty wreck.
• Level 3 – Deep: 4 days focused on FRC diving and mouthfill equalisation; price on enquiry.
• Masters over 4 weeks (about USD 900) and Instructor Training over 10 days (about USD 1,350).
• Breath & yoga: daily yoga at Blue Earth Village plus the Breath Space class every Friday at 10am (around IDR 150,000).

Requirements, Gear and Daily Training

• No diving experience needed; you simply have to be comfortable in water and able to swim at a basic level.
• Courses include theory, sessions in the 25-metre pool at Blue Earth Village, open water in the bay, safety skills and video analysis.
• Only weights are included; fins, mask and wetsuit are rented on site.
• Already Level 2 certified? Join the training group every morning at 8am after passing a safety assessment, or book a coaching session from 9am to noon.

Practical Info & Booking

• Location: Jl. I Ketut Natih, Purwakerti, Amed Jemeluk, Karangasem 80852 — View on Google Maps
• Hours: Monday–Sunday, 8am–6pm (WITA).
• Price range: breathwork class around IDR 150,000; certification courses around IDR 4.6–6.5 million; advanced programmes quoted in US dollars.
• Booking: book through the official site apneista.com or the official WhatsApp listed there. Level 1 slots fill up in high season, so reserve a few days ahead.
• Staying over: Apneista does not run its own accommodation — pick a hotel in Jemeluk or Bunutan so you can walk to class.
• Social: @apneistafreediving

A two-day course feels far lighter when you sleep near the bay; compare rates and book your Amed hotel voucher on AccessiaPass before you lock in your course dates.