Founded by Costa Michailidis (the one in the salty business suit there), Costa Freediving exists to craft unforgettable aquatic adventures for you.
Founder Story
Not a joke; that's how I learned to swim. At eight years old, snorkeling over an absolutely majestic coral garden in Bermuda, I fell in love with the ocean rather permanently. I didn't know freediving was a thing, so I ended up doing scuba. It was sixty pounds of gear, a cloud of bubbles, and all for the feeling of being a clumsy guest in the ocean. Then I took my FII Level 1 course. It felt like someone had flipped a switch inside me, I could explore the ocean with nothing but my breath. For the first time in the ocean, I felt like I belonged! I never looked back.
Costa went on to become an instructor under the guidance of freediving legend Martin Stepanek, and founded Costa Freediving to share that feeling of belonging in the ocean through private, safety-obsessed aquatic adventures, guided by a world class team.
The Lineage
Costa's instructor trainer was Martin Stepanek: Thirteen-time freediving world record holder, the first human past 400 feet on a single breath, and the founder of Freediving Instructors International, the agency that wrote the book on modern freediving education. It is Martin's gold standard freediving education that's embedded into our adventures, and Martin himself often joins.
Your Freediving Team
Each adventure we craft is unique, and every detail requires special talents and expertise that we draw from our extensive global network.
Freediving Photography
FII instructor, expedition photographer, and the eye behind most of the photographs on this site. Andrew also built FII's Freediving Photography course with Martin and Costa. He has been freediving since he was ten, beginning in the waters of Papua New Guinea.
Andrew on Instagram
Spearfishing
Founder of Focus Freedive in San Diego, FII instructor trainer, and a spearfisherman shaped by six years living on Catalina Island. When the adventure is spearfishing your dinner, you want Brandon as your guide.
Focus Freedive
Wildlife Encounters, Hawaii
FII instructor trainer, captain, and ocean guide in Kona, where he runs open-ocean encounters with Hawaii's wildlife: Mantas, dolphins, sharks, and beyond. Dylan is also an incredible freediving photographer. His Instagram is breath-taking, his wildlife encounters are unforgettable.
Dylan on InstagramOur freediving family spans six continents, multiple languages, and a broad set of talents. Need a private underwater performance? A unique wildlife encounter? Ocean-to-table sashimi?
Freediving Instructors International
Gold standard freediving education
Manta rays after dark, a hug from a manatee, a secret shipwreck...
