Scuba divers carry a lot of equipment. Freedivers carry a mask, fins, a wetsuit and some weight, and most of the skill is in the diver. Still, the right gear makes freediving easier, warmer and safer, and the wrong gear can make a first session frustrating. This guide covers each item in the order you would put them on.
If you are coming to a course with us, you do not need to buy anything: everything is covered in the section on what we provide, near the end.
Freediving fins
Freediving fins are longer than the snorkelling fins you find in beach shops. The long blade moves a lot of water with a slow, relaxed kick, which saves energy and oxygen. That is the whole point: in freediving, efficiency matters more than speed.
Long-blade fins usually have a separate foot pocket and blade. Blades come in plastic, fibreglass and carbon. Plastic is tough and affordable, and a good choice to learn with. Fibreglass and carbon are lighter and more responsive, and more fragile and expensive. Blade stiffness matters too: softer blades are easier on the legs for beginners.
Short fins work for swimming and snorkelling, and for some pool training, but you will feel the difference on your first dive down a line.
The foot pocket should be snug without pinching. Most freedivers wear thin neoprene socks inside for comfort and warmth.
Freediving mask
A low-volume mask has a small air space and sits close to the face. That matters because you must add air to your mask as you go down to stop it squeezing your face. The smaller the space, the less precious air it takes from your lungs to equalise it.
What to look for:
- A soft silicone skirt that seals on your face without the strap pulled tight.
- A nose pocket you can pinch easily with one hand, because you will use it to equalise.
- A comfortable fit above all. Faces vary more than masks do, so try before you buy if you can.
Snorkel
A simple, flexible snorkel without valves or splash guards is best. You use it to rest and breathe at the surface between dives, face down. Freedivers take it out of the mouth before a dive, and many keep it clipped on the mask strap or the side of the mask.
Freediving wetsuit
A wetsuit keeps you warm and gives you some buoyancy. Freedivers get cold faster than swimmers because they move slowly and spend long periods in the water between dives, so warmth matters even in summer.
Freediving wetsuits are usually two pieces, with a hood, and many are open-cell on the inside. Open-cell neoprene clings to the skin, so very little water gets in, and it is noticeably warmer for its thickness. It is also more delicate and usually put on with a little water and soap or conditioner. Standard wetsuits with a lined inside are easier to put on and tougher, but let in more water.
Thickness depends on the season, the water temperature and how long you stay in. Off Plakias the water runs from about 20°C in May to around 27°C in August, so the month-by-month Plakias weather guide from our partners at Scuba Diving Crete is a good place to plan from. Our rental wetsuits are 5 mm freediving suits.
Weight belt
Neoprene floats, so with a wetsuit you need weight to get down comfortably. Freedivers use a rubber weight belt worn on the hips, which stays in place as the suit compresses and can be released quickly with one hand.
The right amount of weight makes you neutral at a shallow depth, so you float at the surface and are not being pulled down at depth. How much weight that is depends on your body, your suit and the depth you are diving. Set it with an instructor. Too much weight is a real safety problem, not just an inconvenience.
Buoy and lanyard
Freedivers train from a buoy at the surface with a line hanging down. The buoy marks where divers are for boats, gives you something to rest on, and the line gives you a straight path down and up. A lanyard clips you to the line when diving deeper, so you cannot drift away from it. These are safety equipment, and we set them up for you.
Dive computer
A freediving watch or computer records depth, dive time and surface intervals. Useful once you train regularly, not needed to start. On a course, your instructor tracks your dives.
What to buy first
If you are starting out, buy things in this order:
- A mask that fits. It is personal and the biggest single comfort upgrade.
- A snorkel and socks. Cheap and simple.
- Fins, once you have tried a few pairs and know the stiffness you like.
- A wetsuit, last, when you know where and when you will dive most.
Rent everything else until then.
What we provide
Everything specialised is included in our certification courses: long-blade freediving fins, low-volume masks, 5 mm wetsuits and weight belts, and we bring the buoys and lanyards. Discover Freediving includes all equipment too. You only need swimwear, a towel and sunscreen.
For training sessions after certification, equipment is not included, and you can bring your own or rent from our shop in Plakias: a full set from €30 a day, or single items such as a wetsuit (€15), long fins (€15), a mask and snorkel (€10) or a weight belt (€10). Every rental price is on the pricing page.
Next steps
New to the sport? Start with what freediving is and how to hold your breath longer, safely. When you are ready, see our freediving courses. Most sessions happen at Schinaria Beach, and the Plakias guide from Scuba Diving Crete covers the rest of your trip.