FREEDIVING WITHOUT THE ROPE!
To discover a underwater world of extraordinary beauty and live a unique experience; rocky seabeds, wrecks and caves where you can observe marine life lightly and discreetly as only a freediver can; with Katabasis Freediving and Sailing you can practice recreational freediving using all the concepts of modern freediving learnt during courses in the pool or at sea along the cable. Activities can be carried out independently or on request with an instructor/guide.
From the headquarters of KATABASIS FREEDIVING AND SAILING based in the Gulf of Baratti in Tuscany (Italy), we sail aboard our BAT 560 powered by Yamaha 115 hp to find incredibly beautiful dive sites to practice recreational freediving.
Navigation is an opportunity to see new places with a different point of view, relax and absorb all the energy of the sea while listening to some anecdotes and legends about the Etruscan Coast or the islands of the archipelago.
Discover below where it is possible to freedive without cable, bottom plate or depth to reach but only for the taste and luck of being in a wonderful place. For KATABASIS FREEDIVING AND SAILING this is what recreational freediving is all about.
Participation fees Recreational Apnea from the Gulf of Baratti
COSTA DEGLI ETRUSCHI | € 35 |
CERBOLI AND PALMAIOLA | € 50 |
SOUTH-EAST COAST OF ELBA | € 60 |
A short description of the freediving sites
THE ETRUSCAN COAST: the charm you don’t expect
Let yourself be surprised by the incredibly clear sea; the composition of the seabed is rocky with slabs of granite and huge boulders set on the white sandy bottom where you are likely to encounter groupers, barracuda, bream, gilthead, mullet and moray eels.
The underwater life is framed by the splendid surrounding scenery, which can be admired between dives: the charming marina, the incredible pine forest that surrounds the Gulf of Baratti (Tuscany – Italy), and the small village of Populonia with its castle towering above the promontory.
A spectacle above and below the sea, not to be missed, just for curious freedivers!
CERBOLI ISLAND: the sense of mystery
Located in the middle of the channel between Elba and Piombino, it offers interesting seabed depths that extend from 10 meters to over 40 meters, making it an attractive diving spot for freedivers.
Its circular perimeter slopes down almost vertically, with walls entirely covered in parazoanthus and multicoloured sponges. It is not difficult to see pelagic fish and, with a little luck, snappers and barracudas of reasonable size.
In front of the old port, on a 25-metre sandy seabed, two small shipwrecks lie on the seabed and are the ideal setting for a few photos… if you have enough breath!
PALMAIOLA ISLAND: the illuminating lighthouse
A small island that takes its name from the abundance of dwarf palms in the past. Conical in shape, it is home to the Italian Navy’s lighthouse, thanks to its height and exceptionally visible position, which have always made it a reference point for sailors.
The seabed is rocky and alternates with beds of white sand and poseidonia where it is easy to see elegant eagle rays swimming in the current together with barracudas and dentex. In addition to pelagic fish, it is possible to encounter lobsters, scorpion fish, moray eels and beautiful gorgonians. The island of Palmaiola is also a very safe nesting place for important species of sea birds such as the greater shearwater and the Corsican seagull. A place of old-world charm that will make you fall in love with its wild beauty.
Recreational freediving sessions include
- Sea trip with boat and safety equipment
- Diving buoy for every 3 divers
- Skipper/diving instructor/guide on board
- Actual duration of activities at sea 90 minutes (excluding travel)
- Maximum 6 freedivers on board
What is required
- Membership card valid for the current year (€ 25)
- Freediving certification
- Full equipment (rental possible)
Where, how and when
- At our base in Baratti in Tuscany (Italy) by consulting the events calendar
- During Freediving and Sailing cruises
- By sending us a request for a group of at least 4 people