Freediving in Semporna

Good to Know

• Semporna's freediving scene is genuinely secondary to its scuba reputation — come here for Sipadan/Mabul-level scuba diving first; freediving courses exist but are a small side offering of local dive shops, not a dedicated freediving destination with AIDA or Molchanovs schools.
• If you specifically want AIDA or Molchanovs certification, it's worth double-checking directly with a Semporna operator before booking, since only PADI Freediver-level courses were confirmed locally at the time of research.
• There's no standalone freediving 'blue hole' or depth-training formation in Semporna distinct from the scuba sites — depth-oriented dives generally happen at the same permit-controlled Sipadan sites used by scuba divers.
• Sibuan Island's Bajau Laut community has a genuine traditional freediving heritage, worth knowing about as cultural context, though this isn't a tourist freediving training venue.
• If freediving is your main goal, understand that Semporna is built around scuba tourism (Sipadan/Mabul/Kapalai permits, boats, and infrastructure) — freediving courses exist but are a side offering at scuba shops, not a dedicated freediving scene.
• Ask any operator specifically which certifying body (PADI, SSI, AIDA, Molchanovs) and which instructor will run your freediving session — quality and safety protocol depth vary a lot between a shop that's 'mostly scuba, freediving on request' versus one with a dedicated freediving-trained coach.
• Currents around Mabul, Kapalai, and especially Sipadan can be strong at certain sites, so guided access with someone who knows local conditions matters more here than the freediving buddy system alone.