Freediving & Spearfishing Courses UK
We’re Cornwall’s highest-rated dive school, home to world champion and expert AIDA-certified freediving instructors, right in the heart of Cornwall, UK.
- AIDA Certified Instructors
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UK's Best
Diving
Locations
- Sustainable & Ethical Practices
- All Levels & Experience Welcome
- AIDA Certified Instructors
-
UK’s Top Diving
Spots
-
All Experience
& Levels Welcome
-
Sustainable & Ethical
Practices
Explore the Cornish Coast With Delphy Pool
From secluded coves to crystal-clear open waters, Cornwall offers some of the UK’s most spectacular freediving and spearfishing locations.
At Delphy Pool, our courses take you beyond the pool, out into breathtaking coastal spots chosen for their clarity, depth, and marine life. Whether you’re mastering breath-hold techniques or learning sustainable spearfishing, you’ll be training in the very waters that make Cornwall world-famous.
Explore the Cornish Coast With Delphy Pool
From secluded coves to crystal-clear open waters, Cornwall offers some of the UK’s most spectacular freediving and spearfishing locations.
At Delphy Pool, our courses take you beyond the pool, out into breathtaking coastal spots chosen for their clarity, depth, and marine life. Whether you’re mastering breath-hold techniques or learning sustainable spearfishing, you’ll be training in the very waters that make Cornwall world-famous.
Freediving Courses UK
Discover the art of breath-hold diving in the UK’s clearest coastal waters. Our AIDA-certified freediving courses take you from pool training to open water mastery, with expert coaching in breath control, equalisation, and safety. Whether you’re a first-time diver or aiming for advanced certification, Cornwall’s unique conditions and our purpose-built facilities create the perfect training environment.
Ready To Book Your Next Adventure?
Spearfishing Courses UK
Step into the world of sustainable underwater hunting. Our spearfishing courses blend freediving skills, fish identification, and ethical practices to ensure you hunt responsibly. Learn with the UK’s top instructors in Cornwall’s rich coastal waters, and leave confident in both technique and conservation.
Marine Foraging Courses UK
Combine ocean exploration with the thrill of gathering your own wild seafood. Our foraging courses teach you how to identify and sustainably collect scallops, lobsters, crabs, and edible seaweeds — all while enjoying Cornwall’s stunning shoreline. Perfect for food lovers and ocean adventurers alike.
Rated Cornwall's Top Freedive & Spearfishing School
Purpose Built Diving Facilities in Cornwall
Train in our crystal-clear inland dive site before taking your skills to the Cornish coast. Facilities include a professional-grade training pool, open-water access, changing rooms, hot showers, sauna, and a wood-fired hot tub overlooking the water.
- 32 meter training pool at our quarry site
- Private open-water access
- Modern changing rooms & hot showers
- Wood-fired sauna & hot tub
Why Choose Delphy Pool?
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to learn freediving?
Most people can learn the basics of freediving in just one to two days with an entry-level AIDA freediving course. For example, the AIDA 1 course introduces you to breath hold training, equalisation, and safe buddy diving in a single day. Many students then continue straight into AIDA 2 freediving certification, which typically takes another day and qualifies you to dive confidently to depths of 20 metres. While you’ll feel comfortable underwater after your first course, freediving is a skill that improves over time with practice, breathing exercises, and progressive training.
Is a freediving course worth it?
Yes – a structured freediving course in the UK is by far the safest and most effective way to learn. Freediving isn’t just about holding your breath; it requires proper equalisation, buoyancy control, and safety procedures. At Delphy Pool in Cornwall, our AIDA-certified instructors teach you step by step, using a purpose-built inland dive site with depths of up to 38m before moving into open water. A course ensures you develop correct habits from the start, gain confidence in the water, and leave with an internationally recognised certification that allows you to freedive worldwide.
How long does it take to become a freediver?
You can become a certified freediver in as little as two days by completing the AIDA 1 & 2 combined freediving course at Delphy Pool. This takes you from beginner to internationally recognised freediver in a single weekend. You’ll progress from pool sessions to open-water dives in Cornwall, mastering both static and dynamic apnea techniques. We also offer three-day options that provide more water time. Becoming a freediver is less about natural talent and more about learning proven techniques and training safely under expert guidance.
Is freediving hard to learn?
Freediving is not difficult to learn, especially with the right instruction. Most beginners are surprised at how quickly they adapt once they learn proper freediving breathing exercises and relaxation techniques. At Delphy Pool, our beginner courses are designed to make you feel comfortable, focusing on safety and gradual progression. Freediving challenges both mind and body, but with AIDA training and expert coaching, you’ll find it’s an enjoyable and rewarding way to explore the ocean.
Where to freedive in the UK?
Some of the best places to freedive in the UK are in Cornwall, thanks to its clear waters, sheltered coves, and diverse marine life. Popular sites include Falmouth Bay for its accessible depths, The Lizard Peninsula for rocky reefs and excellent visibility, and St Ives Bay for sandy-bottom diving and flatfish. At Delphy Pool, you’ll start in our inland quarry – a safe, controlled training environment – before heading to carefully chosen Cornish coastal sites for open-water dives. This combination makes Cornwall one of the top freediving destinations in the UK.
Is it legal to spearfish in the UK?
Yes, spearfishing is legal in the UK for recreational purposes, provided you follow local laws and respect catch limits, species protections, and seasonal restrictions. There are some Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) where spearfishing is not permitted, but our courses at Delphy Pool will guide you on how to identify and avoid these. Spearfishing remains one of the most sustainable forms of fishing when practised responsibly.
Where is the best place to spearfish in the UK?
The best spearfishing in the UK is found in Cornwall, thanks to its rich marine biodiversity and clear waters. Popular shore-diving spots include Falmouth Bay, The Lizard Peninsula, and St Ives Bay, where species like bass, mullet, pollock, and flatfish are common. Cornwall offers both beginner-friendly shallows and more advanced reef systems, making it the ideal destination for learning to spearfish.
What is the best place for spearfishing?
For learning and improving your spearfishing skills, the best place is Cornwall, and specifically with the expert guidance of Delphy Pool’s spearfishing courses. We combine structured training at our inland site with open-water sessions in Cornwall’s most productive spearfishing locations. This balance gives you the confidence, safety, and knowledge to continue spearfishing independently.
Do I need a licence to spearfish?
No, you don’t need a licence to spearfish in the UK. However, you must follow the law by respecting minimum size limits, avoiding protected species, and steering clear of marine reserves where fishing is restricted. At Delphy Pool, our courses include detailed guidance on local regulations so you can spearfish legally and sustainably.
Can you spearfish in Cornwall?
Yes, Cornwall is one of the best regions in the UK for spearfishing. With its rugged coastline, sheltered coves, and thriving fish populations, it offers both beginners and experienced spearfishers plenty of opportunity. From shallow reefs in St Ives Bay to deeper waters around The Lizard, Cornwall has diverse environments for spearfishing. With Delphy Pool’s training, you’ll not only learn the skills but also the best places and conditions to spearfish safely and successfully.
Learn More From Our Blog Archive
What to Expect on Your First Spearfishing Course in Cornwall
Booking your first spearfishing course in Cornwall can feel like a big step, especially if you have never handled a speargun or practised breath-hold diving before. A beginner course is
AIDA 1 vs AIDA 1 & 2: Which Freediving Course Should You Book First?
If you want to learn to freedive, choosing your first course can feel slightly confusing. Should you start with AIDA 1, or book the combined AIDA 1 & 2 freediving
The Benefits of Combining Spearfishing and Foraging in Cornwall
If you are looking for a deeper connection to the Cornish coast, combining spearfishing Cornwall with coastal foraging offers something few other Cornwall outdoor activities can match. This is not