I have been freediving for nearly eight years now and compete in competitions across the globe. Put simply, freediving is holding your breath in an aquatic environment, but it is far more than that. Freediving gives you the chance to explore the ocean in a unique way – having no equipment gives you the ultimate freedom in the water.

We live on the small tropical island of Koh Tao in Thailand, however we spend much of the year travelling, freediving and exploring these incredible oceanic environments.

Freediving with the Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins

One such trip took us sailing along the the Kona coast of the Big Island of Hawaii when we spent two nights anchored in the gorgeous sweeping Kealakekua Bay, (the bay in which Captain Cook died). This meant that we were able to experience two liberating mornings freediving with a local pod of Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins. We prepared ourselves each sunrise as the dolphins made their way into the bay after a night out feeding at sea, where the dolphins would use the shallow bay during the day for protection, play and rest.

The moment we dived into the water, the dolphins came to us with curious eyes and playfulness. We were always careful to allow the dolphins to come to us, which they always would. Regardless, with a flick of a tail they could choose to leave us if they wished. The pod was over 60 strong and would spend the morning following us, playing tag with a leaf in the water, mimicking our movements and do what dolphins do, openly mate with one another. The intelligence of these graceful underwater mammals is unquestionable when you have been eye to eye with one. Our experience with the wild dolphins is simply captivating and enchanting.