Freedive Aotearoa expedition
Niue Ocean Escape 2027
Seven nights. Six guests, three instructors. Humpbacks, dolphins and the clearest water in the Pacific.
From $4,800 $500 deposit holds your room
Freedive Aotearoa expedition
One of the last wild ocean places
Seven nights on Niue. Six guests, three instructors, so about one coach for every two of you. Whales, dolphins, depth and breathwork, in water clear to 80 m.
It's for confident swimmers with a general level of fitness. No freedive certificate needed, and scuba divers are welcome. Take it all in, or take a hammock afternoon. You set your pace.
Where you'll stay
A cliff-top villa in Namukulu
Our own house on the quiet west coast. Shared kitchen, ocean-facing decks, and the Pacific through every window.
Freedive-family style: simple and shared, more dive house than five-star. What you give up in polish, you get back in price and connection.
How the trip runs
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Arrival
We meet you at the airport
Transfers are included. We take you to the villa in Namukulu and settle in.
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Each morning
Breathwork and mobility
Continental breakfast every day, then a gentle start with the breath.
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On the water
Coaching, depth and technique
Deep walls metres from shore. Everything in the water is coached.
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Through the week
Whales, dolphins and reef
Two humpback whale swims and a spinner dolphin and reef tour, all with licensed Niuean operators.
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Free time
Your rhythm
Swimming holes and hidden spots, or a book on the deck. Nothing is compulsory.
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Evenings
Kai under dark skies
Three dinners together, including a traditional Niuean feast night, and the Milky Way overhead.
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Last day
Back to the airport
Transfer to your flight home, salty and slowed down.
What's included
The daily plan moves with the weather and the whales. This is an expedition, not a bootcamp.
Rooms
All prices NZD per person, for the whole week
Ocean-View Double: $5,400 each for a couple ($10,800 for two), or $6,200 to have it to yourself. Queen Room, twin share: $5,800. Bunk Room, shared: $4,800, the sociable heart of the house.
Who's leading it
Sacha and the crew
Sacha Williamson, SSI Freediving Instructor Trainer, with 26+ years of professional ocean work across 45 countries, including Pacific projects. The Pacific is where Sacha learned to dive.
Not crowded, not commercial: an island of about 1,600 people, and one of the world's first Dark Sky nations. Read the full Niue guide.
What to sort yourself
Flights and insurance are yours to book, so you can use points or find the best fare.
How to book
A $500 deposit holds your room
1. Choose your room and pay the deposit. 2. We set up a one-on-one Zoom and shape the week around your goals. Add an SSI course or scuba if you like. 3. The balance is due 10 weeks before you go.
Commonly asked questions
Will we definitely see whales?
We can't promise the ocean. We go in the migration window with licensed operators, which gives you the best chance you'll get.
Do I need to be a freediver?
No. You need a general level of fitness and to be a confident swimmer. Everything in the water is coached.
I'm a scuba diver. Is this for me?
Yes. There's a scuba option, and the freediving sessions teach skills that make every scuba diver better.
I'm travelling solo. What are my options?
The Bunk Room ($4,800) is where the friendships get made. Or take the Ocean-View Double all to yourself for $6,200.
What if the weather turns?
This isn't a theme park: we're out in the wild, so we can't promise the marine life, the visibility or the weather. The daily plan moves with the weather and the whales, and the whale swims are optional.
Do I need a visa?
It depends on your passport. Most short-stay visitors don't need one, but get in touch and we'll check for yours.
What if I need to cancel?
Your $500 deposit holds your room and the balance is due 10 weeks before you go. Read the full refund and cancellation policy, or email Sacha with any questions.
Something else? Message us
Where we dive
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