Deep Week Malaysia
What is Deep Week?
Deep Week is a week long freediving course set in some of the world’s top freediving destinations. It brings the best freedivers, instructors and experts to one spectacular location for 7 full days of diving, workshops, yoga, meditation and community building!
Most accurately described as an underwater freediving festival, it’s the best place to make life-long freediving friends while getting a premier freediving education. There is truly no other event like it in the world, it’s a one-of-a-kind experience.
The training at Deep Week is suitable for all levels. We get all skill levels joining the event from absolute beginners, to freediving instructors wanting to up-skill, all the way up to freediving competitors seeking to improve their knowledge and technique.
Freediving in Malaysia
Deep Week Malaysia marks our first time checking out this absolutely stunning part of the world that divers have known for years to have incredible conditions, chances for epic marine life interactions and, as Brandon will tell you, some pretty incredible food as well! This adventure is based in the town of Semporna where we’ll be diving among the various small islands that dot the coast lines of the east coast.
This region is part of the Coral Triangle — one of the most biologically rich marine ecosystems in the world. That means vibrant reefs, healthy coral systems, schooling fish, and the occasional surprise encounter with larger pelagic species.
And yes — whale sharks are known to pass through these waters!
We have 50-60m of depth for our line training sessions before we then have the option to either head back to town or stay out a bit longer and check some of the various reefs and wrecks in the area!
We are so excited to be heading to Malaysia this year and think this is going to fill pretty quickly so book your spot soon!
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The Workshops
Each Deep Week is different and offers interesting and unique workshops but there are always a few classics as well. Brandon, along with other guest instructors, will be leading a variety of interesting and fun workshops every day and be open to questions. They are a great opportunity to learn from some of the best divers and freediving educators in the world and one of the things that makes Deep Week such an amazing and unique experience.
If you arent feeling any of the workshops on the day, not to worry! Some of the days after the line sessions we will have an opportunity to stay out and check out the various reefs and wrecks in the area!
We will have a full list of workshops and wrecks for you at Deep Week, so come prepared to dive and learn your heart out!
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The Activities
Deep Week has a packed schedule if you want to hit every activity! We dive every day (except for rest day on Wednesday), pool sessions, freediving theory sessions and workshops, all of which will ensure you cover all of your course requirements, if you decide you want a freediving certification.
We also offer sunrise yoga and meditation sessions each day and often have family dinners where we all get together and eat, enjoy each others company and talk about freediving (duh!)
During the rest day, there are still plenty of fun things to do. If you fancy a hike, an adventure to a fish market or want to a day trip to some of the other islands, you can check out Trip Advisor and see what the options are! There are a lot!
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The Schedule
8am: Sunrise Yoga
9am: Boats Depart The Harbor
9:30am - 12:30pm: Dive session
12:30pm - 3pm: Optional fun diving (not all days)
2pm - 3:30pm: Workshop
3:30pm - 5:00pm: Workshop
5:30pm - 6:00pm: Meditation
6pm: Family Dinner In Town!
Staying in Semporna
Semporna itself is a well developed town, used to catering to a vibrant scuba diving community. Excellent restaurants, cafes and bars are all over the place along with plenty of fish markets for exploring and checking out.
The main event hotel will be Buwan Dive Resort which will be our base of operations for the week and is our home away from home while in Semporna!
We will hold our theory and workshops there as well as use it for our confined water sessions where they have a nice roped off area usually used for scuba divers. It also has a great restaurant along with fantastic breakfast options!
We recommend flying into Tawau Airport (TWU) where Buwan Dive Resort can help you organize a ride into town. The ride is about an hour and a half!
Because Buwan Dive Resort is a little bit out from the main town area, we are going to be organizing taxi boats to go back and forth between the resort and the town jettys free of charge for you! This will be posted in the event guide.
There are other options for bookings in the area and, if you decide not to stay at Buwan Dive Resort, that is totally okay! You can check out local B&Bs or hotels on AirBnB, Booking.com or your booking platform of choice. We suggest you arrive no later than the afternoon of the 6th since we start diving the morning of the 7th. We also suggest that you depart on the 15th because we throw a banger after party the night of the 14th!
Getting Around
Because Buwan Dive Resort is a little bit out from the main town area, we are going to be organizing taxi boats to go back and forth between the resort and the town jettys free of charge for you! You will get the taxi schedule as we get a bit closer to the event!
In the morning on dive days, if you aren’t staying at the resort, we will also pick up at the Jetty in town near the Seafast Resort so no need to get a ride over in the morning! The hotel is your contact for your accommodation. We do not book accommodations for you!
Meet Your Host
Brandon Reed is the Freediving Family’s Director of Education, static fanatic, Freediving Commentator, Molchanovs Instructor Trainer, and unofficial Deep Daddy, on top of generally being an avid goof ball! You can find him during Deep Week leading equalization workshops, ranting about how awesome static is, and generally just vibing!
Our Special Guest:
Thibault Guignes
We’re incredibly excited to announce that 11x French Record Holder Thibault Guignes will be joining us at Deep Week Malaysia this year!
Thibault is not only a 130m diver, but is also one of the world’s most respected freediving educators, having helped to write and create the Molchanovs Education curriculum.
This is an incredible opportunity to learn from a top athlete as well as one of the sport’s best educators.
Certifications
During the 8 days you'll be able to take any level of Molchanovs freediving courses that you like!
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First time? If this is your first taking a freediving course, you'll be able to sign in for your Wave 1! Easy!
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If you have taken your Wave 1 course before or equivalent, you'll be able to take your Wave 2 course and start your Wave 3 course.
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If you have taken your Wave 2 course or equivalent, then you'll be able to take your full Wave 3 course.
Pricing
Event dates: Nov 7 - 14, 2026
Early bird booking price:
$1,590AUD
(~$1,120 USD)
Please note the cost of the event will return to $1,690 AUD (~$1,190 USD) after Sept 7, 2026.
$450 AUD
(~$320 USD)
The cost of the event is $1,690 AUD but we are offering an early bird special of $1,590 AUD until Sept 7.
The price includes all training and certification costs but does not include any accommodation, travel, meals or gear hire.
To ensure your booking is confirmed, please provide a $450 AUD non-refundable deposit. The remaining amount can be paid 8 weeks prior to Deep Week. Your transaction is secure. Terms of Service.FAQs
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Of course! If you are just getting started in your Freediving journey, we offer Wave 1 courses which are beginner courses. You will learn all the basics of this sport, physiology, safety, and equalization.
Most importantly, you will have a whole week to practice your skills and get more comfortable in the water. No rushing through a 2-day course. Get ready to immerse yourself in Freediving with us!
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All of our courses are Molchanovs Courses.
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The price includes all workshops, training and certification costs.
Staff, set-up and facilities to run the event along with scheduled taxi boat costs are covered by your ticket.
It also includes an event guide with all the information you need to book your own accommodation, and general suggestions to make this week an unforgettable one.
Deep Week does not include accommodation, travel expenses, visa fees, COVID tests, meals or gear hire.
We are also not responsible for how you get to the location. It’s up to you to ensure you have met all the entry requirements of the country, depending on your circumstances. We are unable to provide individual or country-specific advice or assistance.
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We are unable to issue cash refunds.
For any circumstances that prevent you from coming to the event, we can transfer your payment (deposit or full payment) to a future event if you give us at least 8 weeks notice before the start of the event. If you cancel within 8 weeks of the event beginning, there is a cancellation fee equal to the event deposit.
If you cancel within 3 weeks of the event starting, your full payment is non-refundable and non-transferrable.
For more info, check our terms of service listed below in the footer of this page.
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Unfortunately it’s not included. You can either bring your own gear from home or you will be able to rent gear from Buwan Dive Resort, our local partner in Malaysia. Contact details are available once you sign up! They can rent you everything you might need with the exception of fins freediving. They will have plastic scuba fins to rent if needed.
Weight will be provided to you with a deposit which you will get back at the end of the week when you return the lead!
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The water temperature is 28-29C. A 2mm-3mm wetsuit is perfect.
You can wear the top half of your 3mm suit with leggings or board shorts if the whole wetsuit is too hot. Anything thicker than a 3mm will be too hot.
You can also bring a rash guard, scuba diving wetsuit, triathlon wetsuit or surf wetsuit.
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You can pay an initial deposit to secure your spot and later on pay the remainder balance.
With no deposit, there is no booking confirmed.
As soon as you book in, you will receive an email with a button that says “Pay Remainder Balance”. You can click that button anytime you like.
We ask the full payment to be covered eight weeks before the start of the event.
You can also choose to pay in full.
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PayPal or credit card. Your transaction is securely taken through Strip with Credit Card. Other options are available including cryptocurrency. You can contact Marissa at deepweek@freedivingfamily.com and she can assist you.
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Nothing during Deep Week is compulsory.
If you feel like you need some time to chill and relax by skipping a workshop or want to go out for dinner in Coron Town with a group of friends you made, then by all means do so!