Freediving Family Expedition:
Freediving & Culture in Jeju: An All-Women’s Experience (8 Spots Total)
What Are Freediving Family Expeditions?
Our expeditions are a chance to explore some of the most incredible underwater destinations on the planet alongside a community of adventurous, ocean-loving humans who are just as obsessed with freediving as you are. Think breathtaking dive sites, inquisitive marine life, local food, spontaneous adventures, and the kind of memories that somehow only happen when you throw a bunch of freedivers together in a beautiful part of the world.
While our mailing list and past students get first access to registrations, many of our expeditions are also open to the wider freediving community — so whether you’ve trained with us before or are joining us for the first time, you’re invited to come dive, explore, and experience it all with us.
But this one is special as it’s a trip designed by women, for women. 🫶
What Awaits You in Jeju
Guided ocean sessions along Jeju’s volcanic coastline including line diving and fun diving locations filled with soft corals and marine life!
Waterfall hikes through lush, dramatic landscapes
Traditional Jjimjilbang soaks (think Japanese Onsens!)
Tasting our way through Jeju’s delicacies - spoiler: lot’s of fresh seafood!
Cultural experiences centered around the legacy of the Haenyeo
An island shaped by women of the sea.
At the real heart of this all-women’s experience is the opportunity to learn about the Haenyeo - legendary women freedivers whose lives have been shaped by the sea, and whose legacy continues to inspire generations of ocean women today.
For generations, they have supported their families and communities in Jeju through collecting shellfish, seaweed, and other marine resources, often becoming the primary breadwinners.
They represent resilience, independence, and a deep respect for the ocean. Their practices are rooted in sustainability and tradition, with knowledge passed down from mother to daughter - making them a powerful symbol of female strength and cultural heritage on Jeju Island.
And for this 6 day, 5 night adventure we’ll be looking to fully immerse ourselves in this cultural essence.
We’ll spend our days diving along Jeju’s rugged coastline, exploring its volcanic landscapes, and learning about this incredible group of women, while learning about ourselves.
There’s only room for 8 sea-sisters on this intimate adventure so if you’re craving some feminine energy then read on!
While the essence of the Haenyeo are at the heart of this experience, it’s important to us to approach their world with respect so we’d like to set some realistic expectations for this experience.
The Haenyeo are working women who take immense pride in their craft and traditions. They do not commercialize their work for tourism, which means we cannot guarantee the opportunity to dive alongside them.
Instead, we’ll aim to connect with the magic of the Heanyeo in a different, but no less authentic, way: including exploring local markets where they sell their daily catch, visiting the Haenyeo Museum, and observing them in the water from a respectful distance.
If the opportunity arises, we may also have the chance to connect more personally, either by sharing a meal with them or even sharing the water if we’re really lucky but this trip is really about immersing ourselves in their culture rather than disrupting it!
Experiencing the Haenyeo.
Where are we staying?
Our home for the week is directly on the sea near our dive sites and a short drive from town!
We’ll be sharing this 6 bedroom home (which yes, means we’ll have shared rooms but our own beds!) equipped with a full kitchen, a huge yard, a BBQ and plenty of space to connect. 🩵
We’ll also have a rented van throughout the week to get us to all of our activities so no need to worry about transport!
Who is this trip for?
Sorry guys this one’s for the ladies! Gals if you answer yes to all of the below, then this trip is for you!
Minimum Wave 1 Certification or Equivalent The dive sites are less than 15m but the sites in Jeju are also prone to current and changing conditions so prior freediving experience is mandatory.
You’re ready to come with an open mind and open heart One of the most special things we’ve found in hosting all-women’s trips is the environment it fosters - one rooted in openness, where judgment falls away and space is made for vulnerability, connection, and genuine support among fellow sea-sisters.
Exploring all that Jeju has to offer together
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🌿 Exploratory walks around the island
Wandering through Jeju’s coastal paths, bamboo forests and volcanic landscapes.
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🍜 Eating our way through Korean cuisine
From local markets to shared meals, we’ll experience the depth of Korean cuisine!
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🗿 Museum visits and culture parks
We’ll dive deeper into Jeju’s history, culture, and the traditions that shape life on the island.
Take a peak at all we have planned
* Please note everything is weather dependent and the schedule is flexible.
📅 Oct 5 – Arrival in Jeju
• This will be a relaxed day as everyone arrives in Jeju
• We’ll have dinner together and a briefing at the accommodation
🪸 Oct 6 – Line dive and fun dive!
• In the morning we’ll head out to a local shore diving spot for a short line diving session followed by a fun dive to explore the colorful soft corals that grow here!
• In the afternoon we’ll hit one of the local jimjilbang for a hot soak!
• Over dinner, our local guide will give us a presentation on everything there is to know about Jeju and the Haenyeo!
🐠 Oct 7 – Fun dive and Haenyeo museum!
• We’ll go out on the boats in the morning to explore the fun spots on the local islands in the south!
• In the afternoon we’ll visit the Haenyeo museum
🐚 Oct 8 – Land excursion + Haenyeo market!
• We’ll head out for either a waterfall hike or a coastal hike - whatever the group is keen for!
• In the afternoon we’ll stop by a local market where the Haenyeo sell their catch and grab some goodies for a seafood dinner at home!
🌊 Oct 9– Morning spent watching the Haenyeo dive + sunset picnic on the beach
• We’ll head out in the morning to observe (from land) the Haenyeo heading out to dive
• In the evening we’ll get take-aways and head to the beach for a sunset picnic!
✈️ Oct 10 – Departure day 🥲
• Will drop everyone off at the airport for their onward travel!
What’s included?
✅ What is Included:
• 5x nights accommodation
• All transport for scheduled activities
• All boat and diving costs
• A local guide, including workshops from local divers and Haenyeo
• Entry fees into museums and Jjimjilbangs
❌ What is not included
• Flights to Jeju Island
• Meals or beverages
• Travel insurance
• Personal luxury items, toiletries, etc.
• Diving gear rental (wetsuits, weight belts, etc.)
Meet Your Hosts
This adventure will be guided by Marissa and Pom.
Marissa is Freediving Family’s resident huntress. She has speared for over 6 years and is incredibly passionate about hunting and harvesting!
Pom is our lovely local guide from Korea. She did her Aida 1, 2 and 3 on Jeju and is now an instructor at Deep Week!!
They’re around for any questions or chats! Just shoot Marissa a message at deepweek@freedivingfamily.com.
*Imagery by Sandra at Deep Serenity
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Yes you can! All of our expeditions are first opened to prior event attendees before we open them up to the general public! But after that they are open to anyone who’s keen to come along for an adventure :)
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During our Family Reunions, we don’t offer certifications. You must be at least Wave 1 certified or the equivalent to be able to attend these events!
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Due to the unique nature of the events and how each one is individually planned, we are only able to transfer your deposit to a future Freediving Family Reunion and only if you have requested the deposit to be moved no closer than 8 weeks before the event begins.
In the event that you need to cancel your spot between 8 weeks and 4 weeks of the event starting, we do charge a fee equal to the event deposit. Any balance remaining can be applied to a future Family Reunion.
If you need to cancel within 4 weeks of the event starting, we cannot move your balance to a future event.We cannot issue refunds.
For more info, check our terms of service.
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Gear is not included but can be rented in Jeju from our local partner. Just message in the group chat and Marissa will help you!
Lead will be provided but weight belts will not so please bring your own if you have it! -
The water in the Jeju this time of year is around ~24–25°C (76–77°F). So depending on how cold you get we’d recommend a 3mm-5mm!
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You can pay an initial deposit to secure your spot and 8 weeks before the reunion begins the remaining balance is due.
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”. We ask that if you are booking on within 8 weeks of the event starting, you continue on to pay the remaining balance as soon as possible!
We ask the full payment to be covered eight weeks before the start of the event.
You can also choose to pay in full upon checkout.
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You can pay with a credit or debit card on our website. The payment is securely captured through Stripe. PayPal transfer or crypto are also options. If you would like to pay with PayPal or crypto, please contact Marissa at deepweek@freedivingfamily.com and she can assist you.
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Nothing during the retreat is compulsory.
If you feel like you need some time to chill and relax by skipping a dive session, then by all means do so!
As Brandon always says, this is your vacation and you get to decide how much or little you want to do!
If you do decide to skip an activity, you are not entitled to a partial refund on the event.
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Usually the answer is yes and partners/family members are welcome to join any Freediving Family Reunion, even if they haven’t been to an event.
However, since this is an all-women’s adventure, the partner or family member must be one of the gals! Sorry guys! We promise Brandon has an all-mens trip in the works!
Pricing
This one is coming up quick and we expect it to fill fast!
$550 AUD
Deposit
$2,870 AUD
Full Payment
The price includes accommodation, all transport to scheduled activities, entry fees boat fees and local guide. It does not include flights, meals or diving gear hire. To ensure your booking is confirmed, please provide a $550 AUD non-refundable deposit. The remaining amount can be paid 8 weeks prior to the Family Reunion. Your transaction is secure through Stripe. Terms of Service.