• Overview

Freediving in the Azores islands

Whales, dolphins, rays, sharks explore the Atlantis

Learn or practice freediving in the Azores islands from the beginning. Discover how to approach wildlife privately with a world champion
  • Option : Learn underwater photography with natural light, his specialty
  • A scuba diving and freediving safari on world class sites
  • Guaranteed encounters with whales, dolphins and rays
  • The soothing atmosphere of the archipelago and the warm welcome of the Azoreans, a unique and stunning landscapes
  • A destination off the beaten track, be the pioneers
  • Option : Guaranteed encounters with mako and blue sharks, snorkel or dive in a crystal clear water
  • Accommodation in local guest houses or in boutique hôtels
  • From 1490 €
Freediving in Azores islands Fred Buyle is a freediver explorer and a photographer born in 1972. Since his childhood he has been in contact with the sea, spending several months a year on the family’s sailboat. At the age of 10, he discovers free diving. After years of practice, he becomes scuba diving instructor and started to teach free diving in 1991. He sets his 1st world record in 1995 and then decides to dedicate his life to freediving. He achieves three more world records between 1997 and 2000. In 1999, Frederic passes the100m’s mythical barrier on one breath of air, being the 8th person to do so. In 2002, he starts underwater photography to show the beauty of freediving and the underwater world. Fred comes from an artistic background. His grand grand father was a pioneer of photography in the 1890’, his grand father was a painter and his father an advertising and fashion photographer during the 1960’. His work shows these various influences. To take his pictures and videos Fred uses a simple formula: the water, available light, a camera and one breath of air, nothing more, nothing less. A freediver is able to capture unique moments thanks to his simple equipment and ease of movement. Fred has been taking pictures down to 60m on single breath of air and on remote locations where light logistics makes all the difference. What makes Fred’s photography different from any other underwater photography is his rather zen and minimalistic approach to this media. Concerned by conservation and environmental issues for many years, in 2005 he starts to work with marine biologists around the world to assist them in their field work. He uses his freediving skills to approach the animals and perform tasks such as acoustic and satellite tagging or DNA sampling. Fred collaborated with international teams to provide them his practical knowledge and his extensive experience in the water with large marine life. During these missions, Fred documents the field work to contribute to conservation on a larger scale through talks and conferences. Numerous NGO’s are using his material for their conservation campaigns. His approach to conservation pushes forward the concept of positive imagery versus the catastrophism widely used in the media nowadays. Fred’s work has been published in Apnea, Chocs, Daily Mail, Diver, Diver Japan, Dyking, L’Equipe Magazine, ESPN The Magazine, Focus, Geo, Hawaii Skin Diver, Melange, Men’s Health, National Geographic, New Look, The New York Times, Océans, Ocean Geographic, Outside, Paris Match, Plongeurs International, Der Spiegel, Thalassa, The Telegraph, the Times, Unterwasser amongst others Corporate work for IWC Shaffausen, Hamilton Watches, Red Bull, Tahiti Tourisme, Hermes, Decathlon, Mares, Ulysse Nardin, Nikon

Discover our other freediving trips

https://www.sealadventures.fr/whales-dolphins-and-trek-in-the-azores-archipelago/?lang=en

Azores tourism board