Quick Details
Person
Shared Room
$ 2,500
Person
Private Room
$ 2,850
Women & Whale Sharks Freedive & Yoga Retreat
September 2–7, 2027 | Playa del Carmen, Mexico
A Freedive Girls Experience, powered by Live Free Diving in collaboration with Pranamaya Freediving.
Adventure | Connection | Exploration
Join us for our fifth annual Women & Whale Sharks Retreat in the beautiful Riviera Maya!
Over six days, we’ll swim alongside whale sharks, explore crystal-clear cenotes, practice yoga, experience local Mayan culture, and enjoy some of the best food Mexico has to offer.
But what really makes this trip special? The people.
We’ve spent years exploring this part of Mexico, building relationships with local guides, discovering our favorite places, and bringing together incredible women who share our love for the ocean.
This year, we’re excited to bring the retreat under Freedive Girls, with the same experienced team from Live Free Diving and Pranamaya Freediving.
We believe the people you share the ocean with matter just as much as the places you explore. Our trips are built around good people, professional instruction, mutual respect, and a community where everyone feels welcome.
What’s Included
- 6 days / 5 nights in comfortable accommodations in Playa del Carmen
- 2 private whale shark excursions, including crew gratuities and freshly prepared ceviche
- 2 days of cenote freediving and exploration with professional instructors
- Yoga and breathwork sessions
- A traditional cacao ceremony with a local Mayan practitioner
- Local transportation to scheduled diving activities
- Lunches during excursion days
- Welcome and farewell dinners at local restaurants
- Freediving equipment, if needed
- Underwater photos and videos
- A free piece of Freedive Girls apparel
- A small group of ocean-loving women and plenty of opportunities to explore the Riviera Maya together
Freediving & Certification
This retreat is open to women of different freediving experience levels, but all guests must hold at least a Basic Freediver certification (or equivalent) before arrival.
Not certified yet? No problem! We can help you get certified before the trip, or connect you with a qualified instructor closer to home. Retreat attendees receive 10% off their certification course with Live Free Diving.
Already certified and looking to take the next step? You’ll have the opportunity to work toward your PADI Level 1 Freediver certification during the retreat. A discounted $75 certification fee (50% off) applies upon successful completion.
Our focus is on safe exploration, developing skills, and enjoying the water together. There’s no pressure to reach a certain depth or compete with anyone.
Beyond the Water
There’s so much more to the Riviera Maya than its incredible diving.
Between adventures, we’ll explore local restaurants, enjoy yoga and breathwork, and experience a little of the region’s rich Mayan heritage.
We’ll experience a traditional cacao ceremony led by a local Mayan practitioner, who also offers optional massages and traditional energy cleansing experiences for anyone interested.
And of course, there will be plenty of time to relax, explore Playa del Carmen, and enjoy the company of your fellow Freedive Girls.
The Vibe
This isn’t a party trip, and it’s not an intensive freediving training camp either.
Think early mornings on the water, afternoons exploring or relaxing, great local food, and evenings spent sharing stories with new friends.
We keep our retreats small and personal, with an emphasis on good company, mutual respect, and making sure everyone feels comfortable being themselves.
Accommodations
We’ll be staying in comfortable, modern apartments along Playa del Carmen’s famous 5th Avenue, within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and the beach.
Our apartments offer private living spaces, kitchens, and room options for guests who prefer their own space or want to share with a friend. Our shared accommodations and group living spaces are reserved for the women attending the retreat.
Meet Your Team
Keke | Freedive Girls
Your retreat host and lead instructor, bringing years of freediving experience and a passion for creating welcoming ocean adventures for women.
Live Free Diving
Providing trip planning, professional instruction, safety support, and behind-the-scenes logistics.
Julian & Pranamaya Freediving
Our trusted local partners, joining us for the whale shark excursions and cenote adventures, bringing years of local knowledge and professional freediving experience.
Pricing
$2,500 per person – Shared Room
$2,850 per person – Private Room
A $500 deposit reserves your spot following application approval. Payment plans are available.
Airfare, airport transfers, additional meals and beverages, optional wellness services, and travel insurance are not included.
Ready to Join Us?
Our Women & Whale Sharks Retreat has sold out early every year, so we recommend applying sooner rather than later!
We ask all interested guests to complete a short application before booking. Because we keep our groups small, it’s important to us that everyone shares similar expectations and feels like a good fit for the experience.
We’re not looking for the most experienced freedivers. We’re looking for good people who love the ocean, respect others, and are excited to share an adventure.
Complete your application below to join us in Mexico!
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Live Free Retreat Application
We’re all about good vibes, ocean adventures, and a supportive community. This quick form helps us make sure every guest is on the same page and will be a good fit for the retreat!
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Tentative Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival & Welcome
Arrive in Playa del Carmen, settle into your apartment, and meet your fellow Freedive Girls. We’ll have a trip overview followed by our welcome dinner.Day 2 – Cenote Exploration & Connection
Start the morning with gentle yoga and breathwork, then ease into the retreat exploring some of the Riviera Maya’s most beautiful cenotes. Float, dive, and connect in crystal-clear water surrounded by jungle.Day 3 – Whale Shark Adventure
Set out early for a once-in-a-lifetime experience swimming alongside the gentle giants of the sea. Fresh ceviche on board, then back to shore to rest and recharge.Day 4 – Cenote Line Diving
Back to the cenotes to work on your freediving skills on the line with our instructors — at your own pace, with plenty of time to simply explore and enjoy the water.Day 5 – Whale Shark Adventure, Round Two
One more day on the ocean with the whale sharks! We’ll close the week together with our farewell dinner and a celebration of everything we shared.Day 6 – Departure Day
Check out and head home with a full heart, salty hair, and new lifelong friends.Itinerary may shift with weather and ocean conditions — we’ll always plan around the best days for whale sharks.
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We truly hope you never need to cancel your trip—but we understand that life happens. Please review our cancellation terms carefully before booking.
- A non-refundable deposit of $500 USD is required to reserve your spot.
- Final payment is due 30 days before the retreat start date.
Cancellations:
- 30+ days before the retreat: Your $500 deposit is non-refundable, but any remaining balance can be transferred as a credit (valid for 2 years) toward another Live Free Diving retreat or course.
- 30 days or less before the retreat: No refunds will be issued. We’ll do our best to re-sell your spot—if we’re able to fill your space, your balance (minus a $150 administration fee) can be transferred as a credit valid for 2 years.
- Bookings made within 30 days of departure (for last-minute openings) require full payment, which is non-refundable.
Contact us by email to cancel or inquire about a cancellation.
Please Note:
- We are not responsible for cancellations due to medical, personal, or other unforeseen circumstances.
- We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment in the event of illness, flight changes, or other unexpected issues.
- We are not responsible for any non-refundable air travel or additional costs outside the retreat fee. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance or buying flights that are flexible.
- We highly suggest getting travel insurance through Divers Alert Network to protect your investment in case you have any unforeseen circumstances.
- Participants must follow all rules and regulations required by the Mexican government and charter operator, captain and crew.
BY BOOKING YOUR TRIP ONLINE OR OVER THE PHONE YOU AGREE TO ALL TERMS OF THE RESERVATION.