Exclusive to Diving in Paradise
7 - 12 February, 2027
PLEASE NOTE: The amount payable on this page is your deposit only.
After booking, you will be emailed a copy of the terms and conditions, where you will select your payment method. You can choose to pay the reminder in full or opt to join our fortnightly payment plan.
The Experience
Heron Island is a renowned turtle and migratory bird nursery, with hundreds of thousands emerging from the island every summer. We have planned this freediving retreat to land smack-bang in the middle of the peak biodiversity and species richness window. While the island comes alive with babies, the ocean becomes a marine hotspot with mating spotted eagle rays, mother green turtles and a variety of shark species, attracted by the opportunity to snag an easy meal.
Not only will you be able to walk the island with our animal ecologist Taylor, gaining fun facts about the marine life, Heron Island and ecology… but you’ll also have the opportunity to help protect hatching turtles, guarding them and making their first crawl to the ocean that little bit easier.
We have loads of ocean adventures, guided snorkeling and freediving planned.
Join in on as many guided snorkels to the outer reef as you like, or find a buddy and explore inside the atoll’s reef on your own time.
Across 6 days, you will work to complete your PADI freediving certification for the level you have selected: beginner, advanced or master. Normal weekend freediving courses only offer 1 open water dive. It can be challenging for some, to dive to their goals within that short time. This retreat will give you 2 open water dives with 3 hours on each… loads of time to warm up and smash your depth goals in crystal clear water, with close coaching from freediving instructors Elle and Taylor.
If you are a total rookie, we welcome you! You’ll be learning the ropes (literally) with Taylor.
If you are looking to complete your advanced or master certification, you’ll be learning technical equalisation techniques and other tips to assist you on your mission to the depths with Elle. After the freediving theory session, everyone will have the opportunity to work with both of our instructors at various points.
Elle Power is our mermaid, advanced and master freediving instructor. She is a former teacher who left the world of classroom education to follow her dream of helping others from all walks of life, in and out of the ocean. Also trained in NLP, she is excellent at helping freedivers overcome their mental blocks and brings a soft and nurturing approach to freedive coaching. Elle is the mother-like figure that everyone turns to for support, mindfulness and love.
Taylor McKeown is a competitive freediver and advanced freediving instructor. Formerly an elite swimmer who competed for Australia, Taylor raced for 8 years at a senior level medalling at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games. and World Championships. Outside of freediving, Taylor is a private swim coach, public speaker, snorkel guide and whale swim guide. Her approach to coaching encompasses simplicity, encouraging her students to focus on the process of their dives and speak positively to themselves. Taylor is the ‘commando’ of the retreat, giving a firm push when needed… a reflection of an elite athlete mindset and a compliment to Elle’s coaching style.
Join us for this very special, limited capacity freediving retreat and see why this is our 5th consecutive year returning to Heron Island for yourself.
Inclusions:
Extended PADI freediving course - multiple opportunities to practice static breath-holds and dynamics in the warm, sandy atoll.
PADI online (e-learning) freediving education
Private charters to the outer reef - for depth training and deepwater species encounters
Small group size - get personal freedive coaching from our instructors
Equalisation and breath workshops
Marine education with animal ecologist, Taylor
Daily guided breath-work and meditation
Keynote speaker - goal setting and adapting a driven mindset
Videos of your dives, marine encounters and island adventures.
Ferry transfers to/from Heron Island from Gladstone
5 nights accomodation
Guided snorkel/freediving tour to Heron’s iconic outer reef dive sites
Guided educational island walks
WIFI
Diving in Paradise tote bag, sticker and retreat T-shirt
Special access to a Salt of the Sea discount
Not Included:
Flights/buses to Gladstone
Freediving gear (unless you ask Taylor or Elle very nicely)
Otherwise, wetsuits and weights can be rented from the dive shop.
Mask/snorkel is included from the resort however they are not as comfortable as a higher quality freediving mask, so we recommend BYO.
Lunch and Dinner
Please pack snacks. Unfortunately the restaurant is relatively expensive and we have had issues with orders, wait times and food quality in the past. (lucky we don’t travel for the food, we go to Heron for the beauty, marine life, reef and blue water)
Prices and Accomodation Options:
The price of your retreat depends on your accomodation selection. All rooms are spacious and come with tea and coffee, kettle, fridge, ceiling fans, deck or balcony and a private bathroom.
Forest Home - Private Room
Retreat total price: $4150 ($4000 after deposit) or $500 per fortnight on our payment plan
- For those who enjoy their own space
- 1 queen bed
- Located in the Pisonia forest
Forest Home - Couple Room
Retreat total price: $3380 ($3230 after deposit) or $403.75 per fortnight on our payment plan
- For those who don’t mind sharing a queen bed (couples, siblings or friends)
- 1 queen bed
- Located in the Pisonia forest
Reef Front Apartment - Twin Share
Retreat total price: $3530 ($3380 after deposit) or $422.50 per fortnight on our payment plan
- For those who want to split with someone, but not necessarily share a bed them
- Couples who want accomodation on the beach can also choose this room, it just means you’ll have a bit more space than the Forest Home
- This room comes with 3 beds: 1 queen and 2 singles
- Direct beach access
Reef Front Apartment - Triple Share
Retreat total price: $3223 ($3073 after deposit) or $384.15 per fortnight on our payment plan
- The most budget friendly option
- For those looking to share with friends or others on the retreat
- This room comes with 3 beds: 1 queen and 2 singles
- Direct beach access
Please note: If you select a shared Reef Front Room (twin or triple share), we'll do our best to match you with other guests on the retreat who have chosen the same room type. However, as shared rooms depend on demand, we can't guarantee that a suitable roommate will be available. If we're unable to match you with someone, we'll contact you directly to discuss alternative accommodation options. Please note that these alternatives may incur an additional cost.
Exclusive to Diving in Paradise
7 - 12 February, 2027
PLEASE NOTE: The amount payable on this page is your deposit only.
After booking, you will be emailed a copy of the terms and conditions, where you will select your payment method. You can choose to pay the reminder in full or opt to join our fortnightly payment plan.
The Experience
Heron Island is a renowned turtle and migratory bird nursery, with hundreds of thousands emerging from the island every summer. We have planned this freediving retreat to land smack-bang in the middle of the peak biodiversity and species richness window. While the island comes alive with babies, the ocean becomes a marine hotspot with mating spotted eagle rays, mother green turtles and a variety of shark species, attracted by the opportunity to snag an easy meal.
Not only will you be able to walk the island with our animal ecologist Taylor, gaining fun facts about the marine life, Heron Island and ecology… but you’ll also have the opportunity to help protect hatching turtles, guarding them and making their first crawl to the ocean that little bit easier.
We have loads of ocean adventures, guided snorkeling and freediving planned.
Join in on as many guided snorkels to the outer reef as you like, or find a buddy and explore inside the atoll’s reef on your own time.
Across 6 days, you will work to complete your PADI freediving certification for the level you have selected: beginner, advanced or master. Normal weekend freediving courses only offer 1 open water dive. It can be challenging for some, to dive to their goals within that short time. This retreat will give you 2 open water dives with 3 hours on each… loads of time to warm up and smash your depth goals in crystal clear water, with close coaching from freediving instructors Elle and Taylor.
If you are a total rookie, we welcome you! You’ll be learning the ropes (literally) with Taylor.
If you are looking to complete your advanced or master certification, you’ll be learning technical equalisation techniques and other tips to assist you on your mission to the depths with Elle. After the freediving theory session, everyone will have the opportunity to work with both of our instructors at various points.
Elle Power is our mermaid, advanced and master freediving instructor. She is a former teacher who left the world of classroom education to follow her dream of helping others from all walks of life, in and out of the ocean. Also trained in NLP, she is excellent at helping freedivers overcome their mental blocks and brings a soft and nurturing approach to freedive coaching. Elle is the mother-like figure that everyone turns to for support, mindfulness and love.
Taylor McKeown is a competitive freediver and advanced freediving instructor. Formerly an elite swimmer who competed for Australia, Taylor raced for 8 years at a senior level medalling at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games. and World Championships. Outside of freediving, Taylor is a private swim coach, public speaker, snorkel guide and whale swim guide. Her approach to coaching encompasses simplicity, encouraging her students to focus on the process of their dives and speak positively to themselves. Taylor is the ‘commando’ of the retreat, giving a firm push when needed… a reflection of an elite athlete mindset and a compliment to Elle’s coaching style.
Join us for this very special, limited capacity freediving retreat and see why this is our 5th consecutive year returning to Heron Island for yourself.
Inclusions:
Extended PADI freediving course - multiple opportunities to practice static breath-holds and dynamics in the warm, sandy atoll.
PADI online (e-learning) freediving education
Private charters to the outer reef - for depth training and deepwater species encounters
Small group size - get personal freedive coaching from our instructors
Equalisation and breath workshops
Marine education with animal ecologist, Taylor
Daily guided breath-work and meditation
Keynote speaker - goal setting and adapting a driven mindset
Videos of your dives, marine encounters and island adventures.
Ferry transfers to/from Heron Island from Gladstone
5 nights accomodation
Guided snorkel/freediving tour to Heron’s iconic outer reef dive sites
Guided educational island walks
WIFI
Diving in Paradise tote bag, sticker and retreat T-shirt
Special access to a Salt of the Sea discount
Not Included:
Flights/buses to Gladstone
Freediving gear (unless you ask Taylor or Elle very nicely)
Otherwise, wetsuits and weights can be rented from the dive shop.
Mask/snorkel is included from the resort however they are not as comfortable as a higher quality freediving mask, so we recommend BYO.
Lunch and Dinner
Please pack snacks. Unfortunately the restaurant is relatively expensive and we have had issues with orders, wait times and food quality in the past. (lucky we don’t travel for the food, we go to Heron for the beauty, marine life, reef and blue water)
Prices and Accomodation Options:
The price of your retreat depends on your accomodation selection. All rooms are spacious and come with tea and coffee, kettle, fridge, ceiling fans, deck or balcony and a private bathroom.
Forest Home - Private Room
Retreat total price: $4150 ($4000 after deposit) or $500 per fortnight on our payment plan
- For those who enjoy their own space
- 1 queen bed
- Located in the Pisonia forest
Forest Home - Couple Room
Retreat total price: $3380 ($3230 after deposit) or $403.75 per fortnight on our payment plan
- For those who don’t mind sharing a queen bed (couples, siblings or friends)
- 1 queen bed
- Located in the Pisonia forest
Reef Front Apartment - Twin Share
Retreat total price: $3530 ($3380 after deposit) or $422.50 per fortnight on our payment plan
- For those who want to split with someone, but not necessarily share a bed them
- Couples who want accomodation on the beach can also choose this room, it just means you’ll have a bit more space than the Forest Home
- This room comes with 3 beds: 1 queen and 2 singles
- Direct beach access
Reef Front Apartment - Triple Share
Retreat total price: $3223 ($3073 after deposit) or $384.15 per fortnight on our payment plan
- The most budget friendly option
- For those looking to share with friends or others on the retreat
- This room comes with 3 beds: 1 queen and 2 singles
- Direct beach access
Please note: If you select a shared Reef Front Room (twin or triple share), we'll do our best to match you with other guests on the retreat who have chosen the same room type. However, as shared rooms depend on demand, we can't guarantee that a suitable roommate will be available. If we're unable to match you with someone, we'll contact you directly to discuss alternative accommodation options. Please note that these alternatives may incur an additional cost.
Image 1 of 21
Image 2 of 21
Image 3 of 21
Image 4 of 21
Image 5 of 21
Image 6 of 21
Image 7 of 21
Image 8 of 21
Image 9 of 21
Image 10 of 21
Image 11 of 21
Image 12 of 21
Image 13 of 21
Image 14 of 21
Image 15 of 21
Image 16 of 21
Image 17 of 21
Image 18 of 21
Image 19 of 21
Image 20 of 21
Image 21 of 21