Dahab Apnea is a freediving school located in Marine Garden, Dahab, Egypt. The Red Sea here is warm year-round, with exceptional visibility and shore-accessible deep water — conditions that make Dahab one of the best places in the world to learn freediving.
The school is run by Hussein Odaiba, former AIDA Egypt President, instructor trainer, and AIDA judge. Training happens at Dahab’s best sites: the gradual slopes of Lighthouse Reef and the Blue Hole, a natural sinkhole 10 km north of town that drops beyond 100 metres.
AIDA Courses
We offer the full range of AIDA International courses — from the introductory AIDA 1 pool session all the way through to AIDA master instructor. Each level builds systematically on the last, covering breathing technique, equalisation, rescue skills, and open water diving. All certifications are recognised worldwide and earned through real performance milestones, not just attendance.
Molchanovs Courses
The Molchanovs freediving education system, founded by world-champion freedivers like Alexey Molchanov and Natalia Molchanova, is known for its performance-driven approach. It is unique because it combines traditional in-person courses with a digital “Base Training” platform for continuous development.
Instructor Courses
Take the next step and become a certified freediving instructor. We offer instructor training under both AIDA International and the Molchanovs Wave system, so you can choose the pathway that fits your background and goals. Both programmes emphasise real teaching practice, safety management, and the ability to bring new divers into the sport.
We teach technique, not just certification
Freediving demands patience — with the water, and with yourself. Every course we run focuses on building real skill: correct breathing mechanics, safe equalisation, and confident rescue technique. No one gets rushed through requirements. That’s why 97% of our students successfully complete their course and come back to go deeper.
Our team
Hussein Odaiba
Hussein began his underwater journey as a scuba diving instructor, but his deep passion for the ocean led him to discover freediving — and never look back.
He is widely respected for his immense knowledge and years of experience as a freediving coach to many record-holding athletes, and holds certifications as an Instructor Trainer, AIDA judge, and SSI and EFR Instructor. Having previously served as AIDA Egypt President, Hussein is a recognised authority in safety training and risk minimisation.
Hussein dedicates his expertise to freedivers at every level, developing their physical and mental capabilities to help them reach their personal goals. A true pioneer of freediving in Dahab and across Egypt, he consistently delivers outstanding results and an unmatched depth of proficiency.
Susanne Nather
Susanne first fell in love with Dahab on diving holidays before making it her permanent home in 2001. She began her underwater career as a PADI Divemaster, became a Scuba and Emergency First Response Instructor in 2009, and in 2015 embraced a new challenge — freediving.
She has been a certified Freediving Instructor since July 2018 and an AIDA Judge since 2019.
Susanne’s passion for the underwater world is contagious, and her patience and sense of fun make her a natural teacher who brings out the best in every student.
Hussein is a patient, kind, and very knowledgeable freediving teacher. He takes time to explain the theory and adds stories from his own experiences, making it easy to understand. The water sessions were well structured and I felt safe the whole time — I enjoyed the progress and, as a byproduct, met all the requirements for my AIDA 2 certification. If you’re in Dahab and want to start or improve your freediving in a relaxed and professional way, just ask for Hussein!
— Sabine Timmer
Hussein made me feel completely at ease — his calm, patient presence takes the pressure off and lets you focus on what really matters underwater. His technical feedback is precise and actionable, and he genuinely understands what each individual diver needs to break through their limits safely. By the end of my training, my equalization felt smoother than ever and my mental game reached a new level. Hussein is more than an instructor; he’s the kind of person who makes you fall deeper in love with freediving. Highly recommended.
— Daeha Kim, South Korea
