Freediving has been part of Galápagos life since the very first settlers explored its waters. Yet, until recently, formal training for the local community simply didn’t exist.
Since 2017, Ericka—co-founder of Galápagos Blue & Co.—has been bringing that change, offering locals their first real training in the fundamentals of freediving.
In 2018, after becoming a certified instructor, Ericka and fellow co-founder Greg took the mission further: free courses for local guides and passionate ocean lovers. That same year, with the support of Daniel Arias (Educational Director at Molchanovs), the Galápagos welcomed its first-ever AIDA-certified freedivers.
By 2021, with new funding, training expanded to other islands—certifying locals up to AIDA Levels 1 & 2 and growing a dedicated freediving community.
Our vision: With the support of collaborators, we’re building a safer, stronger, and more connected freediving culture in the Galápagos—one that belongs to the people who call these islands home.
