What Was the Deepest Free Dive Ever Recorded?

Free diving is an exhilarating sport, both physically and mentally challenging, where athletes descend to incredible depths (measured mainly in meters) on a single breath. Rather than relying on scuba equipment, these divers depend entirely on their own lungs to navigate the ocean's depths.

The deepest free dive ever recorded reached over 210 meters (689 feet) beneath the water's surface.

Mastering advanced free diving techniques, such as Constant Weight, Variable Weight, and Free Immersion, demands intense physical and mental preparation. The goal is to enhance divers' ability to hold their breath for extended periods underwater. Using minimal gear like fins, masks, and weight belts, free diving offers a unique blend of extreme adventure and peaceful connection with the marine environment.

Given the extreme nature of free diving, it's no wonder that divers frequently compete to push depth limits, challenging the human body's boundaries. Below are the 7 deepest recorded dives, highlighting the incredible potential of human endurance and skill.

1. 253 Meters (830 Feet): Herbert Nitsch

In 2012, Herbert Nitsch, an Austrian diver, embarked on a mission in Greek waters to surpass his own previous record. He achieved this feat by diving to an astonishing 253 meters (830 feet). However, the dive encountered complications, leading Nitsch to spend seven days in a coma.

Before Nitsch's 2012 attempt, the International Association for the Development of Apnea (AIDA), the governing body for competitive free diving, had ceased endorsing No Limit dives due to their inherent dangers.

Despite this, Guinness World Records recognizes Nitsch's 253-meter dive as the current world record for No Limit free diving, the most extreme category in the sport.

2. 214 Meters (702 Feet): Herbert Nitsch

Long before his groundbreaking 2012 dive, Nitsch had already secured multiple world records, solidifying his reputation as a legendary free diver.

On June 14, 2007, Nitsch earned his title as the "Deepest Man on Earth" by achieving a No Limit dive to 214 meters (702 feet) in Greek waters, setting a new benchmark at the time.

AIDA still recognizes this dive as the official No Limit free diving record, a discipline that employs a weighted sled for descent and a buoyancy device for ascent.

3. 185 Meters (607 Feet): Herbert Nitsch

In 2007, Nitsch was determined to shatter world records. Aiming to surpass his own previous No Limit free diving record, he plunged to 185 meters (607 feet) in the waters of Greece.

Before dedicating himself to free diving, Nitsch spent 15 years as a commercial pilot. After discovering the sport, he trained extensively in various diving disciplines, including Dynamic With Fins, Dynamic Without Fins, Constant Weight, Constant Weight Without Fins, and Free Immersion, showcasing his versatility beyond the No Limit category.

4. 183 Meters (600 Feet): Herbert Nitsch

A year before reaching 185 meters, Nitsch achieved a dive of 183 meters (600 feet) off Croatia's coast, renowned for its crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine ecosystems.

5. 172 Meters (564 Feet): Herbert Nitsch

In 2005, Nitsch reached a depth of 172 meters (564 feet) in Croatian waters during a No Limit free diving attempt.

After a severe diving accident in 2012, Nitsch took a step back from competitive free diving to focus on recovery. Now fully healed, he continues to engage with the sport through workshops, lectures, and by maintaining his influential presence in the free diving community.

6. 171 Meters (561 Feet): Loïc Leferme

In 2004, French diver Loïc Leferme achieved a depth of 171 meters (561 feet), holding the No Limit free diving world record for a year before Nitsch claimed the title.

Leferme, along with other divers and close friends, was a founding member of the early AIDA community, established in 1992. He played a key role in defining the organization's rules, including diving categories, judging standards, and safety measures.

7. 162 Meters (531.5 Feet): Loïc Leferme

In 2002, Leferme achieved a No Limit free dive to 162 meters (531.5 feet), surpassing the previous world record by 12 meters (39 feet).

Two years later, in an interview with a fellow diver, Leferme described his free diving experience. As quoted by The Guardian, he said, "I focus on equalizing pressure, my eyes are shut, my mask fills with water, and I sense the descent through pressure changes. I feel compressed, crushed, but it’s enjoyable now—it no longer hurts. I hear the sled sliding down the line. It grows colder, then everything turns dark."

In 2007, Leferme tragically passed away during a training session in the French Riviera. He was 36 years old, leaving behind his wife and two children.

5 Other Notable Free Divers and Deep Diving Records

In addition to No Limit free diving, athletes have achieved numerous records across various other disciplines.

1. Alessia Zecchini

Italian free diver Alessia Zecchini holds the women's world record in the Constant Weight With Fins (CWT) category, diving to an impressive 123 meters (404 feet) in 2023.

2. Alexey Molchanov

Russian free diver Alexey Molchanov has established multiple world records in different free diving categories. In 2023, he reached 156 meters (512 feet) in the Variable Weight (VWT) discipline, marking one of his deepest achievements.

3. Petar Klovar

In 2023, Petar Klovar achieved a record in the Free Immersion (FIM) category, a discipline where divers rely on a rope to descend and ascend without fins. His deepest dive in this category reached 135 meters (443 feet).

4. Natalia Molchanova

Natalia Molchanova, an iconic figure in free diving, set multiple world records before her untimely disappearance in 2015. In 2009, she reached 101 meters (331 feet) in the Constant Weight With Fins category, marking one of her most notable achievements.

5. Sayuri Kinoshita

Sayuri Kinoshita, a trailblazing Japanese free diver, established a world record in 2018 in the Free Immersion category by diving to 97 meters (318 feet). Her accomplishments remain a source of inspiration for free divers worldwide.