Freediving Retreat in Ecuador
Emotional Mastery & Mindfulness
Freediving Retreat in Ecuador invites you to reconnect with your breath, body, emotions, and the ocean. Over three immersive days in Ayangue, explore guided freediving, conscious breathing, mindfulness, and experiential psychological tools. Discover new ways to relate to fear, uncertainty, and discomfort while cultivating presence, emotional resilience, and a deeper connection with yourself.
Ayangue, Ecuador
3 Days / 2 Nights
Retreat
Free Diving · Meditation · Mental Wellness · Healing Therapies · Nature connection
Standard
The experience
Day by Day
Day 1 Arrival, Preparation & First Immersion
Arrive in Ayangue, meet the team, and settle into the retreat. Begin with an experiential workshop on fear and acceptance, followed by a gradual pool immersion to explore conscious breathing, the aquatic environment, and freediving basics in a safe setting.
Highlights:
– Experiential fear & acceptance workshop
– Guided pool freediving session
– Conscious breathing & water familiarization
Meals included: Dinner
Day 2 The Ocean as a Space for Learning
Begin with conscious breathing, mobility, and preparation before heading by boat to the islet for a guided open-water freediving experience. Return for psychological integration, reflective writing, and afternoon workshops on presence and experiential avoidance.
Highlights:
– Guided open-water freediving experience
– Psychological integration & reflective writing
– Presence and experiential avoidance workshop
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3 Integration & Closing
Start with breathing, warm-up, and body preparation before a second guided ocean experience. Return for integration and a closing ritual to reflect on the retreat and connect your learnings to everyday life, followed by a farewell lunch.
Highlights:
– Second guided open-water experience
– Integration & closing ritual
– Reflection and connection to everyday life
Meals included: Breakfast, and lunch.
Location
& Settings
Ayangue, Santa Elena, Ecuador, is a peaceful coastal village known for its sheltered bay, calm waters, and beautiful marine environment. Located along Ecuador’s Ruta del Spondylus, it offers an ideal setting to disconnect from routine and reconnect with nature, the ocean, and yourself. The retreat takes place in a private house in Cumbres de Ayangue, where participants will stay in shared rooms.
Participants arrive in Ayangue independently. The destination can be reached by road from Guayaquil, with bus and private transportation options available. The nearest major airport is José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil.
Facilitation
Emilia Iturralde – Clinical Psychologist & Group Facilitator
Emilia Iturralde is a clinical psychologist, specialized in mental health, and certified AIDA 1 freediver. She will facilitate the group process throughout the Freediving Retreat in Ecuador, guiding participants through experiential psychological exercises, emotional integration, mindfulness, and conscious breathing practices.
Sebastián Hernández – Freediving Instructor, Safety Diver & Marine Biologist
Sebastián Hernández is an AIDA-certified freediving instructor and safety diver, as well as a marine biologist. He will guide participants through the freediving experiences, ensuring that the water-based activities are conducted progressively and safely.
Included
✔ 2 nights comfortable accommodation in Ayangue
✔ 3 days / 2 nights in Ayangue in shared accommodation at a house in Cumbres de Ayangue
✔ 7 meals
✔ Boat transportation for open-water experiences
✔ Guided freediving experiences in the pool and ocean
✔ Freediving equipment for all activities
✔ Experiential psychological work on intention, values, acceptance, presence, fear, control, and experiential avoidance
✔ Group integration sessions
✔ Breathwork, mindfulness, and relaxation practices
✔ Support from an interdisciplinary team throughout the retreat
✔ Professional photo and audiovisual documentation, including underwater footage
Not Included
✖ Transportation to and from Ayangue
✖ Personal expenses
✖ Any services or activities not specifically mentioned in the inclusions
Note: Participants are responsible for arriving in Ayangue on their own.
Who this retreat is for
✦ People open to personal and emotional growth through experiential psychological tools and group work.
✦ Those who want to develop a different relationship with fear, discomfort, and their emotions.
✦ Participants interested in connecting more deeply with their body, breath, and presence through mindfulness and freediving.
✦ Anyone with basic swimming skills and an openness to actively participate in a supportive group experience.