Deepest free dive ever achieved and documented on record
Deep-Sea Divers: Breaking Records in the World of Free Diving
In the world of free diving, athletes are pushing the limits of human endurance as they plunge to depths previously unimaginable. Here are some of the top records in various free diving disciplines, showcasing the incredible feats of these underwater explorers.
No Limit (NLT)
The deepest dive ever recorded in the No Limit category was made by Herbert Nitsch on June 14, 2007, in Greek waters. Diving to a staggering depth of 214 meters (702 feet), Nitsch set a record that still stands today according to the International Association for the Development of Apnea (AIDA).
Variable Weight (VWT)
In the Variable Weight category, the current record holder is yet to be specified, but they achieved a depth of 156 meters (512 feet) on March 28, 2023. This discipline involves gradually increasing weight and then releasing it to ascend.
Constant Weight (CWT)
The record for the deepest dive in the Constant Weight discipline is held by an unspecified diver, who reached a depth of 136 meters (446 feet) on September 29, 2023. This discipline requires divers to dive to depth with a constant weight without assistance.
Constant Weight with Fins (CWTB)
Arnaud Jerald holds the record for the deepest dive in the Constant Weight with Fins category, having reached a depth of 126 meters (413 feet) during the 2025 Vertical Blue competition.
Free Immersion (FIM)
The current record holder for the Free Immersion discipline is yet to be specified, but they achieved a depth of 135 meters (443 feet) on September 27, 2023. Notable free divers like Sayuri Kinoshita and Petar Klovar have also set impressive records in this discipline. Kinoshita set a record of 97 meters (318 feet) in 2018, while Klovar reached 135 meters (443 feet) in 2023.
Constant Weight Without Fins (CNF)
The deepest dive in the Constant Weight Without Fins category is yet to be specified, but the record was set on May 26, 2025.
Mastering the Art of Free Diving
Free diving is a sport that requires rigorous physical and mental training to master specific techniques like Constant Weight, Variable Weight, and Free Immersion. These techniques allow divers to dive to great depths on a single breath of air, relying mainly on their own lungs to explore the depths of the ocean.
Pioneers in the World of Free Diving
Herbert Nitsch, an Austrian free diver, is one of the central figures in the world of free diving. He set numerous records, including the deepest dive on record at 214 meters (702 feet) in the NLT category in 2007. Despite retiring from competitive diving, Nitsch now conducts workshops and gives lectures on free diving.
Loïc Leferme, a member of the early community around AIDA, played a significant role in shaping the rules and protocols of free diving. Tragically, Leferme passed away during a training session in 2007. His contributions to the sport, however, continue to be felt.
Competitive Free Diving: Testing the Limits
Free diving is an intense sport that often leads divers to compete to set depth records, testing the capabilities of the human body. Notable free divers like Natalia Molchanova, Alexey Molchanov, and Alessia Zecchini have all set impressive records in various disciplines. Molchanova held numerous world records before her disappearance in 2015, with her deepest dive being 101 meters (331 feet) in the Constant Weight With Fins (CWT) category.
The deepest free dive on record was to more than 210 meters (689 feet) below the water's surface, showcasing the incredible feats these athletes are capable of achieving.
Sports such as deep-sea diving, specifically free diving, are showcasing the incredible feats of human endurance in the deep seas. Records in various free diving disciplines, like No Limit (NLT), Variable Weight (VWT), Constant Weight (CWT), Constant Weight with Fins (CWTB), Free Immersion (FIM), and Constant Weight Without Fins (CNF), continue to push the limits, with divers plunging to depths previously unimaginable.
