Breathing underwater feels like magic. This Sea Baptism experience in Formentera’s clear waters is built for first-timers: you learn how to breathe underwater and move with slow, controlled motions. It’s calm, focused, and hands-on, from wetsuit and gear setup to simple underwater exercises.

What I like most is the coaching style. You get instruction on assembling the underwater equipment and then practicing easy skills until your body adapts to the water’s density. I also like that the group stays small (max 6), with instructors who can explain things in several languages, and Fabio is specifically praised for professionalism and dedication.

One drawback to consider: there are no underwater photos or videos included, so plan to rely on your own memories (or ask about options separately if you want keepsakes).

Key highlights

• Small group, max 6: more attention and calmer instruction for nervous beginners
• Learn-by-doing safety skills: equipment setup plus easy underwater exercises
• Breathing control for comfort: slow respiration and movement helps you relax under pressure
• Peace and quiet feeling: serenity as you explore, with bubbles as the only loud sound
• Future scuba course discount: if you want to keep going after this first taste
• Multi-language instruction: English, Italian, Spanish, and French support

Baptism of the Sea in Formentera: your first hour underwater

This is a first-step “sea baptism” style experience based in Spain, using Formentera as the starting point. The overall idea is simple: you don’t need experience to start, because the lesson is designed around teaching your body what to do underwater. You learn how to breathe and how to move like you’re flying, without rushing.

Before anyone puts you anywhere near the water, you’ll meet your instructor and go through the basics. That matters, because the hardest part for most beginners isn’t the water itself. It’s figuring out how your breathing and movement should change when you’re surrounded by water.

I love that the tone of the activity is steady and calming. The goal is not a stunt or a speed session. It’s to help you slow down, adapt, and enjoy the quiet rhythm of being underwater—listening to the silence broken only by bubbles.

Price and value for a $108, 1-hour introduction

At $108 per person for a 1-hour experience, the value comes down to what’s included—and what isn’t.

On the included side, you get:

• underwater equipment
• a wet suit
• instruction focused on breathing underwater
• easy underwater exercises guided for beginners

That package is a big deal because the gear and wetsuit alone would cost you more if you had to rent everything separately. And the instruction isn’t generic. The session is specifically aimed at helping you manage breathing and movement so the underwater experience feels safe and peaceful.

The time is also part of the value. One hour can sound short, but for a first session, it’s usually the right length: long enough to learn key basics, short enough that the focus stays on comfort and correct habits rather than exhaustion.

The main thing to watch for is keepsakes. Underwater photos and videos are not included, so if that’s important to you, budget for it separately.

Orcasub Formentera start point: what your timing depends on

The experience starts at Orcasub Formentera. That’s your key logistics detail, because the rest of the session runs from there.

The schedule is flexible by starting times, but the total experience time you’re planning for is about 1 hour. For first-timers, it helps to show up with a calm head. You’ll need a little time to get suited up and get comfortable with the equipment before you practice underwater.

A small-group format (limited to 6) also affects your flow. It usually means you won’t be rushed through the lesson, and the instructor can correct issues quickly—especially with beginners who may feel clumsy at first.

Before the water: wetsuit, equipment setup, and beginner exercises

This activity follows a very “learn the steps in order” flow. After meeting your instructor, you’ll learn how to assemble the underwater equipment and how to wear the wet suit properly. That step is more important than it sounds. When your gear is set up correctly, you can focus on breathing and movement instead of fighting discomfort.

Next comes the practice phase. You’ll do easy underwater exercises designed to teach the safety and calm you’ll rely on once you’re exploring. The instruction focuses on:

• breathing underwater properly
• moving slowly
• adjusting to how water changes your body’s feel

One of the best practical takeaways is the emphasis on controlling respiration. When you slow down your breathing and movement, your body adapts more naturally to the water’s increased density. The instructor isn’t just telling you what to do—they’re guiding the pace so you don’t panic or rush.

Learning to breathe underwater and move like flying

This is the heart of the experience, and it’s where beginners often go from “scary” to “actually peaceful.”

The plan is to teach you to breathe underwater while keeping your movements smooth and slow. The phrase move as if you were flying fits the experience because it encourages you to think in floating, not in thrashing.

What you’re really learning is a rhythm:

• breathe calmly
• move with intention
• pause and reset when needed

You’ll also get the mental shift that comes from doing it with support. Instead of trying to figure it out alone, your instructor coaches you through the adjustments until the experience starts to feel natural.

If you’re the type who worries about doing everything perfectly, this approach is reassuring. The lesson is about learning, not proving. It’s built so you can settle into the underwater feeling and let your breathing become part of that calm routine.

The underwater experience: peace, serenity, and bubbles

Once you’re in, the experience centers on a serene exploration. You’ll enjoy that unusual underwater calm—the feeling of quiet and space—while listening to the silence only broken by the sound of your bubbles.

That detail matters because it’s often the emotional turning point. In the shallow moments of an intro session, people typically notice two things first:

• the underwater world feels different from what they imagined
• their own breathing becomes the main soundtrack

Because the exercises are easy and guided, you’re not stuck in constant effort mode. Instead, you get to balance practice with exploration. That combination helps you understand the basics without turning the session into one long workout.

The one caution is expectation-setting. It’s an intro session, not a long underwater journey. With only 1 hour, the goal is to teach the basics clearly and safely, not to cover every possible underwater sight in detail.

Small group coaching (max 6) and the Fabio effect

A lot of intro activities feel crowded and rushed. This one doesn’t, because the group is capped at 6 participants, and that changes the experience.

In a small group, instructors can:

• explain steps more clearly when someone is unsure
• offer quick corrections before a problem grows
• check in on your calm and comfort level

One of the standout themes tied to the teaching team is Fabio. He’s praised for professionalism and dedication, and the overall guidance style is described as thorough and supportive, with instructors helping with everything.

Even if you don’t speak the instructor’s main language perfectly, the team supports English, Italian, Spanish, and French. That reduces the chance of confusion, which is the last thing you want when you’re learning something new underwater.

Who should book this (and who should skip it)

This sea baptism is meant for people who want a fun, safe intro. It’s also suitable for many ages, but there’s a hard line: it’s not suitable for children under 8.

Health matters here. The activity is not recommended for anyone suffering from:

• lung diseases
• heart diseases
• ear diseases
• high blood pressure

If any of those apply, you should treat this as a firm no unless a medical professional clears you for underwater exposure and pressure-related activities. It’s not about courage. It’s about safety.

If you’re generally healthy and you want your first taste of underwater breathing and movement, this format is a smart starting point. It’s also a good option if you’re curious but unsure whether you’ll want to keep going later. There’s even a discount on a scuba course if you decide to enroll after this experience.

What to bring for Orcasub: keep it simple

The packing list is straightforward:

• swimwear
• a change of clothes
• a towel

I like that you don’t need to guess at extra gear. You’re provided with the underwater equipment and wet suit, so you can keep your own load light.

A practical tip: wear something you’re happy to change out of quickly afterward. After a wetsuit session, comfort matters more than style.

Photos, videos, and the value of planning your memories

Underwater photos and videos are not included. That’s the one logistical detail that can affect your satisfaction.

If you want underwater images, you’ll need to handle it separately. If you don’t care about photos, you’ll probably love the experience even more because you won’t spend your attention thinking about cameras or poses.

Either way, mentally prepare for the fact that your payoff is the feeling and the learning. You’ll come away understanding breathing control and movement habits—exactly what you’d want from an intro session.

Booking recommendation: should you do this sea baptism?

Book it if:

• you want your first intro to underwater breathing and movement in a small-group setting
• you prefer calm, guided learning with easy exercises
• you like the idea of a clean, focused 1-hour experience that teaches real basics
• you want the option of a discount on a scuba course later

Don’t book it if:

• you’re under 8
• you have lung, heart, or ear issues, or high blood pressure
• you strongly want underwater photos or videos included in the price

If you’re unsure, this is the kind of activity where the teaching structure helps you decide fast. You’ll either feel comfortable enough to want more—or you’ll learn what you need before trying anything bigger.

FAQ

How long is the scuba experience?

The duration is 1 hour.

What does it cost per person?

The price is $108 per person.

What’s included, and are photos provided?

Included are underwater equipment, a wet suit, easy underwater exercises, and instruction on how to breathe underwater. Underwater photos and videos are not included.

Where does the experience start?

The starting location is Orcasub Formentera.

What languages does the instructor speak?

The instructor speaks English, Italian, Spanish, and French.

Is there an age limit, and who should avoid it?

It’s not suitable for children under 8. It’s also not recommended for people with lung, heart, or ear diseases, or for anyone with high blood pressure.