Freediving
at Lake Berryessa
Freediving at Lake Berryessa, aka the "Test Tube". Lake Berryessa is the best place in Northern California for deep freediving training. It is very calm, with no currents or swell. The top layer is warm, with crystal clear water below.
Typical Social Dive Schedule
1pm
1pm
Get ready on shore
1:30pm - 3:30pm
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Freedive
4pm - 6pm
4pm - 6pm
Food and drinks at the Berryessa Gap Winery
Options
- 1Freedive for funBring your own buoy or borrow one of ours. Explore the depths of Lake Berryessa with other freedivers.
- 2Master ClassTake a Level 4 (Master) freediving class with John and Bizo. We will focus on freefall, mouthfill, FRCs, deep safety & rescue, and diving 100+ feet. Class starts at 8am and ends at the same time as the social diving (4pm), followed by food and drinks at the Berryessa Gap winery.
FAQs
Bring mask & snorkel, fins, and a wetsuit. A 7mm wetsuit with hood is always a safe choice, but from April to October a 5mm is more appropriate, and from July to August you can wear a 1-3mm.
Bring swimmers, towel, sunscreen, water, and closed-toed shoes for the path down to the lake.
Bring swimmers, towel, sunscreen, water, and closed-toed shoes for the path down to the lake.
On a borrowed Fins and Foam buoy, you can dive up to 100 feet.
On your own buoy you can dive as deep as your setup allows.
On your own buoy you can dive as deep as your setup allows.
Because this is a deep spot, a lanyard is recommended. You are the safety for the person diving after you. Safety is from the surface unless the diver requests safety at depth. You are free to find someone else to be the diver's safety at depth.
Heat can be a hazard during the summer months. Bring plenty of water to drink on shore.
The path down to the lake is steep. Bring closed-toed shoes. Don't attempt this path if you have an injury or disability which prevents you from climbing up and down a steep slope with the help of a rope.
There is little cellphone reception which will delay calling emergency services in the event of an emergency.
The top layer of the lake has low visibility which means it is recommended to wear a lanyard during your dives.
The path down to the lake is steep. Bring closed-toed shoes. Don't attempt this path if you have an injury or disability which prevents you from climbing up and down a steep slope with the help of a rope.
There is little cellphone reception which will delay calling emergency services in the event of an emergency.
The top layer of the lake has low visibility which means it is recommended to wear a lanyard during your dives.
Questions?
Feel free to message me (John) if it is your first time diving here and you would like help finding the spot, or you want coaching, or if you are not a certified freediver but would still like to join us.
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