You do not need the sea to freedive. The Czech Republic and Slovakia have no coastline, yet Czech freedivers are among the best in the world – they train in pools, flooded quarries and reservoirs. This guide shows where you can train close to home, what to look for when choosing a spot and where diving is not allowed. Conditions, entry rules and opening hours change, so always check them with the operator before you go.
What makes a good freediving spot
- Legal access – many quarries are private property. Dive only where swimming and diving are permitted.
- Depth – 5–10 metres is enough to start, deeper water makes sense once you have training and experience.
- Visibility – it varies greatly with the season and can change from week to week.
- Safe entry and exit – a gentle shore or a jetty is much safer than steep rock.
- Facilities – parking, somewhere to change and ideally a dive centre nearby.
Pools: the best place to start
Most freedivers take their first steps in a pool. The water is warm and calm and you can focus on technique and safety. In Prague, freediving clubs regularly train in the diving pit of the Aquapalace water park. If you want real depth all year round, many Czech freedivers travel to Deepspot in Poland, a 45-metre deep diving pool with warm water, only a few hours’ drive from Prague or Brno.
Flooded quarries in the Czech Republic
Borek quarry near Čáslav
A quarry south of Čáslav with very clear water and a maximum depth of about 30 metres, which makes it suitable for depth training. It is open to the public; divers pay an entry fee and there are facilities for scuba divers, including camping. The deeper side where freedivers usually train has a steep entry.
Žernovka quarry near Prague
Close enough to Prague for an after-work session. The maximum depth is around 16 metres and you need a code for the gate lock to get in.
Bořená Hora quarry near Sedlčany
A popular quarry for swimming and diving with a gentle, recently rebuilt entry into the water. Visibility reaches around 5 metres and there is a sunken helicopter at a depth of about 11 metres. Equipment can be rented on site.
Leštinka quarry near Skuteč
A former granite quarry with terraced walls and a maximum depth of up to 26 metres. Visibility is usually 3–8 metres depending on the season. The quarry is reserved for divers and is not open for recreational swimming.
Řídelov quarry near Telč
A flooded granite quarry surrounded by forest, with a maximum depth of 15 metres and visibility of up to 15 metres at its best. The access road is closed by a barrier, so you walk the last part.
Reservoirs: real depth at home
For deeper training, Czech freedivers organise trips to reservoirs. On the Orlík reservoir, for example, there are places near the dam where the bottom lies at more than 60 metres. Deep reservoirs mean cold water below the thermocline and often limited visibility, so they are only suitable for trained freedivers diving with a buoy, a line and a safety team.
Slovakia
In Slovakia, open-water training is concentrated around dive centres. One example is Lake Guláška in Senec near Bratislava, where a large dive centre has its own training grounds. For current spots and conditions, the best source is local freediving clubs and dive centres.
Where not to dive: Velká Amerika
The spectacular Velká Amerika quarry near Mořina attracts many visitors with its turquoise water, but access to the bottom of the quarry, swimming and diving are all prohibited and violations can be fined. The steep, unsecured walls and falling rock make it genuinely dangerous. Enjoy the view from the lookout points instead.
Seasons and temperature
- Spring – often the best visibility of the year, but water around 10 °C; a thick wetsuit, hood and gloves are a must.
- Summer – warm surface water, but a sharp thermocline a few metres down; below it the water stays cold.
- Autumn – fewer people and stable conditions; the water cools gradually.
In Czech waters a 5–7 mm open-cell freediving suit is the standard, together with neoprene gloves and socks.
Safety first
Never freedive alone, not even in a quarry you know well. Use a buoy and a line in open water – you will find them among our freediving accessories – and follow the one-up, one-down rule. If you are just starting out, read our guide on how to start with freediving and what equipment you really need.
Frequently asked questions
Can I freedive in any flooded quarry?
No. Many quarries are private property or have swimming and diving bans. Always check the rules with the owner or operator before you go.
Where should a beginner start?
In a pool, ideally on a course. Move to open water once you know the basics of breathing, equalisation and safety – and always with a buddy.
How cold is the water in Czech quarries?
The surface can reach over 20 °C in summer, but below the thermocline the water stays cold all year. A thick open-cell suit is essential.
Where can I train deep without the sea?
In deep reservoirs with an organised group, or in a deep pool such as Deepspot in Poland, which offers 45 metres of warm, clear water all year round.
Conclusion
You do not need the sea to become a good freediver. Pools, quarries and reservoirs at home are enough to learn technique, build confidence and go deep – as the success of Czech freedivers shows. Choose a spot where diving is allowed, check the conditions, dress warmly and never dive alone.