Emily & Michael Bates
25th Sep to 2nd Oct, 2026
Your typical day
7am: Stretching or pre-breakfast manta ray snorkelling encounter
7:30am: Breakfast
9am: Options for freedive depth line training or fun snorkelling/freediving trip
Noon: Lunch at Uepi
2pm: Snorkelling/fun freedive at local dive sites
7pm: Group dinner
The Experience
Join us at Uepi Island, a remote barrier island, on the edge of the Marovo Lagoon, for unparalleled snorkelling and freediving experiences. Uepi Island has been a marine reserve for four decades and has abundant marine life, from tiny invertebrates to large schools of fish, and pods of marine mammals. Experienced snorkelers and/or freedivers will experience shallow colourful reefs, dramatic reef walls that descend to the ocean depths, caves and swim-throughs, manta ray encounters, WWII plane wreck, and the chance to encounter marine mammals out in the blue.
Relax in beautiful waterfront accommodation, and make this remarkable island your home for the week, with this trip limited to only 12 guests. 2+ snorkelling trips will run each day and freedive training is available to certified freedivers. Freediving certifications are not required, but there is an option to complete it during the trip with an experienced instructor.
Meet Michael
Growing up in Papua New Guinea, Michael is fluent in Melanesian pidgin, has extensive travel and trip-leader experience throughout Melanesia. Now residing in Australia, Michael is also a national champion freediver and has a PhD in oceanography. He’s experienced incredible marine encounters freediving and SCUBA diving, and can’t wait to get back to Uepi Island.
Meet Emily
An experienced freediving instructor and waterwoman, who has worked and played in oceans from the equatorial regions to Antarctica. Emily is an Australian champion freediver and loves seeing her students reach their individual trip goals. She has spent several years researching coral reefs and has unrivalled passion for the marine environment. Emily has led freediving and snorkelling trips previously at Uepi, as well as in Papua New Guinea and the Great Barrier Reef.
Inclusions
Daily freediving and snorkelling activities
Bapita day trip
Luxury waterfront accommodation
All inclusive meals, including breakfast, lunch and buffet dinner
Return flights from Brisbane (connecting Australian domestic flights can be organised upon request)
Use of stand up paddle boards and kayaks
Exclusions
Compulsory travel insurance
Personal equipment
Beverages
Flights - flights to be booked in conjunction with the workshop cost to be advised
Optional Extras
Scuba Diving/fishing/guided bushwalk/massage - arranged at Uepi
Freediving course - level 1 Freediving course can be offered for AUD$250 per person
Accommodation Options & Pricing
Prices Range from $4,860 AUD per person, for a quad share 2, bedroom Beach House, to $7,030 AUD per person for a private Single, King 1 Bedroom Beach House – including 7 nights accomodation and all meals.
