Deep Focus Retreat

An immersive retreat exploring freediving, underwater photography, and modeling in the warm clear waters of Roatan, off the coast of Honduras. We’ll be based in a private villa on the island and spend the week shooting on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest reef system in the world, where shallow sandy gardens drop away into deep blue walls only a short swim from shore.

Join award-winning underwater photographer Brett Stanley and expert freediving instructor David Cobiella, founder of Aquatrek Expeditions, for a focused, small-group experience designed to build confidence, skill, and creative depth in some of the most visually striking underwater environments in the world.

This retreat blends structured training, guided dives, and hands-on creative sessions, giving you the time, support, and space to truly refine your underwater practice.

Location

The Island of Roatan

Roatan sits off the north coast of Honduras in the western Caribbean, and in June the water is warm, calm and usually very clear, which makes it ideal for long sessions without thick wetsuits. The reef starts in the shallows, so we can build skills and shoot modelling work over white sand and coral in just a few feet of water, then move out to the wall where the blue opens up beneath you.

Who Is This Retreat For?

• Underwater models looking to build confidence, control, and portfolio-quality work in natural environments
• Photographers, from beginners to advanced, who want to learn underwater portrait techniques using both natural light and controlled lighting
• Freedivers or complete beginners who want to improve breath-hold, relaxation, and underwater awareness safely
• Creatives and adventurers seeking a focused week of learning, collaboration, and exploration

No previous freediving experience is required. This retreat is about learning, progression, and working together in the water.

What You’ll Learn

Photography & Underwater Modelling

• Underwater portrait photography fundamentals including the gear, mastering your buoyancy, and working with light
• Directing and performing movement underwater with intention and control
• Posing, transitions, and breath timing for clean, expressive imagery
• Working with professional underwater camera housings, lenses, and lighting
• Adapting techniques to changing environment
• Post-processing and image review sessions focused on colour, contrast, and refinement

Freediving & Breathwork

• Progressive freediving instruction
• Breath-hold techniques, relaxation, and mental control
• Efficient underwater movement, body positioning, and streamlining
• Safety protocols including buddy systems, blackout prevention, and rescue fundamentals
• Guided freedives tailored to individual ability levels

Retreat Highlights

Boat Diving: Wrecks & Reef

Multiple days of boat-based diving focused on deeper reef structures and wreck sites.

• Guided boat access to selected wrecks and reef systems
• Open-water freediving techniques including depth control, descent lines, and current awareness
• Underwater photography and modelling sessions in blue water and structured environments
• Emphasis on scale, negative space, and working with ambient ocean light

These days are designed to expand confidence beyond controlled environments and introduce the challenges and creative opportunities of offshore ocean diving.

Shore Diving: Shallow Reef

A slower-paced day of shore-access dives on shallow reef formations.

• Easy-entry shore dives with extended bottom time
• Ideal conditions for relaxed breath-holds, movement work, and repeat photography passes
• Focus on fine control, proximity to reef, and working with texture, light patterns, and marine life
• Excellent environment for refining posing, transitions, and photographer–model communication

These days prioritise practice, comfort, and creative flow, offering a strong contrast to the boat days.

Workshops & Hands-On Training

Our program is designed to be interactive and dynamic, featuring a mix of:

• Freediving and breathwork sessions
• Underwater modeling and movement coaching
• Photography masterclasses and on-location shoots
• One-on-one coaching and feedback sessions
• Editing and post-processing workshops

Each session is designed to build upon the previous one, ensuring that you gain a well-rounded understanding of both freediving and photography.

Guided Freedive Adventures

David Cobiella, through Aquatrek Expeditions, will lead you on expertly curated freediving tours through these most breathtaking underwater locations. With our local guide’s deep knowledge of the area, you will gain exclusive access to some of the best diving spots, where you can practice your freediving skills in safe, controlled, and visually stunning environments.

Wellness & Relaxation

To complement the physical and mental demands of freediving and underwater photography, we incorporate wellness and relaxation sessions into the retreat, including:

• Yoga and breathwork sessions to enhance flexibility, relaxation, and breath control.
• Group discussions and reflection sessions to share experiences, insights, and inspiration with fellow participants.

Small Group Experience

Only 6 spots available!

To ensure an intimate and immersive learning environment, we limit the number of participants. This allows for personalized coaching, ample water time, and a supportive and collaborative atmosphere where you can refine your skills at your own pace.

Reserve your spot early with a deposit to avoid missing out on this one-of-a-kind experience.

Accommodation

For the week we’ll have Casa Coral & Casa Palmera to ourselves. They’re two neighbouring beachfront homes in Sandy Bay, on a long stretch of beach at Tropicana. Between them there are four bedrooms (a mix of private and shared), four bathrooms, a private pool, a screened porch for meals together, and a private dock where we can gather at the end of each day as the sun goes down over the water. The reef is just offshore, so some of our shallow sessions will start with a short walk down to the beach. The homes are a short drive from the airport and only minutes from West End, which keeps the week relaxed without feeling remote.

Both homes have air conditioning, fully equipped kitchens, filtered drinking water and fast fibre internet, making remote work possible for those who need it.

The two shared rooms accommodate three people each, with a queen bed and a set of bunks, where as the private rooms are a king bed. Every room has its own bathroom.

Retreat Schedule

Each day is carefully structured to balance training, adventure, creativity, and relaxation, ensuring a holistic and fulfilling experience. The full itinerary includes:

Day 1

Arrival, welcome session, gear checks, and orientation

Days 2-3

Freedive training and skills practice

Days 4-5

Modeling and photography based skills and shoots.

Days 6-7

A mix of island exploring, photoshoots, and rest.

Day 8

Departure

A more detailed daily itinerary will be shared closer to the retreat.

What’s Included

Everything you need for a focused and comfortable retreat experience is included, allowing you to concentrate fully on training, creativity, and time in the water. Below is a clear outline of what is covered in the retreat fee, and what participants are responsible for arranging separately.

Included

• Shared accommodation during the retreat
• Local ground transportation throughout the retreat
• Daily breakfast
• Lunch and light snacks on dive days
• Guided freediving, photography, and underwater modelling sessions
• On-location coaching and image review sessions

Not Included

• International or domestic flights
• Airport transfers on arrival and departure
• Dinners (Restaurants close by give the group a chance to explore)
• Alcoholic beverages
• Personal freediving or photography gear rental
• Travel insurance and dive insurance (mandatory for all participants)

All participants are responsible for arranging appropriate travel and dive insurance prior to arrival.

Pricing & Registration

Full Retreat Price

$4200 shared/$5000 single occupancy

Early Bird Rate (before Oct 20, 2026)

$3790 shared/$4,600 single occupancy

All prices are in US dollars

To reserve your spot, a 25% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of registration.

Payment Schedule

Deposit (25%) due upon booking
Second payment (25%) due 2 months out
Final payment (50%) due 1 month out

Only 6 spots available! Don’t wait — this retreat will sell out quickly

Finance via Affirm available

Join us for an unforgettable week of freediving, photography, and adventure. Whether you’re looking to develop your skills, push your limits, or simply immerse yourself in the magic of the underwater world, this retreat offers an experience like no other. We can’t wait to share this journey with you at Deep Focus: Freedive and Modelling Retreat!

David Cobiella
An experienced freediving instructor and founder of AquaTrek Expeditions, David is passionate about empowering participants to build confidence and safety underwater.

Brett Stanley
A globally renowned underwater portrait photographer with a unique ability to guide models toward creating unforgettable imagery.

Book Your Spot Today!

With only 6 participants, this retreat offers a highly personalized experience, making it the perfect opportunity to connect, learn, and grow.

Dive into the world of underwater photography & modeling,
and unlock your full potential!