Beginner Freedive and Spearfishing Retreat | Stradbroke Long Weekend
$1,600.00
Ready to start your spearfishing journey the right way?
This long weekend beginner-friendly retreat on stunning North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) is designed for ocean lovers who want to get competent, confident, and connected – fast.
Whether you’re brand new or have dipped your fins before, you’ll level up your skills with expert guidance, small-group support (8 students max), and a hands-on experience that covers it all: freediving, safe speargun use, species ID, filleting, and even cooking your own catch.
With safe and sheltered diving, chilled island vibes, and no-ego coaching, Straddie is the perfect place to take your first deep breath as a spearo.
Regular Price $1600
Learn. Dive. Eat. Froth.
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Get competent, confident and have fun spearfishing over a long weekend on Straddie
Over a long weekend in our Beginner Spearfishing Course offshore from Brisbane on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah), you will develop the skills, techniques and knowledge to be able to hunt, shoot, dispatch, prepare and cook your own fish with confidence. It's more than a course.
Safe | Fun | No-ego
8 students - 2 Instructors + Assistants
Included in this retreat
- Noob Spearo Beginner Spearfishing Course
- Padi Online Learning (complete prior to retreat)
- Padi Freediver Certification
- Filleting Demonstration (and involvement)
- 3 Way Fish Cookup Involvement (Usually Ceviche, Salt and Vinegar Crumbed Fish and Hot Smoking but often more!)
- Accommodation
- Food
- Transfers on North Stradbroke Island
Not Included
- Alcohol
- Equipment (but hire can be arranged)
- Ferry or barge transport
If you already have some basic competence, you will learn even more and take your spearing to the next level.
Basic Course Outline
Day 1 (Thursday)
- Arrive arvo/early evening on North Stradbroke Island at Dunwich
- Transfer to accommodation and settle in
- Dinner
- Padi Freediver Theory
Day 2 (Friday)
- Complete Padi Freediver Enclosed Water Activities
- Breathing Workshop
- Start Padi Freediver Open Water Activities
- Introduction to Spearguns
- Speargun & Equipment Workshop
- Species ID & Hunting Techniques Workshop
Day 3 (Saturday)
- Complete any remaining Padi Freediver Requirements
- Speargun Target Practice
- Guided spearfishing in buddy pairs
- Catch and Cook Activity (smoking fish, sashimi, ceviche, 99 Spearo Recipes)
Day 4 (Sunday)
- Breakfast and Debrief
- Clean-up and transfers to the ferry mid-morning
About this Beginner Spearfishing Retreat
These events are more than just a course. Participants, Instructors and Assistants all stay together in a large house and often people make friends and dive buddies for life. Together we go on a structured journey designed to help you gradually acquire the skills, confidence and knowledge to begin spearfishing.
The course begins with introductions, a meal and an evening theory session then progresses into the water on day 2. The Padi freediving course is delivered with 100% spearfishing in mind and therefore provides you with confidence in the water, good dive technique and an awareness of safety.
From there, we learn about spearguns, how to use them safely and competently and do a land based exercise followed by target practice in the water. We also learn species identification with a focus on what you are likely to encounter and especially what not to target (no take species).
Healthy spearfishing is always focused on sustainability. One breath, one shot, one fish. We show you how to shoot the fish, dispatch, bleed and gut the fish. We take this a step further and even get you involved in the filleting process, the cooking and we all love the eating part.
If you want to go on a unique learning experience with like minded people, this course might be for you.
Additional information
| Date | Dec 3rd – Dec 6th, 2026 |
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FAQ
- What happens if the weather or water visibility is not diveable?
Most of the course can still be completed and you will be able to come back and finish anything on a later course.
- What if I need to cancel my course last minute?
All deposits are non-refundable due to the careful planning, budgeting, and specialized personnel required for these trips. If you need to reschedule your trip, we require at least 30 days’ notice, and we can place you in a later trip. This notice period allows us the necessary time to reassign spots and keep costs reasonable for everyone.
- I’ve got a 30 second breath hold, I’m extremely nervous about the idea of holding my breath and being able to even do it. Can you help me?
Yes, this is possibly the number 1 feeling communicated to me by people looking to do a course/retreat. We will teach you how to relax, understand your body and unlock your innate abilities. You don’t need to train or learn a magic technique – trust us, our process has been successful with 100+ students and you are more capable than you know!
- What are the Padi Freediver Requirements?
What happens if the weather or water visibility is not diveable?
Most of the course can still be completed and you will be able to come back and finish anything on a later course.
What if I need to cancel my course last minute?
All deposits are non-refundable due to the careful planning, budgeting, and specialized personnel required for these trips. If you need to reschedule your trip, we require at least 30 days’ notice, and we can place you in a later trip. This notice period allows us the necessary time to reassign spots and keep costs reasonable for everyone.
I’ve got a 30 second breath hold, I’m extremely nervous about the idea of holding my breath and being able to even do it. Can you help me?
Yes, this is possibly the number 1 feeling communicated to me by people looking to do a course/retreat. We will teach you how to relax, understand your body and unlock your innate abilities. You don’t need to train or learn a magic technique – trust us, our process has been successful with 100+ students and you are more capable than you know!
What are the Padi Freediver Requirements?
What gear will I need to bring?
Mask, snorkel and fins. Wetsuit (3mm 2 piece is best) or at least rashtop and boardies (in Summer), speargun, float and rigline, weightbelt and weights, dive knife. Some hire equipment is available
I am already certified as a Freediver (either Padi or another agency), do I have to do it again and pay the same?
We can guarantee that we teach the freediving component with spearfishing 100% of the conversation. If you are already qualified, we can give you a merch pack (shirt and seafood cookbook 99 Spearo Recipes) contact shrek@noobspearo.com if you have further questions
Shrek I’m a 10-15m Spearo, is the beginner spearfishing retreat worthwhile for me?
Yes 100%. The retreat will help you fill in any knowledge gaps and provide you with the theory and practical activities to help you be able to look after yourself and your mates better.
With guys/gals like you that come along, we are able to intentionally help you buid skills and knowledge in the areas you need. As a bonus you also get a Level 1 Freediving Certification which is helpful if you need to prove competency/safety knowledge in the future (charters, guided spearfishing etc).
I am a vegetarian/gluten free/other dietary requirement person, do you cater for me?
Yes, mostly! Food is provided and we all share (students and instructors) in food prep, cooking, dishes and cleaning. You will be prompted for dietary requirements and we shop accordingly. We have had pescatarians and people with gluten and or dairy intolerance and made it work!
Why would I do a spearfishing retreat over a cheaper spearfishing course?
These retreats are hard to compare to anything else. During the retreat we do a freediving course, a spearfishing course, learn how to kill, bleed, fillet and cook fish as well as learning ethics and safety that will hold you in good stead for your spearfishing life. I didn’t even mention all the social benefits of going on a learning journey with others. If you are stuck on budget issues then do a simple course and enjoy that too!
How do I get to North Stradbroke Island?
Vehicle and passenger ferries depart from Cleveland all the time. The ferries drop you in Dunwich on North Stradbroke Island and we pick you up and take you to our destination. Generally we will advise times to arrive and pick you up from Dunwich. The passenger ferry costs approximately $20 return. If you are traveling from outside Brisbane, often we can connect you with other students and you can ride share from the airport or public transport is available.
Do girls do these courses or is mostly boys?
One course I had 50/50 split but often the split is more 70-80% blokes, 20-30% ladies. We are welcoming, it is safe and we value and promote no ego, frothy environment. If you are stuck on this and would prefer to do a ladies course/retreat, email me shrek@noobspearo.com and I’ll provide some recommendations.
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