Atolli

Freediving Atolls

Atolls and accessories for apnea and freediving in PVC-coated polyester: line compartment, YKKzippers, PES side handles, lines, plates, and inner tubes.

Filter and sort

0 selected
0 selected
0 selected
0 selected

0

352,00

Short Removable Flag
Best Divers

Short Removable Flag

€17,00

Long Removable Flag
Best Divers

Long Removable Flag

€22,00

Inner Tube with Valve
Apneautic

Inner Tube with Valve

€56,82

Prorope Rope
Prorope Rope
Prorope Rope
Prorope Rope
Deep Blue

Prorope Rope

€56,00

Star Rope
Star Rope
Deep Blue

Star Rope

€160,50 €149,50

Atolls: Safety and freediving

In freediving, line training requires a fixed, stable, and highly visible surface reference point that the freediver can hold onto before the dive, use to recover energy between breath-holds, and attach ballast for FIM (Free Immersion). This role is fulfilled by the freediving atoll: a storage buoy designed to withstand intensive use in open water and in the pool, with clearly defined structural features that distinguish it from simple diver-down marker buoys intended for spearfishing.

The Atolls category at Deep Blue includes complete atolls, replacement inner tubes, and accessories such as lines, bottom plates, flags, and flag holders. The products available meet the needs of both individual freedivers training on their own and freediving schools and clubs that require rugged, long-lasting equipment for group sessions.


Types of products in the category

The range is divided into three main macro-categories, each with distinct functions within the same activity.

Complete atolls: this is the ready-to-use configuration. They allow the atoll to be inflated immediately and put in the water without purchasing additional components. This type includes the Apneautic models, available in Standard and Large versions, and the C4 Tavolara Buoy, a storage atoll with a construction approach focused on high-quality materials.

Atolls without inner tube and replacement inner tubes: the structures are sold separately. This configuration is intended for users who already own a compatible shell or inner tube and want to replace or add only one of the two parts, or for those who prefer to choose the inner tube independently based on the desired volume and valve.

Atoll accessories: the catalog includes removable diver-down flags in short and long versions (Best Divers) and flag holders compatible with Mares atolls, ropes, and bottom plates. These components allow users to maintain and customize the atolls they already own.

Ropes and bottom line systems for freediving

Bottom lines are among the most technical products in the category. The Star Rope and the Prorope Rope, produced by Deep Blue, are lines designed to withstand the stresses typical of repeated underwater use. Available in multiple length options, they pair with the Mares bottom line plate and the Apneautic bottom line ballast strap, components that stabilize and weight the line in its vertical position during depth dives. These systems are used in depth training and guided freediving disciplines, where the straightness of the descent and the stability of the vertical path depend on the quality and correct ballasting of the rope.

How to choose a freediving atoll

The choice of atoll depends on several technical parameters and the intended use. Here are the main criteria to consider.

Size and buoyancy: the Standard version (600 mm diameter, 45 liters internal volume) is suitable for a single freediver training in FIM or STA (static apnea) without the need to load very heavy ballast. The Large version (700 mm, 70 liters) offers greater buoyancy, suitable for those using significant ballast for neck weight or dynamic ballasting, or for group sessions where several people hold onto the same surface buoy.

Storage compartment: all Apneautic atolls and the C4 Tavolara Buoy are equipped with a central compartment with lid. The compartment volume (10 liters for the Standard version, 16 liters for the Large) determines how much rope can be stored inside: Apneautic atolls are designed to accommodate 10 and 12 mm diameter ropes up to 100 m long. This aspect is important for open-water training at considerable depths.

Inflation valve: the Apneautic inner tube with included valve is compatible with its own atolls, while the Omer inner tube is specific to that brand’s Boa Atoll model. Checking compatibility before purchase is essential to ensure proper sealing and correct inflation pressure.

Portability and transport: the C4 Tavolara Buoy comes with a polyester carry bag, which makes transport easier and protects the buoy between sessions. Once deflated, Apneautic atolls can be folded, but the rigidity of the PVC requires adequate storage space.

Materials and technical features

The products in this category feature construction solutions specifically designed for use in marine environments and in the pool.

Main fabric – PVC-coated polyester: this is the dominant material in Apneautic atolls and in the C4 Tavolara Buoy. The polyester structure provides mechanical strength and dimensional stability, while the PVC coating ensures waterproofing and fast drying of the outer surface. The material does not absorb water, a feature that reduces weight during recovery and transport.

Impregnated nylon reinforcement bands – C4 Tavolara Buoy: the Tavolara incorporates reinforcement bands made of woven nylon impregnated with water-repellent material. These bands absorb mechanical stress at attachment and load-distribution points, such as the D-rings and handle connections.

PES straps and handles: on Apneautic atolls, the side straps and lower strap are made of PES (high-tenacity polyester). These serve as handles for the freediver at the surface, while the lower one is equipped with stainless steel D-rings for connecting ballast.

YKK zippers: YKK zippers are recognized in the industry for their resistance to prolonged use in wet and salty environments.

Drain holes: two circular holes in the lower part of Apneautic atolls allow any water that may have entered the structure to drain quickly, maintaining stable trim and reducing the overall weight of the buoy in the water.

Telescopic diver-down flag: atolls in complete versions or with a specific accessory are compatible with removable diver-down flags. The telescopic system on the C4 Tavolara and the side housing on Apneautic atolls allow the flag to be mounted and removed quickly. The Best Divers flags available in this category are offered in short and long versions, with a removable pole for transport.

Bottom lines: Star Rope and Prorope Rope are built with multi-filament structures specifically selected to resist wear from contact with salt water and to maintain vertical tension without excessive twisting. The line ballast—made with lead elements or strap systems—must ensure the rope remains perpendicular to the surface, a necessary condition for proper free-descent training.

Practical use

Open-water line training: the atoll is anchored to the bottom using a rope and ballast. The freediver holds onto the side handles at the surface to perform recovery breathing and pre-dive preparation, and the descent takes place vertically along the line. The storage compartment holds the coiled rope, which pays out progressively during the descent. This system eliminates the need to hold the rope by hand or rely on external structures, allowing the freediver to focus on the dive.

FIM – Free Immersion: in FIM, the freediver pulls along the line using the hands, both during descent and ascent. The atoll must provide a solid attachment point and enough buoyancy to compensate for the freediver’s weight during recovery. Large models, with internal volume up to 70 liters, are particularly suitable for this type of dive.

Group sessions and freediving schools: in freediving schools and clubs, atolls are used to manage multiple freedivers around the same dive station. Stability in the water and the visibility provided by the diver-down flag are critical factors for group safety.

Pool sessions: some atolls are also used in the pool for DNF (Dynamic No Fins) or DYN training, attaching the buoy to a lane as a reference and recovery point. In this context, zipper durability and stable trim in flat water are key.

Surface signaling: the diver-down flag mounted on the atoll signals the presence of people in the water to surface navigation. The Best Divers flags available as separate accessories allow users to upgrade or replace the flag on atolls from different brands.


Available brands

Apneautic is the most represented brand in this category, with four main references: atolls in Standard versions (600 mm diameter, 200 mm height, 45 liters internal volume, 10 liters storage compartment) and Large versions (700 mm diameter, 230 mm height, 70 liters internal volume, 16 liters storage compartment), available in yellow and red, both complete with inner tube and in shell-only versions. Apneautic also produces the replacement inner tube with valve. The brand has established a significant presence in the freediving sector, with products appreciated by competitive freedivers and freediving schools.

C4 is present with the Tavolara Buoy, an atoll with an 80 cm diameter and 18 cm height, built from 850 gsm PVC with a thickness of 0.7 mm, nylon reinforcement bands, YKK zipper, four side handles, and stainless steel D-rings. The Tavolara is double-chambered and comes with a polyester carry bag and semi-rigid flag included.

Mares is present with the Red Freediving Atoll, a storage atoll for freediving, and with two specific accessories: the atoll flag and the atoll flag holder, modular components compatible with its own models.

Best Divers supplies two models of removable diver-down flags: the short version and the long version, both with a removable pole for easier transport and storage.

 

Conclusion

The Atolls category at Deep Blue covers the needs of those who practice apnea and freediving with a structured approach to line training, from individual open-water sessions to organized activities at freediving schools. The available products stand out for their use of proven technical materials and for a design that takes real-world conditions into account: high buoyancy, fast drainage, spacious storage compartment, and integration with diver-down flags for open-water safety.

Brands such as Apneautic, C4, and Mares offer solutions for different levels of experience and different use contexts, along with the option to purchase separate components for maintaining and customizing the equipment over time.