The Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel, a rejuvenated 19th-century architectural gem on Nice’s seafront, invites travellers to leave behind their scuba tanks and explore beneath the waves with the new “World of Silence” experience.
Led by Arthur Guérin-Boëri, the legendary French free-diver, five-time world champion, world record holder, and star of the documentary “Sunny Boy,” this half-day free-diving lesson offers a unique way to experience the French Riviera by escaping the noise, embracing the silence, and redefining one’s limits.
The day begins on the soft sands of Passable Beach in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, just east of Nice, where breathing and relaxation tutorials prepare divers for the underwater adventure. This requires skills such as breath control, equalisation techniques, and mindfulness, all taught through an accessible method developed by Arthur Guérin-Boëri throughout his athletic career. After exploring the silent world beneath the waves under Arthur’s expert guidance, swimmers will emerge with new confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
Back at the hotel, to counterbalance the adrenaline rush of their aquatic adventure, guests can unwind with the Ocean Wellness Ritual at the Anantara Spa. Using Thalion products inspired by the sea, this multisensory treatment includes a fragrant scrub, a personalised massage, and a nourishing body mask with a carefully calibrated blend of minerals, vitamins, and amino acids.
“Although breath control is an important aspect of the experience, it is just one element of free-diving. For me, it’s mainly about connecting with the heartbeat of the ocean,” explained Arthur Guérin-Boëri. “As divers gain confidence to venture deeper and stay submerged for longer periods, they seamlessly integrate into the underwater environment, creating truly magical encounters with marine life while minimising their impact.”
The half-day “World of Silence” free-diving experience starts from €1,400 per person, €1,700 for two people, with group dives available for up to four people.
