A Historic Feat Beneath the Surface
In a moment that stunned both the freediving world and marine biologists alike, Croatian freediver Vitomir Maričić has rewritten the boundaries of human endurance. On June 14, 2025, Maričić held his breath for an astonishing 29 minutes and 3 seconds, officially claiming a new Guinness World Record for the longest voluntary breath-hold.
To put that in perspective, most humans can manage just 30 to 90 seconds, while elite freedivers typically train their way into the 6–10 minute zone. Maričić’s achievement is not only extraordinary—it surpasses the diving durations of many dolphins and even some species of whales.
“This was never just about numbers,” Maričić said after resurfacing. “It’s about showing what the human body can achieve when trained with respect for nature—and reminding us that the oceans we connect with must be protected.”
Credit: The Inertia
How Did He Do It? The Science Behind the Record
Before his attempt, Maričić spent 10 minutes inhaling pure oxygen, a technique permitted under Guinness World Record guidelines for the oxygen-assisted category. This helped saturate his blood with oxygen, essentially giving him a huge physiological “reserve tank.”
This pre-breathing technique is the reason he could stretch far beyond natural thresholds and add nearly five minutes to the previous record. Still, the feat required not just oxygen in his lungs, but also extraordinary control over his body functions—slowing his heart rate, calming his mind, and resisting the overwhelming urge to breathe.
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The Man Behind the Record
Maričić is no stranger to pushing boundaries. Outside of the oxygen-assisted attempts, he has already logged an unaided personal best of 10 minutes and 8 seconds. For reference, the current unaided world record is 11 minutes and 35 seconds, held by Serbian freediver Branko Petrović since 2014.
By pairing his oxygen-assisted achievement with an already elite unaided performance, Maričić has cemented his place among the greatest freedivers in history—and hinted at future attempts to break Petrović’s longstanding record.
Beyond Human Limits: Why It Matters for the Planet
While the headlines celebrate his human achievement, Maričić made it clear his deeper mission was about something bigger: ocean conservation.
“When I dive, I feel a bond with the sea that words can’t describe,” Maričić explained. “I wanted this record to remind people that our planet’s lungs—the oceans—need our breath as much as we need theirs.”
From climate change to plastic pollution, the challenges facing marine ecosystems are immense. By linking his personal triumph to environmental advocacy, Maričić is leveraging his platform to inspire people far beyond the freediving community.
Credit : Novi List
How Does This Compare to Marine Mammals?
The comparison is staggering. Marine mammals are renowned for their ability to hold their breath:
Dolphins: 8–10 minutes on average.
Sperm whales: Around 90 minutes (but these are far larger, oxygen-efficient animals).
Seals: Some species exceed 20 minutes.
For a human—whose biology is not specialized for diving—to sustain 29 minutes, even with oxygen pre-breathing, underscores the incredible adaptability of the human body.
What’s Next for Vitomir Maričić?
After smashing this record, speculation mounts: will Maričić now attempt the unaided breath-hold world record? Given his proven capabilities, it may only be a matter of time before he sets his sights on Petrović’s 2014 milestone.
Yet Maričić’s focus doesn’t appear to rest solely on numbers. Instead, he seems intent on continuing to merge human achievement with environmental awareness. As freediving grows in popularity, Maričić is helping ensure that the sport remains deeply tied to respect for the ocean.
Final Thoughts
Vitomir Maričić’s jaw-dropping 29-minute breath-hold is more than just a Guinness World Record—it’s a reminder of what humans can achieve when discipline, science, and purpose align. By using his platform to advocate for the oceans, Maričić has ensured that his accomplishment will resonate far beyond the freediving community.
As he himself put it:
“Every record is temporary. What lasts is the connection we build—with our oceans, and with each other.”
