What is the difference compared to scuba diving?

Perhaps best answered with a metaphor. You can reach the top of the mountain by foot or cable car—in the end, you’re still enjoying the same view. But the hiker has enjoyed the ascent despite the effort in a completely different way. He also has less time on the peak. Just as the cable car passenger loves being carried upwards and having a great time with little effort, Scuba diving is fun and it is simply nice to remain underwater for a longer amount of time. Freediving certainly is a lot more demanding. The absence of gravity, the freedom of movement, the elegance, the fascination, experiencing the moment as a freediver much more intensively, the meditative state, experiencing oneself, actively controlling one’s mental activity, achieving something in the relaxation that you would not have considered possible. These are the responses you get from many Freedivers.