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Pro Dive Cairns' five-day PADI Open Water course: two days of classroom and pool, then a 3-day/2-night liveaboard on the reef with nine dives, including a night dive, and your certification at the end.
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$1,319 AUD
per person · twin share
4.8 from 283 Google reviews
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Most people learn to dive in a quarry. You get to do it on the Great Barrier Reef, which is like learning to drive in something Italian. Pro Dive Cairns' five-day PADI Open Water course is the most popular learn-to-dive format in Cairns for exactly that reason. The structure: two days of classroom and pool training in town, then three days and two nights living aboard on the outer reef, logging nine dives, four training dives to qualify, then five pleasure dives including a night dive to celebrate. Everything is included: PADI certification and manual, log book, all equipment down to the dive computer, wetsuit and torch, dive insurance, corrective-lens masks if needed, Cairns city transfers, and fully catered buffet meals aboard with unlimited tea, coffee and Milo. Budget for the environmental management charge and fuel surcharge at check-in (about $120 combined). You arrive a swimmer; you leave a certified diver with a Great Barrier Reef log book.
1 Full PADI Open Water certification
2 3-day liveaboard on the reef
3 Nine dives including a night dive
4 All gear, even dive computer
5 Meals and city transfers included
6 Dive insurance included
PRIOR TO LIVEABOARD (2 DAYS POOL AND THEORY) DAY 1 OF POOL AND THEORY 08:00Hotel transfer available Complimentary from Cairns city accommodation. Costs apply for Northern Beaches transfers. 08:30Check in at Pro Dive Cairns training centre Located at 116 Spence Street 08:45Course starts Academic training begins in the classroom 12:30Lunch break Lunch is not provided 13:30 Pool training Practical dive training begins 17:30 Hotel return transfer Complimentary return transfer to Cairns city accommodation. Costs apply for Northern Beaches transfers. DAY 2 OF POOL & THEORY 07:30Hotel transfer available Complimentary from Cairns city accommodation. Costs apply for Northern Beaches transfers. 08:00 Equipment briefing Hands-on scuba gear walk through with instructors. 09:15Pool training 12:00 Lunch break (Lunch is not provided) 13:15 Gear up at the Pro Dive Cairns retail shop Dive equipment fitting for the liveaboard trip 14:00 Final academic training session and exam 17:45Hotel return transfer Complimentary return transfer to Cairns city accommodation. Costs apply for Northern Beaches transfers. LIVEABOARD - 1ST DAY 06:00 Hotel transfer available Complimentary from Cairns city accommodation. Costs apply for Northern Beaches transfers. 06:20Check in at Pro Dive Cairns retail shop Corner of Shields & Grafton Streets, Cairns City 07:00Depart Cairns for 3 days & 2 nights on The Great Barrier Reef Light breakfast served on board 11:00Dive 1: Training dive On the Great Barrier Reef 12:30 Lunch 14:30 Dive 2: Training dive 16:30 Snorkelling opportunity 18:00 Dinner 19:45 Watch the night dive Watch the certified divers participating in the first night dive of the trip
07:00 Dive 3: Training dive First dive of the day, before breakfast 09:00 Breakfast 11:15 Dive 4: Training dive This will be the last training dive for Open Water certification 12:45 Lunch 15:15 Dive 5 First dive as a newly certified scuba diver 17:45 Dinner 19:30 Dive 6: Night dive Guided night dive experience for all newly certified divers
06:30 Dive 7 Your first dive of the day – a sunrise dive to enjoy the reef waking up. 07:30 Breakfast 09:00 Dive 8 11:00 Dive 9 The last dive of the trip, finished by 1200 noon 12:00 Lunch Last lunch on The Great Barrier Reef before returning to Cairns 16:00 Hotel return transfer Complimentary return transfer to Cairns city accommodation. Costs apply for Northern Beaches transfers. 19:30 Farewell dinner (optional, additional cost) Join fellow passengers and crew at a local restaurant for a farewell dinner
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Verified reviews of the vetted operator who runs this tour on the ground.
The operator's track record
"The dive site were excellent. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience."
Ben S
Verified traveller
"Diving was a luxury, as the equipment would be arranged for you, and the gear was all in good condition. The food was great, and the dive sites were even better."
Roam15168122648
Verified traveller
Verified traveller reviews · shown as excerpts.
Great Barrier Reef
8 Hours
4.7 (832 · Google)
A full day on the outer Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas: up to three sites across Agincourt and Opal Reefs on a luxury catamaran, with PADI dive options, buffet lunch and coral gardens busy with turtles and rays.
Great Barrier Reef
4 Hours
4.9 (868 · TripAdvisor)
Ocean Safari's fast morning run from Cape Tribulation to Mackay Reef: two snorkel sites, two hours in the water, personalised instruction, and turtles that call this stretch of the reef home. Half a day, fully spent.
Great Barrier Reef
2 Days
4.7 (465 · Google)
Two days and a night on Reef Encounter, Cairns' floating reef hotel: up to six dives across the outer Great Barrier Reef including a night dive, with all meals, gear and reef levies included. Certified divers only.
From
$1319
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