About Your Trip with Pro Dive Cairns

Ready to become a certified scuba diver? The five-day PADI Open Water course offers the perfect mix of adventure and the chance to explore the stunning Great Barrier Reef. With warm waters, minimal current, and excellent visibility year-round, it’s an ideal spot to learn.

Trip Overview

The course begins with two days of pool and classroom training in Cairns at our five-star PADI centre, featuring a state-of-the-art, four-metre-deep training pool. You’ll master dive theory and essential skills before spending three days aboard a liveaboard on the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Here, you’ll complete four training dives to earn your certification, plus five recreational dives, including a thrilling night dive.

Onboard, enjoy air-conditioned cabins, spacious decks, and catered meals with personalised service in small groups. Departing daily (except Sunday), you’ll stay with the same group and crew throughout, creating lasting connections. After three unforgettable days, reunite for a farewell dinner to celebrate your adventure and lifelong memories.

Pro Dive Cairns offers access to 19 exclusive sites across Flynn, Thetford, Milln, and Pellowe Reefs, home to vibrant marine life such as giant clams, sea turtles, reef sharks, and colourful coral.

+

+

+

+

Highlights

• Pro Dive Cairns PADI 5 Star Career Development Centre with an International reputation for producing quality, professional and value for money dive programs
• 2 Days of quality training at a state-of-the-art facility and dive instructors – Theory is completed using PADI eLearning (online) though still completed in a classroom environment with your Dive Instructor
• Dive program allows for additional fun dives so you can practise your new underwater skills helping you build your confidence
• Experiencing a night dive for the first time
• Dive program offers you early morning dives, midday dives, late afternoon and night dives so you will get to see the Great Barrier Reef over a 24-hour cycle
• Make new friends
• Opportunity to complete additional courses and speciality dives
• Visit several different dive locations over the three days

+

+

+

+

It is recommended to check in and have all your dive/snorkel equipment organised and fill out any necessary paperwork before the morning of your departure. Pro Dive’s retail shop is located on the corner of Grafton and Shields streets (Cairns City). The shop is open 7 days a week, from9:30am to 7:00pm.

Days 1 & 2 – Pool & Theory at Cairns Training Centre

Day 1: Academic & Pool Training
8:00 Complimentary hotel transfer
Available from Cairns city and Northern Beaches hotels/hostels

8:30 Check in at Pro Dive Cairns training centre
Located at 116 Spence Street

8:45 Course starts
Academic training begins in the classroom – All theory is now done via the PADI eLearning online system. You will have access to your eLearning account to complete your required modules prior to starting your dive course. Students can complete the modules during the allotted time on Day 1 and 2 of the course with their instructor to discuss any questions. You will need to have with you a Mobile Phone, Laptop or iPad to access your PADI eLearning.

12:30 Lunch break
Lunch is not provided

13:30 Pool training
Practical dive training begins

17:30 Complimentary return transfer
Return transfer to your accommodation

Day 2

7:30 Complimentary hotel transfer
Available from Cairns city and Northern Beaches hotels/hostels

08:00 Equipment briefing
Hands-on scuba gear walk through with instructors.

9:15 Pool 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

17:45 Complimentary return transfer
Return transfer to your accommodation

What to bring for day 1 and 2

• Swimwear, Towel, Marine safe sunscreen
• Money for lunch
• Dive medical if required (please contact us if you are not sure)
• Passport or Australian driver’s licence

Day 3

6:00 Complimentary hotel transfer
Available from Cairns city and Northern Beaches hotels/hostels

6:20 Check in at Pro Dive Cairns retail shop
Corner of Shields & Grafton Streets, Cairns City

7:00 Depart Cairns for 3 days & 2 nights on The Great Barrier Reef
Light breakfast served on board

11:00 Dive 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

Day 4

7:00 Dive 3: Training dive
First dive of the day, before breakfast

9:00 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

Day 5

06:30 Dive 7
Your first dive of the day – a sunrise dive to enjoy the reef waking up.

7:30 Breakfast

9:00 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 Complimentary return transfer
Return transfer to your accommodation

19:30 Farewell dinner (optional, additional cost)
Join fellow passengers and crew at a local restaurant for a farewell dinner

What to bring on days 3, 4 & 5 on the Great Barrier Reef

• Clothing and swimwear, warm clothes for the evening
• 2 x towels (ocean/shower)
• Sun hat
• Marine-safe sunscreen & toiletries
• Seasickness medication
• Shoes are not necessary
• Alcoholic beverages if you would like a drink in the evening

Please do not bring sleeping bags, pillows and extra luggage (luggage can be stored securely at our retail shop)