5 Day PADI Open Water Course (OceanQuest)

5 Day PADI Open Water Course (OceanQuest).  If you have the time then completing your learn to dive course in Cairns over 5 days offers you the ultimate learning environment and experience.

Cairns based dive company Divers Den operates their liveaboard at the Great Barrier called OceanQuest. The major difference between OceanQuest and Scubapro dive course schedule is OceanQuest is permanently based on the reef and uses daily a day boat transfer service for staff and passengers to OceanQuest. Scubapro operates it’s 3 day itinerary from departing and returning from Cairns Marina.

Your vessel OceanQuest caters up to 48 guests and is a spacious three-deck, 35m catamaran purpose built with a spacious dive deck, large open sundecks and hot, fresh water showers and all double and twin-share cabins include an ensuite. All delicious meals are prepared by onboard chef, including hearty breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Enjoy a well-deserved dessert treat after your day in the water!

Highlights

• PADI 5 Star Career Development Centre in Cairns
• 2 Days of quality training (Theory and Pool skills) at at a state of art facility and dive instructors
• 3 Day 2 Night Liveaboard trip (OceanQuest) – Double/Twin-Share cabins (all with ensuites)
• Day and Nights dives on the Great Barrier Reef
• Range of courses from beginner to dive instructor

Course Start Dates -Dates vary, check booking link below for the next available session

Duration – Five days

Course Outline – 2 days pool & theory, 3 days / 2 nights on board OceanQuest

Diving Details

All training dives are completed on a 3 Day 2 Night Liveaboard trip on the Great Barrier Reef. Dive sites take in Norman Reef, Hastings Reef and Saxon Reefs with a number of exclusive locations.

There are so many benefits to completing your dive courses on a liveaboard over day trips but here are the main reasons.

• Dive program allows for additional fun dives to 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 a number of different dive locations over the three days – Dive Coral Gardens, Swim Throughs, Large bommies of coral, wall dives and drift dives

Exclusive to this liveaboard itinerary is their “Sharks in the Dark dive experience”.  Witness a variety of reef sharks on your after dinner scuba dive, or if you prefer, watch them from the comfort of our vessel as they pass through the soft light. You’ll be enthralled as these inquisitive and friendly creatures swim near our overnight vessel.

Bookings

Please use the CHECK AVAILABILITY tab on this page to check for your preferred course start date as listed under the pricing section.

If the date is available or you find another suitable start date you can then proceed with your booking by clicking on the CONTINUE TAB. Complete the information as required to finalise the booking and safe and securely make your payment. Once completed you will receive an Instant Booking Confirmation. We will then be in touch with you shortly thereafter to confirm all your booking details are correct and answer any questions you may have about the dive course.

Important Information – Dive Medical

If you are enrolling in an entry-level recreational diving certificate you must complete and submit the following self-assessed Open Water Course Medical Declaration form before starting your training.

OPEN WATER COURSE Medical_Declaration_2021_04_04

If it has been identified on the stated document that you:

(a) have or have had any of the medical conditions mentioned in the medical declaration

(b) are over 45 years old

(c) have a body mass index over 30 AND a waist circumference greater than 102 cm for males and 88 cm for females

then you must have completed by a doctor the below English language Open Water Student Medical. Participant Medical Questionnaire (must be completed within 90 days of course commencement) certifying that you are medically fit to dive.

Diverrs-Den-PADI-open-water-students-2.22

Everyone undertaking training for an entry level recreational diving certificate must be at least 10 years of age. If the diver is under 18, parental or guardian consent should be obtained for the diver to undertake training for an entry-level recreational diving certificate.

If the diver is under 12, we must be informed before the course starts, as a private instructor will be needed for the sea days.

Day One – Pool & Theory

9am: Pick up from your Cairns city accommodation

Morning: Meet your instructor, complete paperwork and begin dive theory

Lunch is not included, but you can bring a packed lunch or there are plenty of places to eat nearby.

Afternoon: Begin your scuba skills training in the pool

5.15pm: Tread water test

5.30pm: Drop off at Cairns city accommodation

Day Two Pool & Theory

9am: Pick up from Cairns city accommodation

Morning: Continue scuba skills in the pool and complete 200m swim test. Don your wetsuit and equipment for more skills training.

Lunch is not included, but you can bring a packed lunch or there are plenty of places to eat nearby.

Afternoon: Finish and review scuba theory, finish with a multiple choice exam.

5.30pm: Drop off at Cairns city accommodation

Day Three – Great Barrier Reef (Overnight)

7.30-8am: Pick up from your city accommodation (if booked)

8.30am: Set off from Cairns Marina on board our fast and modern transfer boat, for the 90-minute trip to the Outer Barrier Reef. Select your equipment and receive in depth safety briefings

10am: Arrive at the reef for your first intro dive

12pm: Enjoy lunch while we move to our second dive site

12:30pm: Second training dive

2.30pm: Transfer to OceanQuest and settle into your cabin

3.30pm: Third training dive

6pm: Dinner is served

6.30pm: Enjoy Sharks in the Dark, one of our unique liveaboard experiences, or simply chill out

8pm: Dessert

10pm: Bar closes

Day Four – Great Barrier Reef (Overnight)

7.30am: Kickstart your day with coffee on deck and a hot breakfast prepared by our chefs – this is going to be a big day!

8.30am: Gear up for your final training dive on the reef. With a hand shake underwater, you’re officially a certified SCUBA diver with a worldwide recognised certification.

10.30am: Put your new skills to practice with your first fun dive! Enjoy the sensation as you explore the undersea world in freedom.

12.30pm: Celebrate with a delicious lunch

3.30pm: Enjoy another fun dive on the outer reef

6pm: Dinner

6.30pm: If you’re feeling brave, it’s time to hop into the water for your first night dive!

8pm: Dessert

10pm: Bar closes

Day Five – Great Barrier Reef

With all the hard work behind you, today is all about fun dives!

After breakfast and two more dive sessions, it’s time for a final buffet lunch, and to pack your gear for the return trip to Cairns.

Arriving back in Cairns Marina around 4.30pm, we will shuttle you to any city accommodation, if necessary going via our dive centre to collect any stored luggage.