Cairns
There’s no better place than the Great Barrier Reef to learn to dive! Divers Den offers a number of PADI Open Water Course options, which includes staying overnight on the Great Barrier Reef or opting for day trips to complete your ocean training dives.
You have the option to stay overnight, two or three nights which is the average length of stay on OceanQuest completing your dive course. The option is there to combine your PADI training to include both your Open Water and your Advanced Open Water certifications. This is starting your love for scuba diving at it’s best.
There’s no better place than the Great Barrier Reef to learn to dive! Divers Den offers a couple of PADI Open Water Diver course options, both including at least one overnight stay, giving you the chance to explore the vibrant Cairns reef while gaining essential diving experience.
Spending a night on the reef and waking up to sunrise on the water, knowing you’re about to become a PADI-certified diver, is an unforgettable experience. Once your training dives are complete, you’ll also enjoy your first ‘fun dive’ before heading back to Cairns.
Spend two days at our five-star Cairns training centre mastering theory and pool skills, then embark on two consecutive day trips to the Outer Great Barrier Reef completing your required ocean training dives. Dive at Saxon, Norman, and Hastings reefs, exploring the colourful treasures of the Great Barrier Reef as you refine your skills.
Spend two days at our five-star Cairns training centre mastering theory and pool skills, then embark on an overnight trip aboard OceanQuest. Dive at Saxon, Norman, and Hastings reefs, exploring the colourful treasures of the Great Barrier Reef as you refine your skills.
This five-day course includes five extra dives, including a free guided night dive. After two days of training, spend two nights on the reef, diving from dawn to dusk. Night diving offers a unique glimpse into the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef after dark.
Choose our Eco Open Water course to add the PADI Aware Specialty Course to your training. This course teaches you about ocean threats, responsible underwater photography, and how to create conservation-focused content. You’ll also develop an action plan for marine protection and engage in the PADI Aware movement for global impact.
A portion of your course fee supports the PADI Aware Foundation, helping remove marine debris, protect sharks and rays, and establish marine sanctuaries. Upon completion, you’ll receive two limited edition PADI Aware Foundation certification cards.
Important – Dive Medical and Altitude Information
All scuba participants must meet medical questionnaire requirements. Some conditions or medications may prevent you from diving.
It is strongly recommended no flying or altitude within 24 hours if divers have had multiple dives per day for several consecutive days, or have made dives that require decompression stops.
Altitude is defined as 300m/1000ft above sea level. This includes going to the Kuranda Range, Atherton Tablelands (a popular local scenic attraction), so please be aware if booking tours to follow your dive trip. Under normal circumstances, you should be out of the water from your last dive of the day at 2 pm.
2 days pool & theory, 2 day trips to the Great Barrier Reef
Day 1
Pool & Theory
9am: Check in at our Dive Centre at 319 Draper Street, Cairns. 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 and complete your tread water test, finishing at approximately 5.30pm.
Day 2
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.
Days 3 & 4
Day Trips (Outer Reef)
8am: Check in and board SeaQuest at Cairns Marlin Marina for your day trip to the Great Barrier Reef
8.30am: Set off on a 90 minute cruise to the outer reef, receive a briefing, then gear up and do your first training dive
12pm: Fuel up with a hearty lunch
12.30pm: Hit the water for your second dive to refine your skills, and practise your snorkelling skills at the reef’s beautiful shallow cays. After your fourth open water dive you’ll be a certified diver – congratulations!
2.30pm: Cruise back to Cairns, arriving at approximately 4.30pm
2 day pool & theory, 2 day / 1 night liveaboard
Day One
Pool & Theory
9am: Pick up from your Cairns city accommodation
Morning: Meet your instructor, complete paperwork and begin your PADI Open Water dive theory. Lunch is not included on pool days, but you can bring a packed lunch (there are kitchen facilities at our dive centre) 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 developing your scuba skills in the pool and complete 200m swim test. Don your wetsuit and equipment for more skills training.
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)
7.30am-8am: Pick up from Cairns city accommodation, check in at the dive centre and shuttle to Cairns Marlin Marina for your day trip
8.30am: Set off for the reef! During your 90-minute cruise to the outer reef, your instructor will give you a full briefing.
11.30am: Arrive at the reef
12pm: Lunch is served
1pm: Time for your first dive
3pm: Second dive
6pm: Relax, enjoy the views from on deck and sit down to a delicious dinner served by our on board chef.
8pm: Dessert
10pm: Bar closes
Day Four
Great Barrier Reef
7.30am: Wake up to sunrise on the reef – a magical sight! Enjoy a delicious hot breakfast.
8.30am: Third training dive.
10.30am: Complete your final training dive – you’re now a certified PADI Open Water Diver!
12pm: Checkout
12.30pm: Lunch
2.30pm: Board our transfer vessel and return to Cairns Marina and your accommodation.
Day 1: 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 2: 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 3: 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 4: 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 5: 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.
Two days of pool & theory, four days / three nights on a Great Barrier Reef liveaboard
Day One
Pool & Theory
9am: Meet your instructor, complete paperwork and begin your dive theory. Lunch is not included on pool days, but you can bring a packed lunch (we have kitchen facilities available) 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: Finish
Day Two
Pool & Theory
9am: Continue developing your scuba skills in the pool and complete your 200m swim test. Don your wetsuit and equipment for more skills training.
Afternoon: Finish and review scuba theory, finish with a multiple choice exam.
5.30pm: Finish
Day Three
Great Barrier Reef (overnight)
7.30am: Pick up from your accommodation and check in at our dive centre. You can store your larger bags with us before we take you to the Cairns Marina.
8.30am: Set off for a 90 minute trip to the reef on board OceanQuest. On arrival you’ll complete your first of two Open Water training dives, with a break for lunch in between.
3.30pm: Time for your third training dive of the Open Water course. Well done – you’re almost finished!
6pm: Our onboard chef has dinner covered, leaving you time to sit back and enjoy the sunset.
8pm: Dessert
10pm: Bar closes
Day Four
Great Barrier Reef (overnight)
7.30am: Wake up with the Great Barrier Reef! Nothing beats watching the sunrise from a sun lounger – except the delicious hot breakfast that follows.
Then it’s time for your fourth and final dive of the Open Water course. Congratulations, you’re now officially a PADI Open Water Diver!
Celebrate with your first pleasure dive, exploring the treasures of the reef as a qualified diver for the first time, before breaking for lunch.
In the afternoon, complete a Peak Performance Buoyancy dive and fine-tune your buoyancy skills.
6pm: Dinner
6.30pm: Head back into the water for night dive training. Your instructor will guide you through the skills needed to dive in the dark, something that will stand you in good stead for future explorations.
8pm: Dessert
10pm: Bar closes
Day Five
Great Barrier Reef (overnight)
Fuel up at breakfast, because there’s plenty of diving to be done today! During the morning you’ll do your first deep dive down to 25-30m, plus a navigation dive. This will teach you techniques like observing features and the surface, and compass use to find your way beneath the waves.
After lunch you’ll have either a fun dive to test out your skills, or your final training dive (depending on instructor availability).
A delicious dinner follows, before your final advanced course night dive.
Day Six
Great Barrier Reef
Make the most of the views this morning, as it’s your last day out on the reef.
During the morning you’ll have two last dives – depending on instructor availability these will either be fun dives or your final training dive. Congratulations, you are now an Advanced Open Water diver, affectionately known as AOW!
Then it’s time for one last lunch and to pack your belongings as we head back to Cairns, arriving around 4.30pm.
PADI 4 Day and 5 Day Course – (Liveaboard Option)
4 Day PADI Open Water Course – (Day Boat option)
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