There’s nowhere better than the Great Barrier Reef to learn to dive! If you want to complete your PADI Open Water Diver training in just four days, but also include an overnight experience, this dive course is designed for you.
Spend your first two days at our purpose-built, five-star dive training centre in Cairns, then develop your dive skills on a once in a lifetime overnight experience adventure on board our liveaboard vessel OceanQuest. Our world class instructors will make sure you’re thoroughly trained in theory and in the pool before you set out for the reef.
During your liveaboard trip, we moor up at amazing sites at Saxon, Norman and Hastings reefs, so you’ll experience all the colourful treasures at these Cairns Great Barrier Reef dive locations as you gain valuable dive experience during the day. In the evening, if the weather permits, you’ll be able to take part in our Sharks in the Dark experience*.
Spending the night at the Great Barrier Reef and waking to sunrise on the water, knowing you’re about to become a PADI certified diver is a thrill like no other! After you’ve completed all your training dives you’ll also have the chance to take your first ‘fun dive’ before returning to Cairns.
By choosing Divers Den’s Eco Open Water course, you’ll take part in the PADI Aware Specialty Course during your Open Water training. The PADI Aware Specialty Course teaches divers how to understand and recognize the key ocean threats, take responsible underwater images and build a conservation-focused media presence, develop an action plan for ocean conservation and marine animal protection, become part of the PADI AWARE movement and engage in conservation action for global impact.
This course is your chance to make a direct positive impact on the ocean, as a portion of your course fee contributes directly to the PADI Aware Foundation. PADI Aware assists with removing marine debris, securing protection for sharks & rays, as well as establishing marine protected sanctuaries and assisting local initiatives. At the end of your course, you will receive two PADI Aware Foundation limited edition photographic certification cards.
*Our Sharks in the Dark activity is for both certified-divers and snorkellers. Due to the itinerary of the Four Day One Night Open Water Couse, you will not be certified till your second day onboard OceanQuest, so participation in Sharks in the Dark will be snorkelling activity only.
Includes all equipment and tuition. Prices valid to 31 March 2025. Price is per person and includes all applicable fees, taxes and levies.
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
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
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.
6.30pm: If conditions permit, you may have the chance to enjoy our exclusive Sharks in the Dark experience! As you won’t be fully certified yet, our Sharks in the Dark experience is also snorkeller-friendly!
8pm: Dessert
10pm: Bar closes
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.
Diver Medical – Participant Questionnaire
Bedding and bath towels are supplied on board. Excess baggage can be stored at our Draper Street office at check in.
All scuba participants must meet medical questionnaire requirements. Some conditions or medications may prevent you from diving. These requirements can be found on our Can I Dive? page, and we strongly recommend reviewing before booking.
Queensland’s code of practice on diving states that for a single no decompression dive, you should not fly/go to altitude for at least 12 hours, or 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 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 12 pm.
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“Thanks to the amazing team at Divers Den for expertly guiding me through my Open Water Dive Course! My instructors were brilliant and I felt safe and capable throughout. My first dive as a certified diver was an amazing experience and I can’t wait for many more!”
– Kate
