With nine training dives and six extra fun dives, this Great Barrier Reef dive course sets you up to continue your diving adventures around the world.
Spend two days tackling the theory and pool training at our five-star PADI Dive Centre, then head to the outer reef for a four-day three-night stay on our liveaboard vessel OceanQuest.
During your course you’ll pack in as many as 15 dives (including two at night). Explore the Great Barrier Reef and see everything from colourful corals, anemones, Nemos, sharks, rays, turtles and nudibranchs at our outer reef dive sites, while you gain skills and experience as a scuba diver.
By the end of your six-day dive course you’ll have not only your PADI Open Water Diver certification but also your PADI Advanced Open Water certification. This means you’ll be qualified to explore depths of up to 30m!
In between dives, relax in comfort on board OceanQuest. Soak up the sun and the views on deck, fuel up for your next dive with tasty meals prepared by our onboard chef and sleep soundly in your air-conditioned cabin with full en suite.
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.
Includes all equipment and tuition. Prices valid to 31st March 2025. Locals discount does not apply to optional extras. Price is per person and inclusive of GST and all fees, including the GBRMPA environmental management charge (EMC) which contributes directly to the management of the Marine Park. Learn more at gbrmpa.gov.au
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
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
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.
Once the sun goes down, take the opportunity to try out our unique liveaboard activity – Sharks in the Dark. Grab a snorkel and watch these friendly creatures from the dive platform or on deck.
8pm: Dessert
10pm: Bar closes
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
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.
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.
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 the medical questionnaire requirements for each course. 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 (noon).
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“Had an absolute blast doing my Open Water and Advanced course on board OceanQuest – it was everything I dreamed it would be on the Great Barrier Reef. My incredible instructors were amazingly knowledgeable Everyone was so helpful and welcoming. Thanks so much, I will definitely be back again!”
– Alex
