PADI diving course on the Great Barrier Reef
First, if you are short on time and don’t want to do a five-day course but still want the liveaboard experience, this four-day course Great Barrier Reef PADI diving course is the perfect option for you.
Instead of classroom theory, this is completed online eLearning in your own time before arriving in Cairns, leaving only one compulsory practical training day at our PADI Dive Centre.
The ocean training dives will take place during our three-day, two-night liveaboard to the Great Barrier Reef.
The Great Barrier Reef is the perfect place to learn to dive with its warm waters and excellent visibility.
Your four-day course consists of the following:
- After booking, we will send you login instructions to the online PADI eLearning Open Water Course theory portion. You must complete all modules and quizzes before starting your practical training in Cairns.
- Day one day of practical training at the Pro Dive Cairns Training Centre.
- Followed by three days and two nights on an Outer Great Barrier Reef liveaboard trip.
Here guests will complete their practical training at the Pro Dive Cairns Training Centre. After your day at the training centre, it’s time to head out to The Great Barrier Reef for a three-day, two-night liveaboard adventure to become a certified diver!
How many dives will I do?
Guests will have the opportunity to complete up to nine dives, with the first four being your training dives.
When you finish your training, dive successfully, and obtain your PADI Open Water Certification. Now you can enjoy five recreational dives, including a night dive guided by your instructor.
While you are onboard, visit many reefs, including Flynn, Thetford, Milln and Pellowe Reef.
There is a fantastic diversity of marine life, including giant clams, sea turtles, stingrays, reef sharks, and spectacular coral formations.
Also, night diving will introduce a whole new dimension to nocturnal sea life.
This four-day eLearning course offers a convenient, memorable and exciting way to become a certified diver on the magnificent world heritage Great Barrier Reef.
Finally, if you would like to do the theory online? Then upgrade to the five days Learn to Dive course when booking. This course includes an extra day in the classroom.
About the Scubapro Dive Vessel
Pro Dive Cairns operates a fleet of specialised diving vessels.
The MV Scubapro I, II, and III are three multi-million dollar diving vessels operated by Pro Dive Cairns.
Scubapro vessels are purpose-built to handle the Great Barrier Reef’s diverse weather conditions while providing a smooth, safe, and enjoyable voyage.
Room Configuration
- Fourteen twin-share cabins with bunk beds.
- Two double bed cabins with shared bathrooms.
All vessels have central air conditioning, plenty of cabin space, access to natural light, a large sun deck and a large dive deck.
ScubaPro I, II, III |
|
| Vessel Type | Monohull |
| Length x Beam | 23.95m x 7.35m (78.5ft x 24.1ft) |
| Engines | Scania Engines V8 339KW |
| Cruising Speed | 12 knots |
| Year Built | 1998, 2002, 2004 |
| Last Refurbishment | 2017 |
| Max. Passengers | 32 passengers |
| Cabins and type | 14 x twin (bunk bed) and 2 x double bed. No ensuite facilities. |
| Heads | Eight toilet/shower combinations |
| Bedding And Linen | Sheets and blankets. No towels supplied |
| On-Board Air Supply | Yes. Nitrox also available |
| Catering | Fully cooked hot/cold breakfast, hot and cold lunches, hot dinner and dessert, all prepared on board, no outside catering, snacks, tea and coffee any time |
| Crew/Passenger Ratio | 1 to 5 |
| Extra Facilities | Television, video, music, board games, books, camera hire, each cabin has twin 240v power outlets. |
| Reefs Visited | Milln, Flynn, Thetford and Pellowe Reefs |
| Fishing | No |
| Miscellaneous | WiFi |
Highlights
3 days and 2 nights learn to scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef
Itinerary
Day 1 – Training Centre
- 08:00 Complimentary hotel transfer
Available from Cairns city and Northern Beaches hotels/hostels - 09:00 Check-in
- 09:15 Pool training
- Noon Lunch break
(Lunch not provided) - 13:00 Pool training
- 16:00 Gear up at the Pro Dive Cairns Retail Shop
- 17:00 Complimentary return transfer
Day 2 – Training Centre
- 08:00 Complimentary hotel transfer
Available from Cairns city and Northern Beaches hotels/hostels - 09:00 Check-in
- 09:15 Pool training
- Noon Lunch break
(Lunch not provided) - 13:00 Pool training
- 16:00 Gear up at the Pro Dive Cairns Retail Shop
- 17:00 Complimentary return transfer
Day 3 – Great Barrier Reef
- 06:00 Complimentary hotel transfer
Available from Cairns city and Northern Beaches hotels/hostels - 06:20 Check in at Pro Dive Cairns retail shop
Corner of Shields & Grafton Streets, Cairns City - 07:00 Depart Cairns for three 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 The night dive
Watch the certified divers participating in the first-night dive of the trip
Day 4 – Great Barrier Reef
- 07:00 Dive 3: training dive
First dive of the day, before breakfast - 09:00 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 freshly certified divers
Day 5 – Great Barrier Reef
- 06:30 Dive 7
Your first dive of the day – a sunrise dive to enjoy the reef waking up. - 07:30 Breakfast
- 09:00 Dive 8
- 11:00 Dive 9
The last dive of the trip, finished by 1200 noon - Noon Lunch – your 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
Included
5 Day Learn to Dive Course Includes:
• PADI Open Water Certification
• Open Water PADI manual (available in a variety of languages)
• All dive and snorkelling equipment (prescription masks if required)
• All meals and bed linen on board the boat.
• Dive Insurance
• Dive Log book
• Accommodation transfers (city and northern beaches)
• 2 passport photos (required for certification)
What to bring
What to Bring:
• Day 1 and 2: Towel, swimwear, sunscreen, money for lunch and dive medical.
• Day 3-5: Overnight bag with comfortable clothing and toiletries, towel, swimwear, sunscreen and a hat.
Important Information
Important Information
Queensland, Australia, has some of the strictest scuba diving rules globally and the safest scuba diving record. We are regulated by the Queensland Government Code of Practice and comply with all regulations, including medical as is the law.
We recommend that all of our passengers complete our dive medical questionnaire before booking as some medical conditions, age and/or medications may prevent you from scuba diving. It is always our mission to provide our passengers with the very best Great Barrier Reef experience.
We are happy to help you with any questions you may have. Please contact our office on 07 4037 2700 or email us.
Alternatively, you may like to consult your Doctor for a Dive Medical using the Australian Standard Forms’ AS.4005.1
Flying after Scuba Diving
It would be best if you did not fly or go to altitude for at least 18 hours after a scuba dive for a single no decompression scuba dive. For multiple dives, you should not fly for 24 hours after your last dive.
If Skydiving or Hot Air Ballooning, you must wait 24 hours after your dive.
We recommend waiting a minimum of 24 hours whenever possible.
Dive Course Required Swim
- This dive course requires that you swim 200 metres or snorkel 300 metres and tread water/float for 10 minutes.