Get onboard our PADI diving course with this Great Barrier Reef Cairns liveaboard!
If you are short on time and don’t want to do a week-long course but want the true liveaboard experience, this four-day liveaboard Great Barrier Reef PADIDiving Course is the perfect option for you.
1st Step: Firstly, instead of classroom theory, the theory portion of this certification is completed online via eLearning in your own time before arriving in Cairns.
2nd Step: Then, you will spend one day completing practical training at our PADI Dive Centre and pool.
3rd Step: Finally, you will complete the course during three days onboard our premier reef liveaboard – diving the spectacular Great Barrier Reef.
Furthermore, all ocean training dives will occur during our three-day, two-night liveaboard trip 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.
Then, spend one day of practical training at the Pro Dive Cairns Training Centre.
Finally, spend three days and two nights on an Outer Great Barrier Reef liveaboard trip.
How many dives will I do?
You can complete up to nine dives, with the first four being your PADI diving course training. Once you finish your training dives successfully, you will obtain your PADI Open Water Certification. Afterwards, you can participate in five recreational dives with your instructor, including a night dive.
Which Great Barrier Reef sites will I visit?
You may visit any number of reefs, including Flynn, Thetford,Milln, and Pellowe Reef and see a fantastic diversity of marine life, including giant clams, sea turtles, stingrays, reef sharks, an incredible variety of tropical fish and spectacular coral formations. Additionally, night diving will introduce a whole new dimension of nocturnal sea life that you won’t want to miss.
The four-day eLearning course offers a convenient, memorable, and exciting way to become a certified diver on the magnificent world heritage Great Barrier Reef. With the opportunity to explore these stunning reefs and witness the vibrant marine life they offer, completing this course is a truly unforgettable experience.
You don’t want to do the theory online? Then upgrade to the 5 days Learn to Dive course when booking. This course includes an extra day in the classroom.
Get your PADI Open Water dive certification!
One day of practical training at the Pro Dive Cairns Training Centre.
Three-days and two-nights on an Outer Great Barrier Reef liveaboard trip.
PADI diving course itinerary
Day 1 – PADI diving course training centre
08:00: First, complimentary hotel transfer
Available from Cairns city and Northern Beaches hotels/hostels
09:00: Check-in
09:15: Then, start your pool training (no theory, as you will have already completed it)
Noon Lunch break
(Lunch not provided)
13:00: After lunch, time for more pool training
17:00: Finally, return transfer back to your accommodation
Day 2 – Great Barrier Reef
06:00: First, 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 3 – 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: Finally, enjoy a guided night dive!
Day 4 – Great Barrier Reef
06:30: First, wake up to enjoy your last morning onboard the Scubapro vessel, then it’s 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: Finally, join the farewell dinner (optional, additional cost)
Join fellow passengers and crew at a local restaurant for a farewell dinner
• PADI Open Water Certification
• PADI Open Water E-Learning
• All dive and snorkelling equiptment (prescription masks if required)
• All meals and bed linen on board the boat.
• Dive Insurance
• Dive Log book
• Accomodation transfers (city and northern beaches)
• 2 passport photos (required for certification)
What to bring to your PADI diving course
Day 1: Towel, swimwear, sunscreen, money for lunch, and dive medical.
Day 2-4: Overnight bag with comfortable clothing and toiletries, towel, swimwear, sunscreen and a hat.
Credit card or cash for onboard purchases
Please visit the Prodive Cairns retail shop on the corner of Shields and Grafton Streets Cairns the day before your trip departing.
This way, you can organise any equipment and paperwork before departure. The Prodive Cairns shop is open seven days from 9:30 am to 7 pm.
Return transfers from Cairns City accommodation are included in this tour.
Important Medical Requirement
All students enrolling in the PADI Open Water Course must complete a PADI Medical Questionnaire before participating. If any medical conditions require further assessment, you must have the final page of the form signed by a qualified physician before you can dive. Failure to provide medical clearance, if required, may prevent you from joining the course. No refunds are issued for failed medicals.
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 single no-decompression scuba dive. Furthermore, you should not fly for 24 hours after your last dive for multiple dives.
If you are Skydiving or Hot Air Ballooning, you must wait 24 hours after diving.
We recommend waiting a minimum of 24 hours whenever possible.
Dive Course Required Swim
Finally, this dive course requires that you swim 200 metres or snorkel 300 metres and tread water/float for 10 minutes.
Please note that at the time of booking, a AUD$90.00 per person (AUD$95.00 per person as of 1st April 2025) Environmental management charges & charges will be added. This fee includes a Government Environmental Management Charge of AUD21.00, Port Departure Tax and Administration Charges. This charge applies to all passengers travelling on the 3 Day 2 Night Liveaboard Dive trip and all Dive Courses combining the 3 Day trip. (This fee is subject to change and without notice.)
A minimum of 48 hours' notice is required to re-schedule or alter all or part of a reservation.
Any date and/or name change will incur a $20 administration fee.
We are required to notify the operator of any cancellations within the specified cancellation period. It is your responsibility to make sure you submit your cancellation request with adequate time, and during our standard business hours (9 am-5 pm), to allow us to contact the tour provider. All cancellation requests must be in writing and sent via email to: [email protected]. Any emails received outside of these hours will be considered received the following day.
Cancellation fees are as follows:
20% cancellation fee + the eLearning portion of the course when cancelling 48 hours or more before departure. The eLearning portion of the course is non-refundable. Please contact us for the current value of the course.
100% cancellation fee within 48 hours before departure and for "No Show".
There will be no refund of any part of your tour costs should you fail to arrive at a scheduled tour departure time. Tour departures may not be delayed due to passenger circumstances - including events beyond your control, medical problems, airline delays, weather, etc.
All passengers are strongly advised to purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation insurance, evacuation, and medical cover.
Terms And Conditions
This website acts as a booking agent only for the tours advertised herein. Although we endeavor to provide accurate information, we are not liable for inaccurate information concerning services.
We are not liable for changes to tours, pricing, or itineraries; all of which are subject to change without notice.
Surcharge: Due to potential significant volatility in supply & operational costs a surcharge may be applied due to unforeseen circumstances. In such cases, any charge will be collected on departure.
Neither this site nor any associated company or agent advertised through this site is responsible for your costs or losses resulting from alterations, cancellations, loss of personal belongings, property damage, delay, or personal injury.
All passengers are strongly advised to purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation insurance, evacuation, and medical cover. Please read the wording of your insurance policy carefully and ensure it covers you for all potential activities. In a medical emergency, any evacuation, vessel relocation, medical or other expenses are the financial responsibility of that passenger. Please be aware that scuba diving and other in-water activities are not covered by all travel insurance companies.
Please inform us of any special requirements before your date of travel; such as dietary requirements, allergies, mobility and disability issues. This can be done in the 'Booking Message' section of your online reservation or by contacting our friendly reservations team
Please note that at the time of booking, a AUD$90.00 per person (AUD$95.00 per person as of 1st April 2025) Environmental management charges & charges will be added. This fee includes a Government Environmental Management Charge of AUD21.00, Port Departure Tax and Administration Charges. This charge applies to all passengers travelling on the 3 Day 2 Night Liveaboard Dive trip and all Dive Courses combining the 3 Day trip. (This fee is subject to change and without notice.)
Prior to commencing your dive course you are required to complete the self-assessment Student Divers Medical Declarations. A positive response to any questions indicates there is a pre-existing condition which may affect your safety while diving and you must consult a medical practitioner, preferably with experience in diving medicine, to obtain a dive medical certificate that states you are medically fit to dive. Medical must be in English and completed within 90 days of starting your dive course.
We recommend that you not fly within 24 hours of your final dive. Your final scheduled dive of the 3-day trip will be complete by 12:00 pm.
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