Want to learn to dive in Cairns, the home of the Great Barrier Reef? The PADI Open Water Diver course is your first step in learning to dive and earning your first dive certification.
The PADI Open Water learn to dive certification takes you through scuba theory and principles, confined dives for basic training, then time out at the Great Barrier Reef to use your newfound skills as you explore the world beneath the water.
You’ll do your training over four days. The first two days will be spent learning the theory and practising your skills in the classroom and pool at our five-star PADI career development and dive training centre.
This is followed by either two day trips to the Great Barrier Reef, or an overnight stay on board our liveaboard vessel OceanQuest.
We offer courses in English. Courses in German, Japanese and Chinese are currently only available on request and subject to instructor availability. PADI eLearning is also available in a variety of language options.
Includes all equipment and tuition. Prices valid to 31 March 2025. Price is per person and includes all applicable fees, taxes and levies. Locals discount not valid for optional extras.
Medical Declaration for Entry Level Divers
Diver Medical – Participant Questionnaire
All scuba participants must meet medical questionnaire requirements. Some conditions or medications may prevent you from diving.
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 on your last dive by 12pm (midday) on our overnight trips and 2pm on our day trips.
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“Awesome, guys! I took my open water PADI diving course with Divers Den, being one day theory, one day pool training, and 3 days/2 nights at their liveaboard boat OceanQuest. Our instructor was amazing. All the crew at OceanQuest were great, and the dives (and all help and service at the boat) were terrific. I would recommend, and I would definitely come back.”
– Moana
For day trip option:
For liveaboard option:
Bedding and bath towels are supplied on board. Excess baggage can be stored at our Draper Street office at check in.