Five Day, Two Night PADI Open Water Course

Overview

Offering five extra dives, including a free guided night dive, this five-day PADI Open Water Diver course including a two-night liveaboard stay is our most popular learn to dive option. After two days of expert tuition at our purpose-built Cairns dive training facility, you’ll hone your skills on the reef to become a certified PADI Open Water Diver.

Make the most of your time on the water diving the Great Barrier Reef, exploring from early morning to night! Night diving is a regular activity in scuba diving, and to become familiar with the water at this time of day is a huge benefit. This free guided dive will expand your knowledge as a diver and give you a window into the weird and wonderful world that is night on the Great Barrier Reef.

You’ll also have the opportunity to gain even more skills by adding on the PADI Adventure Diver course or PADI Nitrox Course, supervised by our expert instructors.

Make it Eco!

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.

Availability:

Dates vary, check booking link below for our next available session.

Duration:

Five days

Course Outline:

2 days pool & theory, 3 days / 2 nights on board our overnight vessel OceanQuest

Medical Information:

All Open Water scuba participants must meet medical questionnaire requirements and some conditions or medications may prevent you from diving. Visit the Can I Dive page to see if you meet the requirements before booking.

Included:

  • All PADI materials
  • All dive and snorkel equipment, including air fills, and full tuition
  • Fresh chilled water, tea and coffee
  • Two outer reef locations per day
  • Meals while at sea
  • Transfers from Cairns city accommodation

Book now

5 Day 2 Night Course

per person from
$1,155
Twin / Quad Share Cabin
$1,215
Double Cabin

5 Day 2 Night Eco Course (including Adventure Diver Specialty)

Cost per person
$1,520
Twin / Quad Share Cabin
$1,580
Double Cabin

Other languages available

Japanese available every Wednesday
Book
Chinese available every Wednesday
Book

​Includes all equipment and tuition. Prices valid to 31st March 2024. Locals discount not valid for 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

Itinerary

Day One

Pool & Theory

9am: Pick up from your Cairns city accommodation

Morning: Meet your instructor, complete paperwork and begin dive theory

Lunch is not included, but you can bring a packed lunch 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

Day Two

Pool & Theory

9am: Pick up from Cairns city accommodation

Morning: Continue scuba skills in the pool and complete 200m swim test. Don your wetsuit and equipment for more skills training.

Lunch is not included, but you can bring a packed lunch or there are plenty of places to eat nearby.

Afternoon: Finish and review scuba theory, finish with a multiple choice exam.

5.30pm: Drop off at Cairns city accommodation

Day Three

Great Barrier Reef (overnight)

7.30-8am: Pick up from your city accommodation (if booked)

8.30am: Set off from Cairns Marina on board our fast and modern transfer boat, for the 90-minute trip to the Outer Barrier Reef. Select your equipment and receive in depth safety briefings

10am: Arrive at the reef for your first intro dive

12pm: Enjoy lunch while we move to our second dive site

12:30pm: Second training dive

2.30pm: Transfer to OceanQuest and settle into your cabin

3.30pm: Third training dive

6pm: Dinner is served

6.30pm: Enjoy Sharks in the Dark, one of our unique liveaboard experiences, or simply chill out

8pm: Dessert

10pm: Bar closes

Day Four

Great Barrier Reef (overnight)

7.30am: Kickstart your day with coffee on deck and a hot breakfast prepared by our chefs – this is going to be a big day!

8.30am: Gear up for your final training dive on the reef. With a hand shake underwater, you’re officially a certified SCUBA diver with a worldwide recognised certification.

10.30am: Put your new skills to practice with your first fun dive! Enjoy the sensation as you explore the undersea world in freedom.

12.30pm: Celebrate with a delicious lunch

3.30pm: Enjoy another fun dive on the outer reef

6pm: Dinner

6.30pm: If you’re feeling brave, it’s time to hop into the water for your first night dive!

8pm: Dessert

10pm: Bar closes

Day Five

Great Barrier Reef

With all the hard work behind you, today is all about fun dives!

After breakfast and two more dive sessions, it’s time for a final buffet lunch, and to pack your gear for the return trip to Cairns.

Arriving back in Cairns Marina around 4.30pm, we will shuttle you to any city accommodation, if necessary going via our dive centre to collect any stored luggage.

Additional info

Prerequisites and forms

  • Minimum age 10 (If the diver is under 12, we must be informed before the course starts, as a private instructor will be needed)
  • When enrolling in an entry-level recreational diving certificate you must complete the following self-assessed medical declaration forms before starting your training. The forms are similar and both are a Queensland code of practice requirement.

Medical Declaration for Entry Level Divers

Diver Medical – Participant Questionnaire

  • Medical certificate if required
  • Ability to pass a 200m swim and 10 minute treading water test

Extras

  • Snacks and beverages
  • Photo purchases
  • Digital camera hire
  • Quality souvenirs

What to bring

  • Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Swimsuit and towel
  • Overnight bag with changes of clothing, including warm clothing and socks for overnight wear
  • Toiletries

Bedding and bath towels are supplied on board. Excess baggage can be stored at our Draper Street office at check in.

Medical and altitude information

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.

It is required by Queensland law that you must wait at least 24 hours after diving before going to altitude or flying – there is no guarantee that this requirement will prevent decompression sickness. There are no current guidelines regarding diving after flying.

Altitude is defined as 300m/1000ft above sea level. Certain other tourist attractions around Cairns and Tropical North Queensland involve travelling to altitude. These include the Atherton Tablelands and the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, so we recommend a gap between booking these experiences and any dive course or trip. Under normal circumstances, you should be out of the water on your last dive by 12pm (midday).

Reviews

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I’ve finished my PADI Open Water course with Divers Den and spent 2 nights 3 days on this amazing liveaboard. I was really lucky to get (I’m pretty sure) the best instructor for my PADI, he had all the knowledge and skills.”

– Mercedes