Offering five extra fun dives, including a 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 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.
By choosing to add on the Divers Den’s Eco option, 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 recognise 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 2026. 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
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
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
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 training 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
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
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.
Diver Medical – Participant Questionnaire
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 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.
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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“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
