PADI eLearning Open Water Course

Overnight schedule – Day 1:

9am: Check in at our Dive Centre at 319 Draper St, Cairns for your day of pool and theory. Remember to bring your luggage for your overnight experience

5pm: Finish your training, shower and change before heading back to your accommodation

Day 2:

8am: Board our dayboat ReefQuest

8.30am: Depart for the reef and Dive 1 briefing

10.15am: Dive 1

12 Noon: Lunch is served and Dive 2 briefing after

1pm: Dive 2

2.45pm: Transfer to the overnight boat if choosing the overnight option

3.30pm: Dive 3

6.30pm: Dinner is served!

7.30pm: Enjoy our Sharks in the Dark experience as a snorkeller, or from on deck

10pm: Bar closes

Day 3:

The vessel will move to a new location early in the morning with a chance to see the sunrise.

8.30am: Breakfast time! Fuel up – today you’ll become a certified Open Water Diver!

9.15am: Dive 4 briefing

9.30am: Dive 4 – congratulations, you’re now an Open Water Diver!

11.15am: Dive 5 briefing

11.30am: Dive 5 (fun dive)

1pm: Lunch is served

2.30pm: Transfer back to ReefQuest or if a Sunday, OceanQuest begins the return trip to Cairns

4-4.30pm (approx): Arrival back in Cairns

On arrival in Cairns we will offer a complimentary luggage drop off to your hotel or our dive centre.

• Please note that due to all the in-water skills lessons being completed in one day, participants need to expect a full day in the water  (8 hours minimum). This may not be suitable for slower-paced learners, or people who need frequent breaks from physical activity. If a slower pace is needed, we recommend the 4 Day Open Water Course.
• Minimum age 10, or 12 if completing Advanced Open Water  (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 form before starting your training. If you answer yes to any of the health questions, you will need to bring the completed form with you to your physician to recieve a physician’s letter/medical clearance before you start your course.

Diver Medical – Participant Questionnaire

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

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

• Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
• Swimsuit and towel

For overnight option:

• 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.

OceanQuest has the following accommodation options:

• 4 Double Cabins with a queen size bed and en suite bathroom (minimum 2 passengers)
• 18 Twin Cabins each with two single beds and en suite bathroom

Due to current social distancing regulations:

• Shared cabins are only available to guests in a travel bubble (travelling together)
• A mandatory sole occupancy surcharge of 25% applies to solo travellers
• The sole occupancy surcharge will be refunded if restrictions are lifted before departure

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 on your last dive by 12pm (midday) on our overnight trips and 2pm on our day trips.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Had an absolute blast doing my Open Water and Advanced course on board OceanQuest – it was everything I dreamed it would be on the Great Barrier Reef. My incredible instructors were amazingly knowledgeable Everyone was so helpful and welcoming. Thanks so much, I will definitely be back again!”

– Alex