PADI Dive Course – Liveaboard – 5 days

from A$1315
5 days

Key Highlights

  • Learn to scuba dive with a 5-day PADI Open Water course, combining pool and classroom training in Cairns with a 3-day liveaboard adventure on the Outer Great Barrier Reef
  • Enjoy up to nine dives across 19 exclusive reef sites, including a guided night dive, while experiencing world-class marine life and premium onboard comfort

What’s included

  • 9 Dives (4 training dives and 5 pleasure dives - inc one night dive)
  • Dive insurance
  • PADI Gold Open Water Certification
  • PADI Open Water manual
  • Dive log book
  • Accommodation transfers (Cairn's city)
  • All Dive equipment
  • All meals except on Days 1 and 2

Overview

Thinking about taking the plunge and becoming a certified scuba diver? Our five-day PADI Open Water course is the most popular way to combine the adventure of learning to dive with the excitement of exploring the spectacular beauty of the Great Barrier Reef. With warm water, minimal current and great visibility year-round, the Great Barrier Reef is the best place on Earth to learn how to dive.

The five-day course consists of two parts:
Two days of pool and classroom training in Cairns.
Three days and two nights on an Outer Great Barrier Reef liveaboard trip.

The first two days of the course are spent at our five-star PADI training centre, where you will learn dive theory in air-conditioned classrooms and basic skills of scuba diving in the pool. Centrally located in Cairns city, our modern training centre features the deepest four-metre diver training pools in the region, ensuring a professional and safe learning environment. Then it's time to head out to the Great Barrier Reef for a three-day, two-night liveaboard adventure to become a certified diver!

Once on the Great Barrier Reef, you will have the opportunity to participate in up to nine dives. The first four dives are training dives, which will complete your PADI Open Water Certification. After these are completed, you can enjoy five recreational dives, one of which is an exciting night dive guided by your dive instructor. This is a highly personalised certification course, and you'll have the same instructor for the entire duration.

Pro Dive Cairns has access to a variety of diving and snorkelling experiences across 19 exclusive Outer Reef dive sites over four magnificent reefs: Flynn, Thetford, Milln and Pellowe Reefs. Diving at different times throughout the day, you will be able to encounter an amazing diversity of marine life, including giant clams, majestic sea turtles, graceful stingrays, reef sharks, an incredible variety of tropical fish and spectacular coral formations, with consistent underwater visibility. Night diving will introduce a whole new dimension of nocturnal sea life.

Between dives, relax in comfort on board one of our three premium Scubapro dive boats. These purpose-built liveaboard dive vessels feature air-conditioned twin or double cabins, spacious decks, catered meals, and all the comforts of home. With small passenger numbers and close crew-to-guest ratios, a high-quality, personalised experience with dedicated attention from our specialist staff is ensured at all times.

Starting in Cairns every day except Sunday, this five-day open water course offers a truly memorable and exciting way to become a certified scuba diver while having the opportunity to explore the magnificent World Heritage Great Barrier Reef environment.

Additional info by the operator.

What to bring: Day 1 and 2 at the Training Centre: Swimwear, towel, marine safe sunscreen, money for lunch, dive medical if required and passport or Australian driver's license. Please bring the travel voucher from your travel agent and/or course fees, and your dive medical if required. Days 3, 4 and 5 on the Great Barrier Reef: Clothing and swimwear, warm clothes for the evening, 2 x towels (ocean or shower), sun hat, marine safe sunscreen and toiletries, seasickness medication, shoes are not necessary, alcoholic beverages if you would like a drink in the evening. Conditions: The minimum age to participate in this tour is 10 years. There is no need for cash on board. All payments can be made via cash or card at our retail shop upon completion of the trip. Prior to commencing your dive course, you are required to complete the self-assessment Student Diver Medical Declaration. 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 complete within 90 days of starting your dive course. The number of dives may vary subject to weather and/or other unforeseen circumstances. A Government Environmental Management Charge, Port Departure Tax and administration fee are included in your total fare. Please do not bring: Sleeping bags, pillows and extra luggage (luggage can be stored securely at our retail shop). Dive Centre: PADI 5 Star Dive and Career Development Centre Air-conditioned classrooms 2 large, 4-metre deep heated training pools Comfortable and spacious surroundings Bathrooms and change rooms Highly trained and experienced instructors Vessel Amenities: Air-conditioned cabins and saloon 14 twin bunk bed cabins and 2 double bed cabins (enquire on booking) All bedding supplied Freshly prepared meals Hot freshwater showers Spacious dive and sundeck Twin 240V power outlets in each cabin Food & drinks: Fully catered, buffet-style, freshly prepared meals Unlimited tea, coffee and Milo A limited range of different dietary requirements can be catered for; please enquire with our reservations team for specifics before your trip We recommend gluten-intolerant or vegan guests bring snacks that don't require refrigeration No bottled water is kept on board; personal drink bottles and filtered, chilled water is available Soft drinks, fruit juice and chocolate bars are available at an additional cost Health & Safety: Your safety and comfort are our number one priority. Please let our experienced instructors know if you are worried, stressed or not feeling well at any point. Before commencing your dive course, you are required to complete the self-assessment Entry Level Student Diver Medical Declaration. A positive response to any question 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. It is a dive course requirement that you be able to swim 200 metres or snorkel 300 metres and tread water/float for 10 minutes. We recommend that you do not fly within 24 hours of diving. The earliest you should fly is 12 pm (midday) on the day after your trip concludes. Fuel Surcharge: Due to the significant increase and volatility of fuel prices in Australia, it has regrettably become necessary to introduce a fuel surcharge to your ticket price, effective from 1 May 2026. The following fuel surcharges will be payable at check-in on the day of travel. The surcharge is payable per person. Not applicable for infants (0-3 years). AUD $25 per person (per liveaboard trip component). Not included: Meals on days 1 and 2.