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Dominate your introduction to the world of scuba diving with the 6 day / 3 night PADI Open Water and Advanced Diver course. This package of courses will not only build your skills as a scuba diver, but it will enable you to dive deeper and with more skill than someone doing the entry-level certification of Open Water Diver. Divers Den deliver this course in two distinct sections. It starts with 2 days in Cairns, where you learn scuba diving theory at their Dive Centre, then practice scuba schools with confined water dives in their heated pool. Then it’s out to the Great Barrier Reef where you will spend 4 days and 3 nights completing your training dives, including 2 night dives, and enjoying 4 unguided buddy dives, exploring the coral gardens of the Great Barrier Reef.
The Divers Den PADI Open Water and Advanced Diver course starts every day of the week, except Wednesday. Please note that due to limited availability on OceanQuest, we recommend locking in your preferred dates as soon as you know them. The price for this 6 day / 3 night course covers all theory, instruction and PADI materials, dive equipment rental and the 4 day / 3 night stay at the Great Barrier Reef on OceanQuest. Accommodation is available in double cabins, twin share and quad share, and it’s first in best dressed with this. All meals, tea, coffee and chilled water on OceanQuest are also included. The minimum age to participate in this combined course is 12 years old.
PADI Open Water & Advanced Open Water Course. 6 day course, including 4 day / 3 night Great Barrier Reef liveaboard. 13 dives.
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Divers Den has been teaching people how to scuba dive since 1974. They have successfully certified over 150,000 divers on the Great Barrier Reef. So they have the expertise to ensure you move through your course with support and success. They have a 5 Star Career Development PADI Centre in Cairns and experienced team of professional Dive Instructors. This 6 day course includes 2 days of theory and pool practice in Cairns, then the 4 day / 3 night trip to the Great Barrier Reef, staying overnight on OceanQuest. OceanQuest has air conditioned cabins, each with own ensuite, interior dining and lounge, with external sundecks. Guests on board will be a combination of snorkelers, certified divers and dive students.
As well as being a fun, recreational activity, scuba diving also encompasses several technical aspects, which must be learned and understood to become a certified diver. This includes but is not limited to, understanding water pressure and its effects on the body, the importance of equalising underwater and knowing how to manage your dive and check your air levels. The classroom component of the course is completed at Divers Den’s diver training facility in Cairns.
*Please note all students wishing to participate in a PADI Open Water & Advanced Diver course must complete a self-assessed medical declaration prior to commencing training. You can download the Diver Medical Self Assessment questionnaire here. Please ensure you complete this honestly and accurately, this is vital for your safety when underwater. If further assessment is required, you’ll need to get a doctor’s letter / medical clearance before you start the course, this clearance must be dated no older than 90 days before time of issue and time of course commencement. Some health conditions, including asthma, epilepsy, heart conditions, chronic sinus concerns and more, may prevent you from participating.
Confined water practice sessions are an essential part of learning to dive. They allow you to practice core scuba diving skills in a calm water environment, which for Divers Den is at a heated training pool. Skills you will practice include but are not limited to, setting up your equipment and completing buddy checks, water entry, safe descent and ascent, checking your air consumption, buoyancy control and learning to use your scuba equipment. Instructors guide you through each exercise at a steady pace, so you feel prepared before moving on to your open water dives. The Divers Den training pool has shallow sides and reaches a maximum depth of 3m in the middle. Please note it is a PADI requirement that Open Water Divers can swim 200m without stopping and tread water for 10 minutes, without touching the sides or bottom. This must be demonstrated in the pool.
This Divers Den Cairns PADI Open Water & Advanced Open Water Diver course includes a 4 day / 3 night stay at the Great Barrier Reef. You will be staying on OceanQuest, which is a spacious and comfortable liveaboard boat, come floating hotel. Divers Den has 19 moorings across several outer reefs, including Saxon, Norman and Hastings Reef. You will complete all necessary open water training dives on the Great Barrier Reef. In conjunction with the PADI requirements, there are 4 Open Water training dives and 5 Advanced Open Water training dives. These are all completed with your Dive Instructor. On successful completion, you’ll be a certified PADI Advanced Open Water Diver able to dive to a maximum depth of 30m (100 feet) with a buddy, anywhere in the world. The 4 day / 3 night course also provides you with the time and opportunity to complete 4 unguided buddy dives, giving you the freedom to put your scuba skills to work and explore more of the reef. Which reef sites you will be diving on will be determined by the prevailing weather at the time of your course, the best sites will be chosen to maximise diver comfort on the day. You will dive on a few different reef locations, As OceanQuest moves during your time at sea.
OceanQuest is a very comfortable floating hotel, for your Great Barrier Reef stay. The 34.5m catamaran can host up to 48 guests, staying in its 4 double cabins, 18 twin cabins and 1 quad share room. All of the cabins are air conditioned, with their own private ensuite. Most of the cabins have windows, providing sea views. Linen and bath towels are provided (bring an ocean towel for use on the dive deck). All cabins have power outlets, to charge devices. OceanQuest has 3 decks offering a range of shared spaces, including the air conditioned dining room and upstairs lounge and bar, to the exterior dive deck and back deck.
OceanQuest has 4 double cabins, which are allocated on a first in best dressed basis. The cabins are spacious and have their own ensuite for your privacy and comfort. Maximum number of guests in double cabins is 2 passengers.
There are 18 x twin share bunk bed cabins on OceanQuest. These all have their own ensuite for your privacy and comfort. Maximum number of guests in twin share cabins is 2 passengers.
There is 1 quad share cabin on OceanQuest. It has its own ensuite for your privacy and comfort. Maximum number of guests in the quad share cabin is 4 passengers.
Divers Den has 19 moorings at 3 different reefs, Saxon, Hastings and Norman Reef. These are all considered Outer Reefs and generally have excellent underwater visibility and abundance of marine life. They are all suitable for people completing their Open Water and Advanced Open Water training dives. During your 4 days / 3 nights on OceanQuest, the boat will move to a few different sites, allowing you to explore multiple locations. Which reefs and sites you will visit, is determined by the weather, tides and current during your time at sea.
All meals during your time on the Great Barrier Reef are included in your dive course price. There are no meals provided on the 2 x classroom and pool practice days in Cairns. On your day of transfer from Cairns to OceanQuest, you will enjoy morning tea and a tropical buffet lunch on the day boat. Then dinner and dessert on OceanQuest. For each of the full days you spend on OceanQuest, there is a hot and cold buffet breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert. All meals are prepared fresh by the onboard chef. The menu changes daily to provide variety. The meals are plentiful and there’s fresh fruit available throughout the day for snacks, as well as tea, coffee and chilled water. Additional snacks, such as crisps and chocolate bars, soft drinks and other beverages, can be purchased at additional cost from the onboard bar. Speaking of the bar, OceanQuest is licensed and alcoholic beverages are available for sale, including beer, wine and cider. However, please note that once you have consumed alcohol you will not be permitted to enter the water again until the following day. The purchase of drinks and snacks is in addition to the price and the cost will be added to your room tab, which will be settled every day before lunch. Credit cards and cash are accepted.
Dietary requirements can be catered too with advance notice. Letting the team at the Dive Centre know during your pool and theory days is a great idea.
For the Great Barrier Reef component of your dive course, you should bring all of your clothing and swimwear (including warm clothes for the evening). A shower towel is provided in your cabin, but please bring an extra ocean towel. Also bring a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, toiletries and reusable water bottle, plus seasickness medication (if you need it). All dive equipment is provided and included and onboard OceanQuest.
Sleeping bags, pillows, extra luggage (can be safely stored at the Divers Den office at check in). Extra shoes. You will not be wearing shoes on the boat.
This Divers Den Cairns PADI Open Water & Advanced Diver Course combination package starts every day of the week, except Wednesdays. It takes 6 days to complete. The first 2 days are in Cairns, completing theory and pool practice sessions, with the next 4 days and 3 nights spent at the Great Barrier Reef. Dive Instructor to Student ratio are kept small at 10 to 1 for pool / theory days and 8 to 1 on Great Barrier Reef dives. The Divers Den dive training centre is located at 319 Draper Street, Parramatta Park, Cairns city. City accommodation transfers are provided and included. Days 3, 4, 5 and 6 are at the Great Barrier Reef, transfers to and from Cairns are provided and included. Please note: The itinerary below is based on the usual course schedule and is provided as a guide only. The timing and number of training dives completed each day may change due to weather, sea conditions or operational requirements. All 9 training dives required for certification will be provided as a part of the course, this includes 4 Open Water and 5 Advanced Open Water training dives. You have the opportunity to participate in an additional 4 certified dives in conjunction with the price. No refund or discount is provided should you choose not to do these dives.
Theory and Pool Training. The course gets underway at the Divers Den Dive Centre, which is located at 319 Draper St, Parramatta Park, Cairns. City accommodation transfers are available if required. Lunch is not included, so bring money for this.
Meeting your Dive Instructor and fellow dive students. Participating in the diver training pool sessions.
If you require transfers from your Cairns city accommodation, these commence at 9am and must be confirmed at the time of booking. This morning you start to learn some of the theory of scuba diving, in the air conditioned classrooms. Learning is guided by your Dive Instructor with videos and quizzes. This afternoon you practice scuba skills in the heated pool and complete the necessary 10 minute tread water test. There is a lunch break and lunch is at your own expense. You can bring it with you, with kitchen facilities at the Dive Centre, or purchase at nearby places. The first day ends around 5.30pm. Make sure you bring swimwear, a towel and money for lunch. Your Certified Dive Medical and passport or Australian Driver’s License.
Pool Training and Exams. The course continues at the Divers Den Dive Centre. Lunch is not included, so bring money for this.
Practising dive skills in the heated pool and completing academic work with a multiple choice exam. This day prepares you for tomorrow’s trip to the Great Barrier Reef, where you complete training dives in the open ocean.
Pick-ups are available from Cairns city accommodation and commence at 9am. This morning you continue practising dive skills in the heated pool and complete the 200m swim test. This afternoon you complete your theory and end with a multiple choice exam. There is a lunch break and as per yesterday, lunch is at your own expense. Make sure you bring swimwear and a towel, sunscreen and money for lunch.
Great Barrier Reef. Check in at the Divers Den Dive Centre, for a shuttle transfer to the Marlin Marina. Depart Cairns for your overnight trip to the Great Barrier Reef.
Scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef. Today you will complete 3 training dives on the reef and spend your first night on the reef.
If you require transfers from your Cairns city accommodation, these commence at 7.30am and must be confirmed at the time of booking. You will first head to the Dive Centre, with transfers provided from there to Marlin Marina. The boat departs Cairns at 8.30am and during the 90 minute journey to the reef, your Dive Instructor will provide dive briefings. This morning you will complete 1 training dive, followed by lunch at 12pm. You will complete another training dive before transferring from Divers Den’s day boat, to their liveaboard boat. Your third training dive is completed this afternoon. Make sure you bring: All clothing and swimwear required for the trip, including warm layers for evenings. 1 x towel (for ocean use – bed linen and bath towel are provided in the cabin), a hat, sunscreen, toiletries, seasickness medication and a refillable personal drink bottle. Please note OceanQuest is a licensed boat. Beverages can be purchased at additional cost at the saloon. There is no BYO. You can NOT drink and dive. Any drinking will be at the completion of your training dives for the day.
Great Barrier Reef. Wake up to watch the sunrise over the Coral Sea. Today you complete your Open Water dive training and start your Advanced Open Water training.
Becoming a certified PADI Open Water Diver! This morning you complete your Open Water Diver training dives with your Dive Instructor, and become a certified diver. This accomplishment means you can buddy dive anywhere in the world to a maximum depth of 18m. Celebrate with your first pleasure dive and explore the reef. Night dive tonight.
OceanQuest runs to a tight daily schedule. A hot and cold breakfast is served at 7.30am. Afterwards, it’s into the water for your fourth and final training dive at 8.30am. With a handshake underwater your training is now completed for the Open Water Diver course. You are now a certified diver. At 10.30am take your first unguided buddy dive. Lunch is served at 12.30pm. This afternoon you commence training dives for your Advanced Open Water Diver course, starting with Peak Performance Buoyancy. Dinner is served at 6pm and at 6.30pm you continue your Advanced Open Water Diver training with a Night Dive.
Great Barrier Reef. Wake up to watch the sunrise over the Coral Sea. Today you continue your Advanced Open Water Diver training.
Taking your first deep dive! This morning you’ll do your first deep dive down to 25-30m. This is part of your training and is done with your Dive Instructor. 2 more day dives. 1 night dive.
Breakfast is served at 7.30am and afterwards, it’s into the water for your second Advanced Open Water Diver training dive, the Deep Dive and Underwater Navigation dive. Lunch is served at 12.30pm. This afternoon you will complete your final daytime training dive (depending on Instructor availability) or have the chance to enjoy a recreational, buddy dive around the reef. Dinner is served at 6pm. At 6.30pm you take your final Advanced Open Water Diver course night dive.
Great Barrier Reef. It’s your last day at the Great Barrier Reef with the opportunity for 2 more certified dives.
Becoming an Advanced Open Water Diver. Also wake up early for a spectacular sunrise over the Coral Sea, it’s an amazing time of day on the water.
Breakfast is served at 7.30am and afterwards, there’s time for 2 certified dives. This will either complete your Advanced Open Water Diver training (if it wasn’t finished the day before) or be 2 recreational dives, where you can enjoy the freedom of unguided buddy diving. This concludes your water time at the Great Barrier Reef. Lunch served at 12.30pm and at 2.30pm you transfer back to the Divers Den day boat, which takes you back to Cairns. You arrive back around 5pm.
The minimum age to participate in a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course is 12 years old.
This Divers Den PADI course takes 6 days to complete. The first 2 days are classroom learning and pool training at their Cairns dive centre. The final 4 days and 3 nights are at the Great Barrier Reef, staying overnight on their liveaboard vessel OceanQuest. You will complete the necessary 4 open water training dives at the Great Barrier Reef, as well as the 5 necessary advanced open water training dives. Also the chance to complete 4 unguided buddy dives as a certified diver.
By doing both these courses together, you can consolidate your learning and dive time on the Great Barrier Reef. You are also provided with the opportunity to participate in 4 unguided buddy dives, giving you the ability to put into practice all the great scuba skills you have just learned. These two certifications will enable you to scuba dive at dive sites around the world, to the maximum depth of 30m. It’s a fabulous way to maximise your diving experience on the Great Barrier Reef.
No prior scuba diving experience is required. The PADI Open Water Diver course is a complete entry-level course designed for beginners with no previous scuba diving experience. You will spend the first two days learning dive theory and practising skills in Divers Den’s heated training pool before completing four supervised training dives on the Great Barrier Reef. This gives you all the experience you need, to move on to the Advanced Open Water Diver course.
Yes. You must be able to swim and be comfortable in the open ocean, which might have currents and waves. It is a PADI dive course requirement that you can swim 200m and tread water / float for 10 minutes. This is for your own safety and is a standard, international requirement for scuba divers. You will need to demonstrate this in the pool session component of your dive course.
You will complete 4 open water training dives and 5 advanced open water training dives on the Great Barrier Reef. This includes 2 night dives. You can then participate in an additional 4 day dives as a certified diver. So a total of 13 dives included in the course.
OceanQuest has 19 different moorings at Outer Great Barrier Reef locations. These are at Norman Reef, Saxon Reef and Hastings Reef. The exact reefs and dive sites are selected according to weather, sea conditions and diver comfort. OceanQuest will move during your time at sea, allowing you to explore multiple Great Barrier Reef dive sites.
Yes. After successfully completing the training dives and theory components, you will receive a PADI Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver certification, which allows you to dive anywhere in the world up to 30 metres depth with a dive buddy.
Yes everyone wanting to participate in a PADI Open Water Diver Course will need to complete a self-assessment Dive Medical, which will indicate if further medical assessment is required. This can be downloaded here. Filling out the self-assessment questionnaire accurately is vital for your safety. If further assessment is required, you’ll need to get a doctor’s letter / medical clearance before you start the course, this clearance must be dated no older than 90 days before time of issue and time of course commencement.
*Please note: Scuba diving is a strenuous activity and some health conditions, such as asthma, epilepsy, high blood pressure, chronic sinus issues and more, will prevent you from learning to dive. This is for your safety.
No. Scuba diving is not recommended during pregnancy. You can not learn to scuba dive if you are pregnant.
The liveaboard course price includes rental of all scuba diving equipment, PADI training materials, Dive Instructor supervision, pool training sessions and the 4 day / 3 night Great Barrier Reef trip, staying overnight on OceanQuest. All meals and linen are included in the 4 days at the Great Barrier Reef, including chilled water, tea and coffee. Additional snacks and beverages may be purchased but are at an additional cost. Please note: No meals are beverages are included in the 2 x days in Cairns, where you complete theory and pool practice sessions. This must be purchased and arranged at your own expense.
This 6 day / 3 night liveaboard dive course includes 4 days and 3 nights at the Great Barrier Reef, staying on the Divers Den liveaboard boat OceanQuest. It has air conditioned cabins, all of which have their own ensuite. Linen and a bath towel are included. You will visit several different Cairns Outer Great Barrier Reef sites, during your time at sea.
Yes. Solo travellers can book this course. You will meet other students during the classroom, pool and reef components. Twin and quad-share accommodation may be available aboard OceanQuest, subject to cabin allocation. This is on a first in, best dressed basis.
A certified diver can book an OceanQuest liveaboard package for the same dates, subject to availability. You will not be able to dive with the training group. However, once your dive student companion has become certified, you can do buddy dives together. This allows you to really share your Great Barrier Reef diving experience with your friend and/or family members.
Non-divers may also stay aboard OceanQuest, subject to availability and the package they book. This can make the course suitable for couples or families, where only one person is completing dive training. However, your schedules and in-water activities will differ while course training is underway. Snorkelling from OceanQuest is excellent, for non-diving companions / family members.
Divers Den also runs courses where the training dives can be completed on day tours to the Great Barrier Reef (instead of the overnight liveaboard). You will still complete the required course dives, but you will return to Cairns each day, rather than staying overnight at the reef. You could then book additional day tours to participate in any additional certified dives. This would be at extra cost to the course.
We strongly recommend booking your Divers Den liveaboard PADI Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver course as soon as you know your dates. OceanQuest does sell out, particularly during school holidays, so if you have cabin preferences or set dates, book as soon as you can.
Your Dive Instructor will provide additional guidance, time and support where needed. Divers Den is committed to supporting their dive students and have successfully certified over 150,000 divers. You are in safe, professional hands.
All seasickness medication is a prevention not a cure. If you’re worried about getting seasick, then it’s best to take the medication before getting on the boat. There’s lots of options and considerations to ensure you can still have the best time. We know, because we get seasick; which is why we’ve written a post on our top tips to prevent seasickness.
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