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Learn to dive in Cairns and earn your scuba diving certification on the Great Barrier Reef. That’s living the dream right, so make it happen. Cairns has several internationally recognised gold standard dive centres and professional Dive Instructors, with an absolute commitment to your safety and dive training. Best of all, you complete your course with dives on the Great Barrier Reef and there’s no better ‘classroom’ on the planet. Warm clear waters, coral gardens and an abundance of marine life, waiting to welcome you to their underwater world. We all learned to dive in Cairns, each with a different operator. We’ve prepared this page to allow you to compare the different courses. We look at the options, course duration, inclusions and day trips versus liveaboard packages. We also check in on advanced diver courses, which can be completed in conjunction with a learn to dive course, or separately. This is our guide on Cairns’ learn to dive courses.
Scuba diving is a technical activity. Each course includes theory and a written test, practice dives in a pool and ocean dives. Certain health conditions may prevent you from learning to dive in Cairns (and Australia). This includes asthma, high blood pressure, epilepsy, heart disease, diabetes, chronic middle ear conditions and being pregnant. All participants must complete a diver medical questionnaire before participating. Depending on your answers, age, medical history and the operator’s requirements, you may also need a medical examination and clearance from an appropriately qualified doctor.
Our Expert Advice: Julie and Richard have completed Open Water and Advanced Diver certifications in Cairns. Ethan completed his Junior Open Water Diver certification when he was 10 years old, this automatically becomes an Open Water certification when he turns 15. We know what the boats are like. We know the differences between the operators. If you’re trying to decide which learn to dive in Cairns course is right for you, we’re here to help, so hit us up for some honest advice. If you like what we do, please book through us; the course price is exactly the same and the commission supports us to continue to supply unbiased reviews and advice.
Get a free underwater camera rental when you book tours through us valued at over $750, we’ll lend you a GoPro underwater camera to use for the duration of your tours. Numbers are limited and allocated on a first-come basis. Get in touch with us to claim this deal today.
It’s important to know that the fundamentals of all learn to dive in Cairns courses are the same. That’s because you’ll be completing a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) dive training program, which is internationally recognised and delivered to global standards. The main points of difference are course duration, how many dives are included in the price and whether or not your Great Barrier Reef component is delivered on day trips, or on a liveaboard boat which stays at sea overnight. We’ve hand-picked the below for value for money and flexibility of course delivery and reef experience.
PADI Open Water Course. Can be done as a 5 or 4 day course. Both include 3 day / 2 night liveaboard trip. Up to 9 dives.
PADI Open Water Course. 4 day course, including 2 day tours to the Great Barrier Reef. 4 dives.
PADI Open Water Course. 4 day course, including 2 Great Barrier Reef day trips. Up to 5 dives.
PADI Open Water Course. 4 day course, including 2 day / 1 night Great Barrier Reef liveaboard. 4 dives.
PADI Open Water Course. 5 day course, including 3 day / 2 night Great Barrier Reef liveaboard. 9 dives.
PADI Open Water & Advanced Open Water Course. 6 day course, including 4 day / 3 night Great Barrier Reef liveaboard. 13 dives.
PADI Advanced Open Water Course. 2 day course, including sleeping at the Great Barrier Reef. 6 dives.
Choosing the right Cairns learn to dive course for you, comes down to budget and reef tour preference. There are no bad courses, operators or dive schools in Cairns. All offer professional instructors and tuition with a focus on safety and diver confidence. However, the wrong choice may lead to less dives, or more time in the classroom than you’d like. We are here to help, matching your priorities with the best course to deliver for you.
If you want to minimise your classroom time on holiday, and maximise your dive time at the reef, then you should choose a course that allows for online learning. This reduces your theory and pool time down from 2 days to 1 day, followed by training dives on the Great Barrier Reef. The online learning must be successfully completed prior to your arrival in Cairns, with evidence provided. Our Recommendation – Pro Dive Cairns. Pro Dive Cairns provide the option to complete some theory via online learning: their learn to dive courses include a 3 day / 2 night liveaboard stay on the reef, giving you maximum dive time.
All Cairns learn to dive courses include at least 2 days on the Great Barrier Reef, where you will complete the mandatory 4 training dives to become a certified scuba diver. You can choose to do this on 2 x separate and consecutive day tours, or you can choose to go on a liveaboard boat where you stay overnight at sea, in cabin accommodation. Our Recommendation – Divers Den or Pro Dive Cairns. Both of these operators offer overnight reef stays in conjunction with their learn to dive courses. Divers Den starts from 2 days / 1 night (which can be extended to suit your preference / budget). Pro Dive Cairns is a minimum 3 days / 2 nights.
All PADI Open Water learn to dive courses include a mandatory 4 training dives. In Cairns, these are completed under the supervision of your Dive Instructor at the Great Barrier Reef. Some operators provide additional dives in conjunction with their course cost, which provides better value for money and more dive time for you. Our Recommendation – Pro Dive Cairns. The Pro Dive course provides you with the opportunity to complete up to 9 dives, including 1 night dive. This is the best bang for buck, to maximise your Great Barrier Reef dive time, while learning to dive.
No problem, this is more common than you think. Often couples, friends and/or multi-generational families travelling together, might not all want (or need) to learn to dive in Cairns. Some may already be certified divers. Some might be happy snorkellers. In this instance, how do you maximise the Great Barrier Reef time for everyone? Simple. While you complete your theory and classroom days, your companions can relax and explore Cairns. Then on your Great Barrier Reef days, day tours or liveaboard trips, you can all travel together and spend time together when you aren’t doing training dives. Our Recommendation. Lots of choices here. Contact Richard to discuss the best option for you and your group.
Please note all Cairns learn to dive courses include time spent in the classroom and pool in Cairns, before going to the reef. Why? Theory and passing a written assessment are a part of the course, as is demonstrating your ability to swim. It is a PADI Open Water Diver course requirement that you can swim 200m or snorkel 300m and be able to tread water / float for 10 minutes. This is tested in a controlled pool environment in Cairns, before heading to the open ocean. This is for your safety. Core skills are practised in the pool, before going to the reef, this includes mask clearing and breathing underwater. This ensures you are comfortable with the basic skills required for diving, before entering an open water environment where current and waves may be present.
We have kind of touched on this above. All dive courses include the mandatory 4 open water training dives, completed with your Dive Instructor at the Great Barrier Reef. Some operators will include additional, recreational dives in conjunction with their course price (Pro Dive Cairns and Down Under Cruise), while others allow you to book additional dives either on a separate day tour or stay on a liveaboard boat. Our Recommendation. There are a few different factors here, to allow us to provide the best recommendation for you, contact Richard on 0410 510 214 or richard@ilovecairns.com.au
If you want to maximise your dive time and experience on the Great Barrier Reef, whilst getting the best skills training possible, then combining the Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver course is a great option. On successful completion you will be a certified Advanced Open Water Diver able to dive to 30m / 100 feet with a buddy. You will also have notched up 13 scuba dives on the Great Barrier Reef and spent some very memorable moments on the Coral Sea. Come to Cairns as a beginner, leave ready to dive around the world. Our Recommendation. Divers Den’s combined PADI Open Water & Advanced Open Water Diver course. 6 day course, including 4 days and 3 nights staying at the Great Barrier Reef.
Scuba diving is lots of fun, but it’s also a technical activity that has inherent risks. To ensure your safety during training and as a certified scuba diver, a certain element of theory must be learned and tested, before you enter the water. This is called Knowledge Development and is completed in a classroom and/or online. The principles covered here include but are not limited to: water pressure and air volume effects, the importance of equalisation and breathing underwater. You will also learn about scuba diving equipment, the buddy system, underwater communication, health and safety and common problems and how to respond in an emergency situation. In the classroom this is lead by your Dive Instructor, supported by videos and small quizzes, with a written assessment at the end. The theory is not particularly difficult and is a very important part of learning to dive. You can choose to complete this online through PADI eLearning, prior to your arrival to Cairns, or in the classroom in Cairns. The Dive Instructors are on hand to answer questions and provide support throughout the learning process.
When you are learning to dive in Cairns, the confined water dives component of the course is completed in heated indoor pools. This allows you to practice core scuba skills in a calm, controlled water environment, under the direct supervision of your Dive Instructor. It’s small group classes with lots of time for questions. Some of the learning and skills outcomes of this section of the course includes but is not limited to: assembling and putting on your scuba equipment, breathing underwater through a regulator, removing and replacing your mask underwater, equalising and practicing buoyancy control. You also practice the critical skills of controlled descents and ascents, checking your air supply, underwater communication, sharing air with a buddy and handling situations, including cramping. The confined water dives are instructor led, with demonstrations being provided and lots of practice until you can do it safely. By choosing Cairns as your preferred destination to learn to dive, you can choose between several gold standard operators who have successfully taught tens of thousands of people to scuba dive. World class facilities, equipment and professional Dive Instructors.
The finale of your learn to dive in Cairns course, is the open water dives on the Great Barrier Reef. This is where you take all the skills and information learned in class and the pool and put them into practice in the ocean. This includes preparing and assembling dive equipment, completing buddy checks, safe descent and ascent, clearing and recovering your regulator, clearing your mask, monitoring depth and air supply, underwater communication, buddy breathing, safety stops and more. To become a certified PADI Open Water Diver you must successfully complete 4 open water dives with your Dive Instructor, demonstrating your ability to dive safely and master core scuba skills. The exact order that skills are tested are spread across the 4 dives, pending water and surface conditions. These dives are completed over 2 days, either on day tours or aboard a liveaboard boat. It’s a structured and supportive learning environment, with the Dive Instructor on-hand to answer questions throughout the process. Please note these training dives do include a component of recreational diving, where your Dive Instructor will guide you around the Great Barrier Reef.
As above, you will complete 4 open water training dives as a part of your PADI Open Water Diver course, over 2 days. How you do it is up to you. You can choose an operator that completes its training courses on 2 day trips to the reef, or choose a course that includes a liveaboard trip where you stay overnight on the reef (more on this below). The day tour option means if you are travelling with non-diving companions, they can come on the boat and go snorkelling and enjoy a fabulous Great Barrier Reef day tour, while you are completing your training dives. You can have lunch together and have shared experiences. If your companions are non-swimmers and/or do not want to go to the reef, then you are back on land with them at the start and end of each day. This option might also suit dive students and/or their companions that are worried about getting seasick. The dive courses with day tours include transfers to and from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef, dive equipment rental, your Dive Instructor, lunch and refreshments.
Some learn to dive in Cairns courses provide the option to complete your open water training dives from a liveaboard boat. An absolute benefit of this is early morning and late afternoon dives, sometimes considered the best time of day for diving. Sunsets at sea are also pretty amazing. This option is suitable for those travelling solo and/or with non-diving but snorkelling companions. They can enjoy all the benefits of a liveaboard trip, including lots of snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, while you complete dive training. When you are not in the water, you can spend time together. The dive courses that include liveaboard tours include transfers to and from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef, dive equipment rental, your Dive Instructor, accommodation and all meals while at sea. Generally speaking, liveaboard course tours also provide more opportunities for additional recreational dives, either included in the cost or as an optional extra, depending which operator you choose.
Learning to dive in Cairns and getting certified on the Great Barrier Reef is a bucket list experience. We’ve got the people, the operators and the expertise to deliver first class dive courses taking you from beginner to certified, in just 4 days. Dive courses start most days of the week, but due to small numbers on classes, it’s best to book early to secure your preferred dates. Also take the time to consider if you want to complete online learning prior to arrival, to reduce classroom time, and if you think your open water training dives should be completed on day tours or a liveaboard boat. If you are unsure what is best for you, or you are travelling with a mixed group of friends and family and are seeking advice on the best way to maximise all of your time here, contact Richard. We give unbiased advice and are genuinely committed to ensuring you have the very best time, while learning to dive in Cairns.
Yes. Cairns is a great place to learn to scuba dive. We are closest town to the Great Barrier Reef, so there’s less time travelling and more time diving. We have several dive schools teaching PADI Open Water Diver courses, with professional Dive Instructors and facilities. You can choose to complete your open water training dives on day tours to the Great Barrier Reef or a liveaboard boat, which stays at the reef overnight. Lots of options. Courses start every day.
Yes. It is a requirement of the PADI Open Water Diver course that you have reasonable fitness and the ability to swim. In addition, you will be required to demonstrate that you can float or tread water for 10 minutes, without flotation devices or aids. You will also need to show you can swim 200m with no aids or 300m with a mask, fins and snorkel. This will be tested during the confined water component of the course.
Yes. The minimum age to participate in a PADI Open Water Diver course is 10 years old. Please note the course is the same for children and adults, as Junior Open Water Divers automatically upgrade to being Open Water Divers when they turn 15 years old. For more information on kids learning to dive on the Great Barrier Reef, see our review of our son’s course. Some Cairns dive schools will require you to book a private instructor, if your child is under 12 years of age.
There is no maximum age, but there are health requirements.
Yes. Certain health conditions will prevent you from learning to dive. This includes asthma, high blood pressure, epilepsy, heart disease, diabetes, chronic middle ear conditions and being pregnant.
There are other conditions which won’t prevent you from learning to dive, but might require you to get a doctor’s letter or medical clearance to dive.
To avoid disappointment, we strongly suggest downloading and reviewing the Diver Medical form which provides additional details and information surrounding medical requirements and conditions.
The minimum duration of a Cairns lean to dive course is 4 days, which includes 2 days of classroom and pool and 2 days at the Great Barrier Reef. You can extend your course time to allow for extra recreational dives.
The course price covers everything needed for you to become a certified Open Water Diver. This includes: theory and manuals, classroom training, confined water dive training in swimming pools, open water dive training at the Great Barrier Reef, scuba equipment rental and certification fees. The course cost does also cover meals on your Great Barrier Reef component of the course, but not on Cairns-based days.
What’s not included: meals and beverages on Cairns-based days, additional beverages and snacks on reef days and a fuel / reef levy.
No problems. We have helped many multi-generational family groups and friends pick the best course to provide them with certification, whilst still ensuring the group all get to spend time together and enjoy the Great Barrier Reef. This is not a ‘one size fits all’ scenario, so please contact Richard for the best personalised advice.
The maximum depth a PADI Open Water Diver can go is 18m / 60 foot. Please note that in our opinion, some of the best diving is the top 12m of water, there is where there’s lots of colour in the corals.
Not immediately. As a dive course involves several dives over consecutive days, you will need to allow time for the excess nitrogen to leave your body prior to flying and going to elevation. If you planning your trip, we recommend a minimum of 24 hours delay between your final dive and your flights.
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