5 Day / 2 Night Liveaboard Learn to Dive

The course includes two days of classroom and pool training in Cairns, followed by a three-day, two-night liveaboard trip to the Outer Great Barrier Reef. Your package includes PADI learning materials, full tuition, scuba and snorkelling equipment, air fills, meals while at sea, cabin accommodation and transfers from Cairns city accommodation. You'll also have five additional recreational dives after completing your certification training.

No previous scuba diving experience is required. This beginner-friendly PADI Open Water Diver course teaches you everything you need to get started, from understanding scuba diving theory to practising essential skills in a swimming pool. You'll then apply your new skills during training dives on the Great Barrier Reef under the supervision of qualified instructors.

The course includes four training dives required for your PADI Open Water certification, followed by five additional recreational dives. These extra dives give you more opportunities to explore the Great Barrier Reef and practise your newly acquired skills. The package also offers the opportunity to experience a guided night dive.

Yes, provided you successfully complete all the course requirements. You'll learn the essential theory, demonstrate your skills in the pool and complete four open-water training dives on the Great Barrier Reef. Once your instructor confirms that you've met the required standards, you'll be eligible for your PADI Open Water Diver certification, which allows you to dive independently with a buddy within the limits of your training and certification.

The minimum age is 10 years. Participants younger than 12 must notify Divers Den before the course starts, as a private instructor is required. All participants must meet the course's swimming, medical and safety requirements. Contact the operator before booking if you are enrolling a child to confirm the arrangements and any applicable conditions.

You must be able to complete a 200-metre swim and tread water for 10 minutes. These assessments help demonstrate that you have the basic swimming ability and water confidence required for scuba training. You don't need to be a competitive swimmer, but you should be comfortable in the water and capable of completing both tests.

The first two days take place at Divers Den's Cairns training centre. You'll learn scuba diving theory, complete the required paperwork and practise essential diving skills in a purpose-built swimming pool. Your instructor will guide you through equipment use, underwater communication, buoyancy skills and important safety procedures before you head out to the reef.

You'll explore dive sites on the Outer Great Barrier Reef, travelling aboard OceanQuest. The vessel visits two outer reef locations per day, giving you opportunities to discover colourful coral gardens, tropical fish and other marine life. The exact dive sites depend on operational conditions and the schedule, but the trip is designed to provide a varied reef diving experience.

A liveaboard is a boat where you stay overnight rather than returning to shore each afternoon. During this course, you'll spend two nights aboard OceanQuest, with your accommodation, meals and diving activities organised as part of the trip. Staying on the reef allows you to enjoy early morning dives, additional recreational dives and the opportunity to experience the reef after dark.

Yes, two nights of liveaboard accommodation aboard OceanQuest are included. Divers Den offers different cabin arrangements, including twin or quad share and double cabins, with prices varying according to the selected option. Bedding and bath towels are supplied on board. Bring an overnight bag with clothing, toiletries and warmer items for the evenings.

Meals are included while you're aboard the liveaboard vessel. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and other meals are provided according to the onboard schedule. However, lunch is not included on the first two training days in Cairns, so you should bring a packed lunch or purchase food nearby. Check with Divers Den about any dietary requirements before departure.

All participants must complete the required diver medical questionnaire before starting the course. Depending on your answers, you may need a medical assessment and written clearance from a physician before participating. Some medical conditions and medications can affect your suitability for scuba diving, so review the medical requirements and contact Divers Den before booking if you have any concerns.