Dive Training / Open Water

There are many options to learn to dive, including:

5 Day PADI Open Water Course incl. 3 Day Barrier Reef Cruise, Cairns	from AU$ 745
4 Day PADI Budget Open Water Course, Cairns	from AU$ 540
4 Day PADI Open Water Course, Cairns	from AU$ 625
3 Day PADI Referral Open Water Course, Cairns	from AU$ 675
OW course in combination with dive cruises or resort stays       in Australia, PNG, Indonesia, Micronesia, etc.	Please enquire

Recommended PADI 5 Day Open Water Course

This course starts daily and is being offered by all major dive schools in Cairns who provide excellent educational standards and safety procedures. The average group would be between 6 and 12 students per course. The learning speed is relatively high, given the limited time.

• Days 1 and 2: Two days pool and classroom education. On day one, you have to pass a dive medical examination at the training centre. At the end of day two, your course includes the option of attending "Reef Teach", a 2-hour marine biology presentation (at additional cost - Pro Dive only). Days start at 8.30am and end at approx. 5.30pm with a short lunch break. Important physical prerequisites are the ability to easily swim a 200m distance (no time limit). Please bring along: towel, swimwear, money, pen, two passport size photographs.

• Day 3: Pick up at 6am from your accommodation in Cairns. Today you will have two training dives. Start of the practical part of the education which takes place as part of a 3days/2nights cruise to the outer Barrier Reef. This is the best way to "dive" into the wonders of diving. The first four dives will be your training dives for your open water certification where you will practice all the skills already learned in the pool.

• Day 4: Two more training dives, receive your open water certificate. After successful completion, you receive your certification and do your first dive without your instructor. Last dive of the day will be a night dive (weather permitting). Because this is your first night dive, an instructor will be leading the group of divers.

• Day 5: Three more dives with your buddy before the boat heads back towards Cairns. Arrival back in Cairns at approximately 4pm.

A 5-day Open Water course in conjunction with Scubapro or Ocean Quest appears slightly more expensive than courses offered with other dive operators. In fact, for the slightly higher price you can expect a higher level of comfort on their vessels and more value included than in the cheaper courses (see details below).

Australian law requires that a dive medical has to be undertaken by a qualified Australian physician. This will be taken in the dive school during the fist day. However, it's a good idea to get your diving fitness tested before you travel to avoid disappointment. Definite contradictions to diving are Diabetes I or II, Asthma, Pneumothorax (Scarred lung), Epilepsy, Tuberculosis, Heart diseases and Pregnancy.

Depending on the starting day of the course, the 3 day/2 night excursion can be made using different specialised diving vessels:

2010-11 Season (01 April 10 to 31 March 11):
Vessel	Starts	Cost (per person)
Scubapro	Every day except Sunday	AU$ 775 (berth in twin or double cabin)
Ocean Quest	Every day	AU$ 745 (in twin cabin) AU$ 765 (in double cabin)
Inclusions - On Land: 2 days pool and classroom training PADI Open Water Certificate, manual and log book to keep all stationery needed during the course 2 x passport photos needed for certification (included with Scubapro only) Scubapro: includes dive insurance Scubapro: accommodation transfers daily (Cairns and Northern Beaches) Ocean Quest: city accommodation transfers daily (Beaches pick-up at additional cost of AU$20 per person) complete set of quality hire scuba gear (use of prescription mask if necessary) Inclusions - At Sea: 2 nights accommodation on board vessel (cabin as booked) all meals whilst on board bed linen (no towels included) all dive and snorkelling equipment Extras not included: Environmental Management and Fuel surcharges AU$5 for 2 passport photos or bring your own (Ocean Quest only) AU$55 for a dive medical in accordance with Australian Standard AS4005-1. This medical must be done within Australia. Medicals from overseas doctors will not be accepted. (All vessels) More details on dive medicals

Budget 4 Day PADI Open Water Course (Day Boat Option)

The 4-day day boat dive course option is designed for the traveller who is short of time and wants to learn the basics to dive in 4 days only. Courses start daily.

• Days 1 and 2: Two days pool training and classroom education. On day one you have to pass a dive medical examination at the training centre. Both days start at 9am and end at approx. 5pm with a short lunch break. Important physical prerequisites are the ability to easily swim a 200m distance (no time limit). Please bring along: towel, swimwear, money, pen, two passport size photographs.
  

• Day 3: Check in at 9 am at the Pier in Cairns. Board your day trip to the Great Barrier Reef. Today, you will have two training dives. Start of the practical part of the education which takes place as part of the 2day cruises to the outer Barrier Reef. Return to Cairns around 5 pm.

• Day 4: Check in at 9 am at the Pier in Cairns. Two more training dives take place in the morning and you receive your open water certificate after lunch. After successful completion, you can do one fun dive without an instructor (time permitting) before heading back to Cairns. The vessel returns to Cairns at approx. 5 pm.

4 Day PADI Open Water Course (Liveaboard Option)

The 4-day liveaboard dive course option is designed for the traveller who is short of time and wants to learn to dive in 4 days and get the opportunity to spend the night on the reef. Courses start daily.

• Days 1 and 2: Two days pool training and classroom education. On day one you have to pass a dive medical examination at the training centre. Both days start at 9am and end at approx. 5pm with a short lunch break. Important physical prerequisites are the ability to easily swim a 200m distance (no time limit). Please bring along: towel, swimwear, money, pen, two passport size photographs.
  

3 Day PADI Referral Open Water Course

You can already start your PADI Open Water Course from home, and take the pool and theory component with your local dive school. Once completed, you will need to bring a referral letter from your PADI instructor. You also need to take the dive medical in Cairns.

You then start with "day 3" of the course by joining one of the 3 day/2 night liveaboard cruises where you make your 4 training dives together with the other students. You then also get your free dives for the rest of the trip once certified.

• Day 1: Pick-up at 6am from your accommodation in Cairns. Today you make two training dives which form the start of the practical part of the education. This is the best way to "dive" into the wonders of diving. The first four dives will be your training dives for your open water certification where you will practice all the skills already learned in the pool.
  
• Day 2: Two more training dives, then after successful completion, you receive your Open Water certification. You are now free to make your first dive without your instructor. Last dive of the day will be a night dive (weather permitting). Because this is your first night dive, an instructor will be leading the group of divers.
• Day 3: Three more dives with your buddy before the boat heads back towards Cairns. Arrival into Cairns at approximately 3.00pm.