Standard PADI (or SSI) 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.

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:

Vessel	Starts	2008-9 Season	Cost (per person)
Scubapro	Every day except Sunday	01 April 08 to 31 March 09	AU$ 725 (berth in twin or double cabin)
Ocean Quest	Every day	01 April 08 to 31 March 09	AU$ 715 (in twin cabin) AU$ 735 (in double cabin)
Vessel	Starts	2009-10 Season	Cost (per person)
Scubapro	Every day except Sunday	01 April 09 to 31 March 10	AU$ 750 (berth in twin or double cabin)
Ocean Quest	Every day	01 April 09 to 31 March 10	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

Standard PADI 4 Day Open Water Course

• Day 3: Pick up at 8am from your accommodation in Cairns. Transfer out to the Great Barrier Reef aboard your transfer vessel. Today, you will have two training dives. Start of the practical part of the education which takes place as part of a 2days/1night cruise to the outer Barrier Reef. At 2.30pm, you will be transfered to the liveaboard vessel where you will spend the night.

• Day 4: 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 transfer vessel returns to Cairns at approx. 5pm.