4-Day PADI Open Water Dive Course - Learn to Dive on the Great Barrier Reef
Overview
Available languages
96 hours
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Take the opportunity to learn to dive while you’re in Cairns! With classes limited to eight participants, led by professional and friendly instructors, you’ll learn to dive and earn an internationally recognized PADI certification on your 4-day PADI Open Water dive course. Hotel transfers are included each day, and your course is gradual and safe. Learn basic scuba skills in the classroom, a pool, and confined water dives, then explore the Great Barrier Reef on open-water dives. Once you have successfully completed your course, you’ll be a qualified PADI diver!
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
In our commitment to the safety of our guests, divers over 45 years for PADI dive courses must have a medical clearance with a physician the confirms they are Fit To Dive. This can be provided by your own GP before your course start date.
Diving within 24 hours before your flight is not permitted. All participants will be required to complete a health/medication questionnaire prior to diving. Please be aware that certain medical conditions (e.g. asthma, heart disease, diabetes) and ANY prescription medications will require a letter or email from a doctor clearing you to dive. The clearance must state your full name, the doctor's name and practice and the clearance to dive for the specific medication/condition. If you have a certain medical condition or are taking prescription medication, please review the operators Certified Diver Medical Questionnaire prior to your course start date.
Students must be able to complete a basic swimming and floating test to complete this course.
Please bring sunscreen, hat, change of clothes, swimsuit and a towel and cash or credit card for on board payment/purchases (fares, soft drink, chocolates, underwater camera, T-shirts)
Minimum age is 12 years
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
The PADI open water course is the leading certification course for scuba divers and suitable for complete beginners. During your 4-day training course, spend the first two days learning the theory with classroom lessons and practice basic scuba diving skills, safety drills, and correct ascending and descending techniques during training sessions in a swimming pool. Once you are fully prepared, put your skills to the test in the open waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Enjoy two full-day cruises to the outer reef, each including two guided scuba dives—four dives in all—and experience the underwater wonders of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your instructor will be with you every step of the way to ensure that you stay safe and maximize your chances of spotting marine life, such as tropical fish, reef sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles. Both cruises include a delicious barbecue lunch served on board. Upon completion of the course, you will receive your PADI Open Water Dive Certificate, which allows you to scuba dive up to a depth of 60 feet (18 meters), join certified dive tours, rent diving equipment, and take part in advanced PADI diving courses.
What‘s Included
All Fees and Taxes
Learn dive theory with classroom lessons and practice in pool sessions
Lunch onboard Evolution days 3 and 4
Cairns City accommodation transfers every day
Two full day cruises onboard to the outer reef onboard the most luxurious catamaran, Evolution
All applicable PADI training material
4 x Outer Great Barrier Reef Dives and 1 x FREE Fun Dive!
Lunch on days 1 & 2
Accommodation
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
4-Day Learn to Dive Course
Lunch on Day 3 and 4: BBQ lunch prepared onboard with fresh fish, prawns, steak, salads (Veg, GF, DF & Vegan options)
Pickup included
4-Day PADI Open Water Dive Course - Learn to Dive on the Great Barrier Reef
Pickup included
Reviews
27 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Solo traveler that has got a new hobby
arneg303,,Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Francesco is a great instructor and even greater human being. I enjoyed this course even more than i expected and I am now fully addicted to Diving. Thank you for a amazing experience food was good and crew was nice. Please give Francesco a raise he deserves it.
Fantastic learning experience
W7749EJlukem,,Jul 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00From the friendly and approachable staff to the impressively-sized boat, all aspects of this Open Water Dive Course were an immense pleasure. My instructor Frankie was thorough in his teaching of practical techniques, with a particular focus on safety and fun. I can't recommend Down Under Cruise & Dive enough, and look forward to returning to them for future dives!
Scube course great barrier reef
jakebZ8547YT,,Apr 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really enjoyed the course especially when you go to the reef and scuba My instructer frankie was great easy to understand and really helpful Would highly recommend using this company
Frankie’s kids are well taken care of!
Tony O,,Apr 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00“Frankie’s kids” is the endearing term for students of instructor Francesco. I can absolutely confirm that Frankie took a watchful hands-on and reassuringly paternal approach to our dive training, with his skills and experience (and humour) ensuring we have the confidence to both enjoy and complete the 4-day course. I was particularly impressed with how my daughter was supported and encouraged throughout, as she was quite nervous of deep water. A fantastic experience and I highly recommend!
Loved it
bj nn mundn2020,,Jan 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Simply put, if you want to go diving, this place is IT. I did The open water course, and it was incredible, franki (our teacher) is The most amazing guy. With his knowledge and passion he made this a 4 day adventure for us.
Brilliant!!!
Rositsa T,,Oct 4, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent!!!If I can give 50 starts review,I would.The best thing I did to myself was booking this course.I always have fear of deep water and just in four days I was able to dive down to 16 meters.I still can’t believe I did that.All this thanks to Frankie,he was amazing,helped me so much.I will never be able to put in words how grateful I am.Make yourself favor and book this course if you want to learn to dive or if you want to face your fear ( like me).Also,really cool to tell people,you leant to dive in Great Barrier Reef.I high recommend it.
Word-class experience
W7230DTdouglast,,Jul 15, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The 4-day open water PADI dive course was one of the best experiences I've had. Every aspect of the course was extremely high quality and professional, from the gorgeous boat and reefs to the hospitality of the instructor. Frankie was incredibly accommodating and went out of his way to ensure we had the best time possible, and the places he took us diving were incredibly beautiful. The course was also extremely good value for money. Couldn't recommend this experience to anyone more!
'Frank'ly Amazing 🦈🪸🐟🐠
H1079EBjamesf,,Jul 8, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00All round amazing experience! Explored the Great Barrier Reef while also getting our PADI open water certification! 1. The first two days of practice and theory was well run with: - concise notes with digestable learning - practice dives with clear instructions and tailored advice 2. The two days out at the reef were fabulous with: - Tours to fantastic dive locations at Saxon and North Hastings Reef - Friendly and helpful crew - Great spread of food on board - Saw an array of aquatic life, my favourite was the white tipped reef sharks and giant clams. 3. Franky who ran the course was Frankly amazing. Honestly made the experience so worthwhile with great knowledge, patience and banter. If you go, I hope you get Franky! Highly recommend! 5 Star!
Excellent dive instructor.
837stormr,,Jun 24, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I recently completed the PADI dive course with my 15 year old son. The course was well-structured and provided a thorough understanding of diving essentials. Our instructor Frankie, was incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and supportive throughout the entire course. I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in diving – it exceeded all my expectations!
Open Water Dive Course
294franziskae,,May 15, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Learning how to dive with instructor Francesco and the team at Downunder Cruise and Dive was the best choice I could have made. The first two days consist of theory and exercises in the pool, day 3 and 4 are spent on the boat diving in two different beautiful reefs. I felt very comfortable and safe. The quality of the course is very high and the value for money compared to other providers is unbeatable in my opinion. The passion of the whole team and especially of Frankie is definitely transferred to the students and gives you unforgettable moments underwater. I highly recommend doing your Open Water Diver here. I had an amazing time and would always do it again.
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Operated by Down Under Cruise and Dive