Divers Den PADI Open Water Course (4 Day 1 Night Liveaboard)

Map View Full Details Reviews

Learn to dive in Cairns and qualify on the Great Barrier Reef: two days of pool and theory at a PADI five-star dive centre, then a night on the reef aboard the liveaboard OceanQuest, where you make your four training dives and finish as a certified PADI Open Water Diver.

Days

4 days, 1 night

Age

10 and over

Group size

Dive course on a shared liveaboard

Start / finish

Cairns / outer Great Barrier Reef / Cairns
Cairns, mid-to-late afternoon on day 4

Return

Cairns, mid-to-late afternoon on day 4

Accommodation

1 night on board OceanQuest, cabin with en-suite; own arrangements in Cairns

Transport

Hotel pick-ups, shuttle to the marina, day boat and liveaboard OceanQuest

Meals

Meals on board: lunch and dinner day 3, breakfast and lunch day 4

Route

Map of Divers Den PADI Open Water Course (4 Day 1 Night Liveaboard)

View map

Included experiences

Divers Den training centre — two days of pool skills and PADI theory
Outer Great Barrier Reef — four open water training dives
Saxon, Norman and Hastings reefs — the liveaboard's moorings
Fish After Dark — night snorkel from OceanQuest, weather permitting
OceanQuest — a night on the reef aboard a 35 metre dive catamaran

Divers Den PADI Open Water Course (4 Day 1 Night Liveaboard)

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

DAY 1: POOL AND THEORY IN CAIRNS

Your course starts with a morning pick-up from your accommodation and a ride to the Divers Den training centre, a PADI five-star dive centre in Cairns. The city was founded in 1876 and named after William Wellington Cairns, then Governor of Queensland. The morning is paperwork, meeting your instructor and starting the theory: how pressure squeezes the air in your mask, your ears and your jacket as you go down. In the afternoon you're in the pool, breathing underwater for the first time and learning to clear your mask and recover your regulator. The day ends with the 10 minute tread-water test, and you're dropped back at about 5:30pm.

DAY 2: POOL, SWIM TEST AND EXAM

Another morning pick-up, and today the pool work is in full wetsuit and gear, so the skills start to feel like real diving: hovering, sharing air with a buddy, a controlled swim to the surface. You also swim the 200 metres of the swim test, at any pace and in any stroke you like. In the afternoon you finish the theory review and sit the multiple-choice exam, then you're back at your accommodation at about 5:30pm. Lunch on both pool days is your own, and the centre has a kitchen you can use.

DAY 3: OUT TO THE REEF AND ONTO OCEANQUEST

An early start: you check in at the dive centre on Draper Street, where spare bags can stay, and take the shuttle to Cairns Marlin Marina on Trinity Inlet. Your briefing happens during the 90 minute run out to the outer Great Barrier Reef, World Heritage-listed since 1981 and running about 2,300 km down the Queensland coast. After lunch you make your first two open water training dives, putting the pool skills to work over real coral. Tonight you sleep on OceanQuest, a three-deck, 35 metre catamaran built for diving, in a cabin with its own en-suite. Night dives are for certified divers, but if the weather allows you can join the Fish After Dark night snorkel.

Overnight: On board OceanQuest at the outer reef

DAY 4: CERTIFIED ON THE REEF AND BACK TO CAIRNS

You wake on the reef for a hot breakfast, then make your third and fourth training dives in the morning from the moorings at Norman Reef, Saxon Reef and Hastings Reef, which sit close together on the outer reef north-east of Cairns. When the last one is signed off you're a certified PADI Open Water Diver, qualified to dive to 18 metres with a buddy anywhere in the world. Look out for clownfish in the anemones: every one is born male, and the biggest in the group turns female. After lunch on board, the transfer boat takes you back to Cairns in the afternoon.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from Cairns city accommodation at 9am on days 1 and 2, and between 7:30 and 8am on day 3 for check-in at the Divers Den dive centre, 319 Draper Street.
Finishes: Day 4, with the transfer boat leaving the reef at about 2:30pm for Cairns Marina and your accommodation.
Minimum age: 10. Under 12s must be declared before the course as they need a private instructor. Under 16s must have a parent, guardian or nominated adult with them; 16 and 17 year olds can come alone with written parental consent; you must be 18 to stay on the liveaboard without an adult.
Fitness: You must swim 200 metres and tread water for 10 minutes. Complete the self-assessed medical form before you start; if you answer yes to any question you need a doctor's clearance before training.
Accommodation note: OceanQuest has twin, quad share and double cabins, each air-conditioned with an en-suite.
Please note: Under Queensland's code, wait at least 12 hours after a single dive, and 24 hours after repeat dives over several days, before flying or going above 300 metres, which includes the Atherton Tablelands.

What to bring

Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Swimsuit and towel
Packed lunch for the two pool days
Overnight bag with warm clothes and socks for the night
Toiletries

What is included

PADI Open Water Diver course with full tuition and all PADI materials
Two days of pool and theory training in Cairns
Four open water training dives on the outer Great Barrier Reef
One night on OceanQuest in an air-conditioned cabin with en-suite, bedding and towels
Meals while on board, with chilled water, tea and coffee
All dive and snorkel gear, and air fills
Transfers from Cairns city accommodation
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park environmental charge

Not included

Lunch on the two pool days
Soft drinks, alcohol and snacks
Digital camera hire and photos
A doctor's medical clearance, if you need one
The optional PADI Aware eco specialty add-on

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 4 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

James was our instructor and he's the best. He was patient and calm with our chaotic class, explained everything thoroughly, took safety seriously, and we all earned our Open Water certificates. The overnight on the liveaboard had beautiful reef sites, good dives and good food.

Andrea Verified· Travelled 17th October 2026

Read original ↗

(5/5)

I did the four-day course, two days of pool training and two days on the liveaboard. It was professional and well organised, and Anna and Linnea were a great help getting me through.

Jason Zhang Verified· Travelled 24th September 2026

Read original ↗

(5/5)

I did my Open Water course with Dani, two days in the pool then two days at sea on the liveaboard. I felt safe, supported and well taught throughout, and the liveaboard had great service and delicious food.

Emma Pritchard Verified· Travelled 23rd September 2026

Read original ↗

(5/5)

I had the best time on the four-day, one-night Open Water course. Stephen is an excellent teacher, supportive and engaging.

Nina Eliza Verified· Travelled 23rd July 2026

Read original ↗