Pro Dive Cairns 2 Day Pool & Theory Referral Program

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Do the classroom and pool half of your PADI Open Water course in two days at Pro Dive Cairns' training centre in the middle of town, then take your referral paperwork to finish the four ocean dives wherever you like, on the Great Barrier Reef or back home. Gear, manual, log book and Cairns city pick-ups are all included.

Days

2 days

Age

10 years and over

Group size

Up to 8 students per instructor

Start / finish

Cairns city / Pro Dive training centre, Spence Street / Cairns city
Cairns city accommodation, about 5:30pm each day

Return

Cairns city accommodation, about 5:30pm each day

Transport

Return transfers from Cairns city accommodation

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Pro Dive Cairns 2 Day Pool & Theory Referral Program

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Included experiences

Classroom — PADI Open Water theory and exam
Heated training pool — first breaths underwater and core scuba skills
Gear walk-through — hands-on with the scuba kit you will use
Referral paperwork — carry it to finish your ocean dives anywhere

Pro Dive Cairns 2 Day Pool & Theory Referral Program

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

DAY 1: THE CLASSROOM AND YOUR FIRST BREATHS UNDERWATER

The day starts with a pick-up from your hotel in Cairns, a town founded in 1876 as the port for the Hodgkinson goldfield, and a short ride to Pro Dive Cairns' training centre on Spence Street. It is a PADI 5 Star centre with two heated training pools, each 4 metres deep. The morning is theory from the PADI Open Water Manual in your own language: pressure, gear and dive planning. Lunch is a break in town, so bring some cash. In the afternoon you step into the pool, sink below the surface and take your first breath through a regulator. Your instructor adds the basic skills one at a time, with no more than eight students in the water.

DAY 2: THE GEAR, MORE SKILLS AND THE EXAM

Day two starts hands-on with the scuba kit itself, setting up and checking the gear you'll use until it becomes routine. Then it's back into the pool to build on yesterday, with skills such as clearing water from your mask, recovering a dropped regulator and getting your buoyancy right, so you can hover without touching the bottom. It's a calm, shallow place to repeat anything that felt awkward until it doesn't. The afternoon brings the last theory session and the exam. Pass it and your instructor signs your PADI referral paperwork, the proof that the classroom and pool half of your Open Water course is done. The bus takes you back to your hotel in the evening.

AFTER THE COURSE: YOUR OCEAN DIVES

With the paperwork, your log book, the manual and two passport photos for your certification card, you choose where to finish. The four open water training dives can be done with any PADI instructor, here or back home. The obvious place is the Great Barrier Reef, at about 2,300 kilometres the largest coral reef system on earth. Pro Dive's own way to finish is a three-day liveaboard on the outer reef: your four training dives first, then five more as a certified diver, one of them a guided night dive when corals feed and the reef's night shift comes out. Either way, the hardest part is already behind you.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pro Dive Cairns training centre, 116 Spence Street, Cairns, or a pick-up from Cairns city accommodation. There are no pick-ups from private homes, holiday rentals or the airport; you are collected from the nearest hotel or pick-up point instead.
Departure time: Courses start most days of the week, never on a Sunday. Days run from about 8am to 5:30pm with transfers; exact times are confirmed when you book.
Minimum age: 10, the minimum age to learn to dive in Queensland. There is no upper age limit.
Fitness: You must be able to swim 200 metres, or snorkel 300 metres, and tread water or float for 10 minutes.
Please note: Before the course you fill in the PADI student diver medical form. If you answer yes to any question you need a doctor's dive medical certificate, dated within 90 days of the course start. Tell your instructor straight away if you feel unwell or anxious at any point.

What to bring

Swimwear
Towel
Sunscreen
Cash for lunch
Passport or Australian driver's licence
Your dive medical certificate, if you need one

What is included

Two days of classroom and pool training with a PADI instructor
All dive equipment, including a prescription mask if needed
PADI Open Water Manual (English, German, French, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Chinese, Korean, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Portuguese or Spanish)
Log book
PADI referral paperwork
2 passport photos for your certification
Classroom stationery
Dive insurance
Return transfers from Cairns city accommodation each day

Not included

Lunch (bring cash to buy it)
Open water training dives to finish your certification
A dive medical, if you need one
Pick-ups from the Northern Beaches (extra cost)

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.