Quicksilver Dive PADI 4 Day Learn to Dive

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Quicksilver Dive's PADI Four Day Open Water Dive Certification course in Port Douglas: two days of classroom and pool training, then two days of training dives on the Great Barrier Reef.

Days

4 days

Age

10 and over

Group size

Small group, max 4

Start / finish

Port Douglas / Port Douglas

Return

See itinerary for details

Accommodation

Not included — stay in Port Douglas

Transport

Coach from Port Douglas accommodation, dive catamaran to the outer reef

Meals

Lunch, morning and afternoon tea each day

Route

Map of Quicksilver Dive PADI 4 Day Learn to Dive

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Included experiences

Port Douglas — classroom and pool training at a PADI 5 Star dive centre
Outer Great Barrier Reef — four training dives
Outer reef — up to two fun dives once qualified
PADI Open Water certification

Quicksilver Dive PADI 4 Day Learn to Dive

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

DAY 1: CLASSROOM AND POOL IN PORT DOUGLAS

The coach collects you from your accommodation for Quicksilver Dive's training centre on Warner Street in Port Douglas, the town's only purpose-built PADI 5 Star IDC centre, with a heated pool and air-conditioned classrooms. You meet the instructor who stays with you all four days, in a class of no more than four. In the classroom you cover how pressure changes as you go down, how your gear works and how to plan a safe dive. Then into the pool, where you take your first breaths underwater in water that never gets cold. Lunch, morning and afternoon tea are included every day.

Overnight: Port Douglas (your own accommodation)

DAY 2: SKILLS UNTIL THEY'RE EASY

A second day split between the classroom and the heated pool. You practise until the skills come without thinking: clearing water from your mask, finding a lost regulator, sharing air with your buddy and controlling your buoyancy so you float level, neither sinking nor rising. With so few students, there is time to go over anything that doesn't click the first time. By the afternoon you're ready for the real thing, and the reef is waiting.

Overnight: Port Douglas (your own accommodation)

DAY 3: FIRST DIVES ON THE OUTER REEF

The coach collects you from your Port Douglas accommodation for the marina, where you board Poseidon, a 24 metre dive catamaran, or Silversonic, at 29 metres the bigger of the two. Both leave at 8:30am for the Agincourt Ribbon Reefs, which line the very edge of the continental shelf, where the clear water of the Coral Sea washes the coral. The skipper picks three sites each day to suit the weather, from coral gardens to bommies and walls. Today you start your four training dives, repeating your pool skills in open water, then simply looking around.

Overnight: Port Douglas (your own accommodation)

DAY 4: OPEN WATER DIVER

A second day on the reef aboard Poseidon or Silversonic, where you finish your training dives. At the end of the day you are a PADI Open Water Diver, certified to dive with a buddy to 18 metres anywhere in the world. If time allows you get up to two more dives, just for fun, or you can count them towards Advanced Open Water. Look for green turtles, giant clams and reef sharks resting on the sand. You're back at Port Douglas marina at about 4:30pm with your log book.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Return coach transfers from Port Douglas accommodation.
Minimum age: 10 years. Children aged 10 and 11 have special requirements — check with Quicksilver Dive before booking.
Fitness: You must be able to swim 200 metres (or 300 metres with mask, fins and snorkel) and tread water for 10 minutes.
Please note: Before the course you complete a self-assessment Student Diver Medical Declaration. If you answer yes to any question, you need a dive medical certificate stating you are fit to dive, obtained before the course and no more than 90 days old when you start.

What to bring

Swimwear
Towel
Dive medical, if required
Passport or Australian driver's licence

What is included

Return coach transfers from Port Douglas accommodation
Morning and afternoon tea
Lunch every day
All dive equipment and use of prescription masks
Same dive instructor for all 4 days
Heated dive pool on days 1 and 2
2 day trips to the outer reef on days 3 and 4
4 open water dives on the reef, plus up to 2 fun dives if successful and time allows
PADI Gold Open Water certification
Dive log book

Not included

Accommodation

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

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 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.

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 1 review

Verified from

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

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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.

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(5/5)

We came from Canberra to certify as a family, two adults and a 12-year-old, and did the four-day course as we couldn't fit in the e-learning beforehand. Every team member was kind, and our instructor India S went above and beyond.

Morgan Eddey Verified· Travelled 14th October 2025

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