Reef Encounter 4 Day SSI Personalised Open Water Dive Course

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Learn to scuba dive on a 4-day, 3-night liveaboard Open Water course and become a qualified scuba diver on the Great Barrier Reef. You live, eat, sleep and train aboard the dive training boat Reef Encounter.

Days

4 days, 3 nights

Age

12+; under 15s with an adult

Group size

4 students per instructor

Start / finish

Cairns / Cairns

Return

See itinerary for details

Accommodation

Ensuite cabin on the Reef Encounter liveaboard, twin or double

Transport

Boat from Cairns to the liveaboard; bus transfers not included

Meals

All meals on board, with fruit, tea and coffee

Route

Map of Reef Encounter 4 Day SSI Personalised Open Water Dive Course

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Included experiences

Outer Great Barrier Reef — Open Water dive training
Night dive on the reef
Three fun dives after training
Several outer reef locations during the stay

Reef Encounter 4 Day SSI Personalised Open Water Dive Course

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

DAY 1: CAIRNS TO THE OUTER REEF

Check in at Cairns Marlin Marina early in the morning and board Reef Experience, the day boat that runs out to Reef Encounter. On the two-hour trip a marine biologist talks about the reef. At the edge of the Great Barrier Reef you step across to Reef Encounter, a 35 metre catamaran that stays out on the reef, and meet your instructor. There are never more than four students to one instructor. All your theory and training happen on board, and every dive is in the ocean, not a pool. Your first training dives begin in shallow, sheltered water.

Overnight: On board Reef Encounter, outer Great Barrier Reef (ensuite cabin)

DAYS 2 AND 3: TRAINING DIVES AND A NIGHT DIVE

Two full days on the reef. Your instructor moves you step by step from skills in the shallows, like clearing your mask and sharing air, to deeper dives where you plan and lead the dive yourselves. An Open Water Diver can dive to 18 metres. The captain moves the boat between the outer reefs most mornings and afternoons, choosing by weather and tide: Hastings Reef, about 50 km north-east of Cairns, Saxon Reef, about 55 km out, Norman Reef, Breaking Patches and Michaelmas Reef, around a sand cay where sooty terns and common noddies nest. One evening you dive after dark with torches, when parrotfish sleep in mucus bubbles and reef sharks hunt. Dinner, the outdoor hot tub and the stars follow.

Overnight: On board Reef Encounter, outer Great Barrier Reef (ensuite cabin)

DAY 4: FUN DIVES AND BACK TO CAIRNS

Over the course you make ten day dives and a night dive: eight training dives, then three fun dives where you simply enjoy the reef as a newly qualified diver. Your final dives, then the instructor signs off your SSI Open Water Diver certification, recognised around the world, and you take your own logbook home. In the early to mid afternoon you step across to Reef Experience for the two-hour run back to Cairns Marlin Marina, arriving in the late afternoon. Remember to leave at least 18 hours after your last dive before you fly.

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Good to know

Minimum age: 12 years. Children under 15 must be with a parent or adult.
Fitness: You must be able to swim at a basic level, and complete and have approved a medical statement.
Dietary needs: All dietary requirements are catered for; let us know when booking.
Accommodation note: Rooms are twin share by default; ask when booking if you'd like a double bed.
Please note: After booking you'll be emailed an online training lesson to complete before the course. It is recommended, not compulsory.

What to bring

Hat
Sunglasses
Light jacket
Socks
Camera
Travel voucher
Cash or credit card for extras on board

What is included

3 nights in an ensuite cabin on Reef Encounter, with towels
SSI Open Water certification on completion
10 daytime dives and 1 night dive
All scuba equipment, including a dive computer
Course materials and your own diver's logbook
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert, with fresh fruit, tea and coffee all day
All reef levies

Not included

Bus transfers
Nitrox
Top Deck Club upgrade (minimum 2 people)
Barista coffee, soft drinks, alcohol and snacks
T-shirts, hats and photos
Peak season surcharge of $100 per person, paid on board, for travel over Christmas (23 December to 1 January) and Easter

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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)

We spent four days on board, and sleeping on the reef is surreal. My husband and I completed our Open Water course with instructor David, who made me feel safe even though I was very nervous. The crew were lovely and bent over backwards to help.

Helen Tranter Verified· Travelled 24th July 2025

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