Ningaloo Reef Dive and Snorkel Open Water Dive Course

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Learn to scuba dive in three days in Coral Bay, finishing with four open water dives on Ningaloo Reef. Your boat days are usually spent on the manta ray tour, so between dives you may get to snorkel with mantas.

Days

3 days

Age

14 years and over

Group size

Up to 6 students per instructor

Start / finish

Coral Bay / Coral Bay
Coral Bay dive shop, around 3:30pm on boat days

Return

Coral Bay dive shop, around 3:30pm on boat days

Accommodation

Not included; stay in Coral Bay

Transport

Dive boat, with a bus from the shop to the jetty

Meals

Lunch, morning and afternoon tea on the two boat days

Route

Map of Ningaloo Reef Dive and Snorkel Open Water Dive Course

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Included experiences

Coral Bay dive shop — classroom theory and pool skills
Ningaloo Reef — four guided open water dives
Batemans Bay — chance to snorkel with manta rays
PADI Open Water — certification on completion

Ningaloo Reef Dive and Snorkel Open Water Dive Course

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Itinerary

Map

DAY 1: CLASSROOM AND POOL

The course starts at the small PADI dive shop in the Coral Bay Arcade. Your instructor takes you through the theory and the basic skills you need to dive safely: breathing underwater, clearing your mask, controlling your buoyancy and looking after your buddy. Then you put them into practice in confined water, usually a pool, before you go anywhere near the sea. Coral Bay is a small town of a few hundred people in the southern half of the Ningaloo coast, and by the end of the day you'll have done your first breaths underwater.

DAY 2: FIRST OPEN WATER DIVES

Meet at the shop at 8am to be fitted with gear, including a 5 mm full-length wetsuit, then ride the bus to the jetty. Your boat days are usually spent on the shop's manta ray tour. You make your first two open water dives on the Ningaloo Reef, 260 km long and one of the largest fringing reefs in the world, where sites sit between 4 and 12 metres. With your instructor you repeat the skills from the pool. Between reef sessions the boat heads into Batemans Bay, where a spotter plane looks for the bay's resident manta rays; if they're found, you can snorkel with them. Lunch, morning and afternoon tea are on board, and you're back at the shop at about 3:30pm.

DAY 3: CERTIFIED

The last day follows the same pattern, with your third and fourth open water dives. Turtles, reef sharks and plenty of tropical fish live on these reefs, and you'll have more time to simply enjoy them. There's another chance to swim with mantas between dives. Once your fourth dive is done you're a certified PADI Open Water diver, able to dive anywhere in the world with a buddy.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Ningaloo Reef Dive, Shop 8, Coral Bay Arcade, 46 Robinson Street, Coral Bay. On boat days you meet there at 8am and a bus takes you to the jetty.
Finishes: Back at the shop at around 3:30pm on each boat day.
Minimum age: 14 years.
Fitness: You need to be comfortable in the water. Dive sites are shallow, 4 to 12 metres, and water is around 20 to 26°C in summer.
Please note: The course needs at least two people to run. Manta rays are searched for with a spotter plane but are never certain. The operator follows a no-touch rule for all marine life.

What is included

PADI Open Water course over 3 days
Classroom theory and confined water (pool) training
Four open water dives from the boat, usually on the manta ray tour
Scuba equipment, including a full-length 5 mm wetsuit
Buffet lunch, morning tea and afternoon tea on the boat days
PADI Open Water certification on completion

Not included

Accommodation in Coral Bay
Meals on the classroom day (none are listed)

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 2 reviews

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)

I did my Open Water Diver course and couldn't have asked for better. Harriet was a patient, encouraging instructor who made sure everyone felt safe and explained everything clearly, and the rest of the crew were friendly and professional.

Esther Murphy Verified· Travelled 17th June 2026

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