Divers Den PADI Advanced Course (3 Day 2 Night Liveaboard)

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Earn your PADI Advanced Open Water certification over three days and two nights living on the outer Great Barrier Reef aboard OceanQuest. The second night gives you more time in the water than the two-day course, with a night dive possible on each evening.

Days

3 days, 2 nights

Age

12 and over, with an Open Water certification

Group size

Dive course on a shared liveaboard

Start / finish

Cairns / outer Great Barrier Reef / Cairns
Cairns, around 5pm

Return

Cairns, around 5pm

Accommodation

2 nights on board OceanQuest, twin or double cabin with en-suite

Transport

Day boat to the reef, liveaboard OceanQuest, transfer boat back to Cairns

Meals

All meals on board from lunch on day 1 to lunch on day 3

Route

Map of Divers Den PADI Advanced Course (3 Day 2 Night Liveaboard)

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Included experiences

Outer Great Barrier Reef — five adventure dives toward PADI Advanced Open Water
Deep dive — learn to plan and dive deeper, up to 30 metres once certified
Underwater navigation — find your way with a compass and natural features
Night dives — offered on both evenings on the reef
OceanQuest — two nights on a 35 metre dive catamaran moored at the reef

Divers Den PADI Advanced Course (3 Day 2 Night Liveaboard)

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

DAY 1: CAIRNS TO THE OUTER REEF AND OCEANQUEST

Your trip starts with a morning pick-up from your Cairns city accommodation, or you can check in yourself at the Divers Den centre on Draper Street. The day boat leaves Cairns Marlin Marina on Trinity Inlet for 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. Your adventure dives begin with your instructor at two sites, with lunch on board in between. In the afternoon you cross to OceanQuest, a three-deck, 35 metre catamaran built for diving, settle into your en-suite cabin and go in again. After dinner there's the chance of a night dive, when the corals open their polyps to feed in the dark.

Overnight: On board OceanQuest at the outer reef

DAY 2: A FULL DAY ON NORMAN, SAXON AND HASTINGS REEFS

OceanQuest stays out on the reef, so there's no travel today, only diving, eating and lying on the sundeck. The boat works from its own moorings at Norman Reef, Saxon Reef and Hastings Reef, which sit close together on the outer reef north-east of Cairns. Over the course you make a boat dive, a peak performance buoyancy dive, a navigation dive with compass and natural landmarks, and a deep dive. Watch the colours on the way down: water absorbs red light first, so a red fish looks brown at 20 metres. Your fifth dive is one you choose. In the evening there's another night dive, or for an extra cost a fluoro dive, where blue torches make the corals glow green and orange.

Overnight: On board OceanQuest at the outer reef

DAY 3: LAST DIVES AND BACK TO CAIRNS

After breakfast there are two more dive sessions in the morning, and you need to be out of the water from your last dive by around midday. Keep an eye out for the giant Maori wrasse, also called the humphead wrasse, which can grow to 2 metres and live for more than 30 years, and for turtles grazing over the coral. Lunch is on board, then the transfer boat collects you in the afternoon for the run home. You're back at your accommodation at about 5pm as a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, trained to dive deeper than the 18 metres of your first card.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from Cairns city accommodation, or check in at the Divers Den dive centre, 319 Draper Street, Cairns, between about 7:30 and 8am.
Finishes: Back at your Cairns accommodation at about 5pm on day 3.
Minimum age: 12, with a Junior Open Water or Open Water certification. Under 16s must have a parent, guardian or nominated adult with them; 16 and 17 year olds can go alone with written parental consent; you must be 18 to stay on the liveaboard without an adult.
Fitness: You need PADI Open Water or an equal certification and must complete a self-assessed medical form; some conditions and medicines need a doctor's clearance first.
Dietary needs: Special diets can be catered for when you give notice at booking.
Accommodation note: OceanQuest has 18 twin and 4 double cabins, all air-conditioned with an en-suite. Twin share with another guest is the standard; same-gender sharing can't be guaranteed.
Please note: Under Queensland's code of practice, wait 24 hours after several days of repeat dives before flying or going above 300 metres, which includes the Atherton Tablelands.

What to bring

Your certification card and logbook
Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Swimsuit and a towel for the dive deck
Overnight bag with warm clothes and socks for the nights
Toiletries and a reusable water bottle
Seasickness tablets if you need them

What is included

PADI Advanced Open Water course with full tuition
Five adventure dives on the outer Great Barrier Reef
Two nights on OceanQuest in an air-conditioned cabin with en-suite, bedding and towels
All meals on board, with chilled water, tea and coffee
All snorkel and scuba gear, including a dive computer, and air fills
Return transfers from Cairns city accommodation
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park environmental charge

Not included

Soft drinks, alcohol and snacks from the bar
Nitrox fills, guided fun dives and fluoro diving
Digital camera hire and photos
A doctor's medical clearance, if you need one

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

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.

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.

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.