Sunlover Reef Cruises Sunlover Dive: Open Water Course

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Become a certified SSI Open Water Diver over 3 days at Moore Reef: 9 dives, salt water from start to finish, with no pool and no classroom.

Days

3 days

Age

Group size

Max 4 per instructor

Start / finish

Cairns / Cairns

Return

See itinerary for details

Accommodation

Not included — stay in Cairns

Transport

Boat transfers from Cairns to Moore Reef Pontoon each day

Meals

Buffet lunch each day

Route

Map of Sunlover Reef Cruises Sunlover Dive: Open Water Course

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Included experiences

Moore Reef — 4 open water training dives to 18 m
Sunlover pontoon training centre — 5 confined-water dives
SSI Open Water Diver certification
Final exam and certification review on the boat back to Cairns

Sunlover Reef Cruises Sunlover Dive: Open Water Course

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE: THEORY AT HOME

The classroom part of this course happens on your phone or laptop before you leave home. SSI's online learning covers six sections of dive theory, so every day in Cairns is spent on the reef, not in a room. Finish the medical questionnaire at home too, so nothing holds you back on day one.

DAY 1: OUT TO MOORE REEF AND YOUR FIRST BREATHS UNDERWATER

Each course day travels on Sunlover's Moore Reef day trip from the Reef Fleet Terminal in Cairns, and your instructor uses the crossing for briefings. Moore Reef lies about 47 km offshore on the outer Great Barrier Reef, World Heritage-listed since 1981. There is no pool on this course. Your first dives are in Sunlover's sheltered training area at the pontoon, 1 to 3 metres deep and shallow enough to stand up in, where you learn to clear your mask, share air and control your buoyancy in real seawater with reef fish swimming past. Three dives a day, about 40 minutes each, with a buffet lunch between them.

FROM THE TRAINING AREA TO THE REEF

Over the first days you complete five confined-water dives, then move out onto the reef itself for four open water training dives, starting at a minimum of 5 metres. Coral gardens grow close to the pontoon, and a coral wall drops away a short swim from it. Look for sea fans, schools of reef fish sheltering in the pontoon's shade, and the resident Maori wrasse, a fish that can grow to 2 metres long and often swims right up to divers.

DAY 3: DEEPER DIVES AND YOUR CERTIFICATION

The last open water dives take you down to a maximum of 18 metres, the depth your new certification allows anywhere in the world. Your final exam and certification review happen on the boat back to Cairns, so you step off at the Reef Fleet Terminal as a qualified SSI Open Water Diver. The digital card arrives on your phone through the SSI app, usually the same day, and it never expires.

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Good to know

Meeting point: 1 Spence St, Cairns City, each day.
Minimum age: 10. Under 15s are certified as Junior Open Water Divers and must dive under direct supervision of a dive professional or a certified adult until they turn 15. Ages 10–11 are capped at 12 m and 12–14 at 18 m.
Fitness: A water fitness evaluation is required before any open water dive: a 200 m swim with no aids (or 300 m with mask, snorkel and fins), no time limit but no stopping or standing, plus 10 minutes floating or treading water out of your depth.
Please note: This is the SSI Open Water Diver program (ISO 24801-2), run at a ratio of 4 students to 1 instructor. If you have already completed theory and confined water elsewhere, a referral option is available.

What to bring

Swimwear (worn under the wetsuit or stinger suit provided)
Towel
Reef-safe sunscreen
Photo ID
A smartphone or laptop to complete the SSI digital learning before day 1
Completed RSTC Diver Medical – Participant Questionnaire. Any 'yes' answer needs a signed Physician's Evaluation before you enter the water — sort this out at home, not on the reef

What is included

SSI digital learning and all training materials
SSI Open Water Instructor for the full course
All scuba equipment for the course
Transfers to and from Moore Reef Pontoon each day
5 confined-water and 4 open water training dives
Buffet lunch each day
SSI Open Water Diver digital certification card (on successful completion)

Not included

Accommodation in Cairns
Dive medical assessment, if the medical questionnaire calls for a Physician's Evaluation
Underwater photos or video
Gratuities

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.

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)

I did my open water certification with Heeyoung as my instructor. She was attentive and kind, explained everything and helped wherever she could.

Paul Schwamberger Verified· Travelled 25th October 2026

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